the swine flu

so by now everyone is probably aware of the swine flu -- if you're not, then you live in a bubble, so turn on the news for 20 seconds and you'll hear it.

Q: what is the swine flu?

A: Influenza is a virus that infects people, birds, pigs and other animals such as ferrets. Swine flu, or swine influenza, is a form of the virus that normally infects pigs. There are many forms of flu, and the different varieties have the ability to exchange genes with one another. The form of flu that originated in Mexico is a genetic mixture of viruses that have been seen in pigs, birds and people. It’s being called a swine flu because the overall structure of the virus is of the type that affects pigs, said Keiji Fukuda, a WHO official.

some are saying that is this is the pandemic that we've been overdue for for a couple years, some are saying it's no big deal.

Q: What’s a flu pandemic?

A: Flu pandemics occur when new influenza viruses emerge that spread quickly and few people have immunity to them. While influenza viruses were only discovered about a century ago, researchers believe flu pandemics hit about
twice or three times each century. Some pandemics are relatively mild, killing
just a few million people globally. The most severe flu pandemic on record was
the 1918 Spanish Flu, and researchers estimate it killed about 50 million people
around the world.

i have no plans to debate whether or not we're all going to be wiped out, but i do know this: our prophets and leader have been counseling us for years and years build our food storage, be self-reliant, save some money for a rainy day and to be prepared so we can take care of our families and each other for when the time comes that it is necessary. this scare with the swine flu is a really great reminder for us to really evaluate or own levels of preparedness for ourselves and our families and to see if there is anything else we can be doing to be better prepared, just in case.

Q: so what should we be doing now?

A: keep working on your 3-month supply. if you had to stay inside for anywhere from a matter of days up until a few months, could you?

remember to think of ALL the things you would need - not just food. remember items like prescription medications, cash, diapers, baby wipes, and on and on. make a list of the things that your family specifically needs.

everyone should stock up on items like bleach, disinfectant wipes, trash bags, laundry detergent, paper towels, toilet paper, alcohol-based hand sanitizer and other items that you would need to keep your home as germ-free as possible.

at this point, the us government has declared this a "public health emergency," but has not yet declared the swine flu a pandemic, although has acknowledged that it could come to that. there is no need to panic, but let's all take extra precautions:

Q: How else can I protect myself from swine flu?

A: Personal hygiene measures, such as avoiding people who are coughing or sneezing and frequent hand-washing, may prevent flu infection. Those who aren’t health professionals should avoid contact with sick people, or those who are coughing or sneezing. People who get sick with flu symptoms should stay home. Studies have suggested that closing schools, theaters, and canceling gatherings in the early stages of a pandemic can limit its spread. Such measures would likely take place if health officials determine that the virus is spreading quickly enough and is deadly enough to cause a pandemic.

but really, this is a good kick in the butt to keep building up your supply and make sure that if this did become the worst case scenario, you and your family would be protected and prepared.

this article has a great q&a about the swine flu and it's symptoms, how it spreads and how to prevent it.

and this is kind of cool, it's a map that tracks confirmed cases of the swine flu. if it's going to freak you out and make you check every 25 minutes to see if it's near you, don't look at it. but if not, you can stay up to date.