Opinion piece: Don't be ostrichlike about possible bird flu

Compare this opinion piece with what Europen authority figures are saying. Well, it is not really an opinion piece, but more a mix of a report and interview. I belive this is as level headed as one can get. The message Dr. Larry Jecha gives is valuable and real, not panicky in any way, but full of good advice for a bad situation. We in Europe should take it to our hearts and make it our own.

His efforts include educating the community about specific steps that businesses, schools, emergency services and individuals can take to be ready if a mutated form of the virus attacks humanity.

Of course, the world's prayers and hopes are that the warnings will soon appear badly overblown, like the mad cow scare that had Americans avoiding beef for awhile, or the SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) threat that led would-be travelers to cancel trips abroad.

But in the meantime, it's smart to prepare for the worst. Having extra food, water and supplies on hand is a good idea in any case. It wouldn't take more than a freak snow storm to make the effort worthwhile.

But if the unthinkable hits, especially if it hits as hard and fast as predicted, that supply kit suddenly becomes very valuable. Being able to isolate yourself until the danger passes may mean the difference between life and death.

Community preparedness reaches beyond the scope of a couple of cans of tuna fish and some bottled water, though.

A backup plan for emergency services and businesses makes sense, too.

Aside from the safety standpoint, businesses would be prudent to come up with a backup plan of how to stay afloat in case one-third of their employees suddenly take ill.

Michael Leavitt, secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, summed it up nicely: "Anything you say before a pandemic sounds alarmist and anything you say after a pandemic is inadequate."

We hope the pending pandemic from bird flu turns out to be as overstated as Chicken Little's cry, "The sky is falling."

But if not, we can't afford to be caught like an ostrich with our heads in the sand.

Source: Tri-City Herald: Don't be ostrichlike about possible bird flu

I would suggest you read the full article, as it is very good, in my opinion.

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