In a bird flu pandemic, more people might die from other causes than from bird flu itself.

And I DON’T mean ‘natural’ causes.

Even if you’ve stocked up your home with all the food, water and immune system boosting herbs you’ll need for the next 3 months and you’re all set to sit there and read WAR AND PEACE until the bird flu virus burns itself out — you could still be at great risk.

If you really want to live through the bird flu pandemic, you better have a plan to avoid human germs as well as the bird flu virus.

On a bird flu discussion forum, someone recently posted this advice — stop tell your neighbors you’re storing food and water for the bird flu pandemic. Stop trying to convince them to do the same thing. Make your preparations in secret. Because when there’s no more food at the grocery store, and their kids are hungry, they’re going to remember that you’ve stored food — and they’re going to come knocking at your door.

Truly sad words, but obviously have a truth to them.

You definately must think just as hard about the nature of your neighbors as about the nature of bird flu itself.

You must assume that law and order as we take it for granted now will not exist or will be enforced only sporadically.

Your local police are 95% great people with a strong sense of duty. But some of them will catch bird flu too and some will die from it. Some of them will feel their greatest duty is to protect their own families. Others will stay on the job but will be too stretched and stressed out to keep order on every square block of their territory. This is especially true of rural areas. And you cannot depend on the 911 system, which will likely be overwhelmed. And if they’re no dispatchers to take calls and send messages — and no more ambulance drivers or police cars available — what good is it?

At some point the government may step in and declare martial law, but we don’t have enough soldiers to stand on every street corner in the world.

Many neighborhoods will band together for mutual protection.

Many people will band together so they can loot and kill with impunity.

Some people will surprise you. Some gangbangers will use their guns and street organization to defend the people in their hood.

Some “nice” people will take advantage of the lack of civilized constraints to do some not so nice things.

If your neighbors already know you’re a bird flu kook, it’s too late now to start preparing in secret — and probably it doesn’t matter.

Because if your neighbors get together and decide to go house to house, how’re you going to stop them?

And I don’t mean they’ll be doing it for bad reasons. Neighbors should be keeping tabs on each other to see who’s got bird flu. Who needs food cooked and delivered to their door. Who has small children who need watching?

I can understand the stock up on supplies and lock up the door against the world mentality — I pretty much share it.

But realistically, you’ll stand a better chance of surviving the pandemic if your neighborhood works together — including you.

Because many neighborhoods are going to have to defend themselves against outsiders — and you don’t want to be seen as an outsider who just happens to live on the same block.

You want to be seen as one of the group. As someone smart enough to foresee the pandemic and prepare for it, you should assume a leadership role.

The better you get along with your neighbors now, despite being laughed at for storing food, the more likely you are to keep enough of that food and water for your family.

If your neighbors really are the kind of people you don’t want knocking at your door (and I’ve lived in neighborhoods like that, myself) — then plan now to get out.

You should do what you can to get out of such a neighborhood anyway, bird flu or now bird flu.

One extremely huge security risk that would come from a bird flu pandemic is nuclear power plants.

Right now, about 17% of the world’s electricity is produced by nuclear power plants.

There’re over 400 nuclear power plants currently in operation around the world — over 100 of them in the United States alone.

The total varies a lot by country. France relies on nuclear power more than any other country — using nuclear power to generate 75% of the country’s electricity.

The United States currently gets about 15% of its electricity from nuclear power. That is an overall percentage. Your area may be much higher or lower.

Although the construction of nuclear power plants has stopped in the United States and almost all of Europe, due to concerns about the safety of these plants and of what to do with the nuclear waste generated by them, it’s continuing in Asia and some other areas.

Disclaimer: I was a anti-nuke activist at one time. I worked extensively on an electoral petition drive which would have banned the operation of nuclear power plants in the state of Missouri until there was a safe, permanant storage facility for nuclear waste. That was 1980, not a good election to promote anything at all “liberal,” so our proposal failed to pass.

But it’s possible we played at least a small part in Union Electric’s decision to cancel their proposed Calloway II nuclear power plant.

I used to be completely proud of that. Now, I’m not so sure. I haven’t completely turned around on this issue, as I have on so many I used to be a leftwing radical on. I recognize the world’s great need for electricity. However, all the nuclear waste bothers me. After all the half-life of plutonium is 250,000 years.

Of course, the greatest potential danger from a nuclear power plant is the meltdown of its core.

The heart of a nuclear reactor is the core where uranium enriched with U-235 sits.

The U-235 is split, making it give off two or three neutrons. If these neutrons strike other U-235 atoms, then they are split and the nuclear fission reaction continues as long as there’re atoms of U-235.

This fission reaction gives off heat, which is used to heat water to steam, which turns a turbine which creates electricity.

So nuclear power is basically just a fancy way to boil water.

If, on average, less than one neutron hits another U-235 atom, then the reaction is called sub-critical and the reaction will die out.

If, on average, one neutron hits one other U-235 atom, then the reaction is called critical and the reaction will continue. Nuclear power plants maintain this level to generate a stable amount of heat to run the turbine.

If, on average, one neutron hits more than one other U-235, then the reaction is called supercritical.

This is where it gets dangerous. Contrary to what some fear, the core of a nuclear reactor can’t go off like an atomic bomb — the U-235 is not that much enriched. The fission reaction can’t become supercritical fast enough to explode.

However, it can continue to heat up until the physical structure melts down and forms a superdense, superheavy ball. So heavy and dense that theground is not strong enough to hold it, so it falls through the soil of the Earth. In theory, it could go to the core of the planet and keep on until it reaches the opposite side.

Since the opposite side of the United States is China, we call this this the China Syndrome.

This would release a tremendous amount of radioactivity. If you watch the movie The China Syndrome you’ll hear an expert say it would render an area the size of Pennsylvania uninhabitable for eons.

The focus is usually on the area surrounding the site of the former nuclear power plant, but I think that the hole left on the other side of the planet would also release a lot of radioactivity.

I don’t know whether anybody’s ever asked geologists how sending a superdense ball through the core of the planet would affect its internal structure. Probably it would create at least some instability and cause volcanos and earthquakes.

A nuclear reactor meltdown is something no sane person wants to happen.

Unfortunately, there are some insane people out there — including many islamo-fascists who believe that their religion justifies any actions which kills infidels. As a note left by one of the Spanish train bombers reads: “You love life. We love death.”

Therefore, any country containing nuclear power plants must make protecting them their number one priority during a serious bird flu pandemic.

They must protect against accidental error due to a shortage of trained personnel. Plus they must protect against deliberate damage from a terrorist group taking advantage of the bird flu pandemic.

The level of the reaction in the core is adjusted by using control rods that absorb neutrons. If the fission reaction gets too strong, the people operating the plants must insert enough control rods to reduce it. Or stop it when necessary.

Plus, water is used to keep the core cool.

One danger will be that the plant is not properly taken care of, due to death and illness of employees.

Therefore, all nuclear power plant personnel should be kept isolated from the rest of the population. If they’ve possibly been exposed to bird flu, if possible they should remain in a quarantine for at least 5 days to make sure they’re not infected, before being in contact with the other people.

They should also receive all available medical care. They should have their own doctor and nurse and supply of antiviral medicines and nutritional supplements.

This includes nuclear plant security guards.

In fact, extra guards should be sent to watch over nuclear power plants to prevent terrorists attacks. Even if they must come from military units.

It might be impossible to quarantine these new security guards, so shifts should be kept separated from each other to reduce the chances that one of them will spread bird flu to others.

The military unit surrounding the power plant should remain on the perimeter so there’s no chance they spread an avian flu infection to either the regular plant guards or other plant workers.

If nuclear power plant personnel do start coming down with bird flu or feel that they cannot maintain a critical reaction at a safe level, for any reason — they should have orders to shut the reactor down with control rods to prevent a meltdown.

Another weak point is that the plant must be supplied with enough water to keep the core cool. Therefore, it’s critical that this source of water be safeguarded against problems caused either by bird flu death/illness or terrorists.

It would also be a good idea to patrol the air space above the power plant. If well constructed, they should be strong enough to withstand a direct hit from a crashed airplane, but who wants to depend on that?

Shipments of nuclear fuel to the power plant should be suspended if at all possible.

Shipments of nuclear waste from the power plant should certainly be suspended for the duration of the bird flu pandemic.

Although it is desirable to keep the power plant generating electricity throughout the pandemic, it may be pointless. That’s because shortage of electric utility personnel during the pandemic could create massive electrical shortages throughout the grids anyway.

If the power plant generates electricity but it doesn’t benefit anyone because too many wires are down and can’t be repaired, it’s smarter to just turn the plant down as far as possible — and the people working there should just wait out the pandemic.

During a bird flu pandemic, protecting nuclear power plants must be a country’s number one priority.

The H5N1 virus pandemic will kill many people, but certainly not everybody. And it will go away within 3 to 12 months.

A nuclear power plant will kill everybody within many miles, and radiation will continue as a health hazard for an uncountable number of generations.

Each day, we hear about new outbreaks of swine flu in another country or region. Though the disease has not yet reached epidemic proportions, it is spreading every day. But the issue is ; what type of flu pandemic preparation have you done. Store shelves containing flu masks along with all sorts of flu related products are bare as folks panic and horde existing supplies. The smartest people get everything that they would need beforehand.

So, what kind of swine flu pandemic preparation have you done? If you are like the general public, you’ve done nothing or done little or less.

For example, do you intend to use an flu mask? If so, you would be well served to buy them now. If an outbreak occurs in your area, they will sell out very quickly. You should also call your physician. He may recommend that you get a flu vaccine shot. and, last but not least, you should begin by making a list.

While speaking to your doctor, you must also mention any special circumstances regarding your situation. If you are pregnant, are immune compromised, suffer from asthma, COPD, or have some kind of respiration problem, your physician wants to know about it. He may make certain recommendations related to these conditions. If you are worried about the safety your family, do some swine flu pandemic preparation. At least, begin making that list. Take steps today to protect your family and friends from the swine influenza. Once a pandemic strikes, it may be too late.

If you are worried about the swine flu and the protection of your family, download my guide on How To Reduce Your Risk Of Swine Flu Infection By 98%. Download the entire system at Flu Pandemic Preparation!

But that doesn’t mean state and local officials aren’t hard at work preparing for it.

Many experts predict that if a worldwide influenza were to hit the U.S., it would first be seen in California. The state is uniquely situated to be the first hit by the virus: It borders Mexico, has trans-Pacific trade at its ports and airports, and is on the Pacific flyway used by migrating birds.

Any or all of those factors could make California an entry point for the H5N1 flu strain.

San Bernardino County officials say they’re preparing now.

“We are planning for the potential and how it would impact everyone in the county,” said Natalie Kessee, county program coordinator for preparedness and response. “We’re planning what we as a department need to do.”

The H5N1 strain of influenza is just one of the possible scourges that could lead to a pandemic, officials said. But by preparing for it, the state will become better equipped to deal with any natural or man-made disaster.

Avian flu is, as yet, largely a disease of birds, both wild and domestic. Its spread to humans has been spotty, but experts fear it could mutate into a form that could be transmitted human-to-human.

Kessee said the county has received $175,338 from the state Department of Health Services and expects more to help prepare for a potential flu pandemic. Preparations have been under way for months.

Kessee said the county is working with private and public agencies to buy ventilators, respirators and sundries such as sanitizers, gloves and masks.

They’re also checking on how to best ensure that the county has supplies of a flu vaccine, such as Tamiflu, in the event of a pandemic. That’s difficult to plan for, Kessee said, because such medicines have a limited shelf life.

And if supplies of a viral prophylactic are limited, the county will look to the Centers for Disease Control and the state to determine who gets inoculated. Likely, first responders such as medical professionals would be the priority, Kessee said.

The county will hire four or five more people devoted to emergency response in a pandemic, Kessee said.

Scott Smith, a registered nurse in the emergency room at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton and disaster coordinator for the hospital, said the county hospital holds regular drills to prepare for a pandemic disaster.

The hospital keeps caches of medications appropriate for a flu outbreak, Smith said. Also, there are plans to make room — in the hospital’s clinics, conference rooms or in other community facilities — to accommodate hundreds more patients.

“We’re hoping this never occurs,” Smith said. “But we’re doing drills much more frequently than in the past.”

Kessee said partnerships between public agencies and private businesses is a main focus of county efforts, and noted that it would be dangerous to rely on a large-scale national effort to protect county residents.

“The event would affect the county in multiple agencies,” she said. “It’s beyond something public health would handle alone.”

Dr. Mark Horton, state public health officer, said at a news conference Thursday that health experts worldwide are worried about avian flu. As many as one-third of the state’s population could become ill if the virus hit California, he said.

“An influenza pandemic knows no borders,” Horton said. “It would disrupt the health-care system, the economy — all facets of life.”

Officials from the governor’s office unveiled a plan to work with the 10 states along the U.S.-Mexico border –four in the U.S. and six in Mexico — to study the threat of a pandemic and make plans.

“The governor wants to strengthen our safety at customs, Border Patrol and so on,” said A.G. Kawamura, secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture.

“Smuggled birds could also pose a threat,” Kawamura said. “The international movement of people, goods and services has increased our vulnerability.”

The governor’s plan calls for stronger border security, improving public health monitoring, increased international cooperation in both surveillance and response to the virus, and outreach to poultry owners.

Sandra Shewry, director of California’s Department of Health Services, said in creating the binational council the state is improving an already-strong network of surveillance and response.

“The council will strengthen California’s already robust response,” Shewry said. “It will also strengthen our ability to react to natural or man-made disasters.”

To make sure you are fully prepared for the crisis check out : Bird Flu Preparations

killer flu virus is on its way. Ducks and geese carrying this virus are now winging their way across the globe, spreading the disease wherever they go. Started in Asia, it has now spread to Europe. Soon it will be in North and South America. So far it has only killed a few dozen humans. It is, after all, a virus that’s passed from bird to bird. Or from bird to animals. So far it can’t be transmitted from human to human. But flu viruses are crafty. They have the ability to change.

This is what happened in 1918 when the Spanish Flu Pandemic swept over a war weary planet killing 50 – 100 million people – far more than were killed in the war. This time it will be much worse. After all, we now have 4 times the number of people living on the planet. And most of them live in cities. Large, crowded cities. The five largest cities in the world have over 100 million people living in them.

A killer virus that can be passed from human to human, let loose in our major cities where people are living elbow to elbow, would have a catastrophic effect. And consider this…back in 1918 it was a much bigger world. It took weeks to get from one side of the world to the other. It took days to get from one side of the continent to the next. Today it takes hours. Last year more than 46 million international visitors came to the United States. If only one infected visitor passes on the virus to 2 others, who pass it on to 2 others, and so on, by the end of a month everyone in the US could be infected. I don’t even want to consider the implications if this idea ever occurs to muslim terrorists who are only too happy to blow themselves to bits in order to take out a few infidels.

So what can we do? Fortunately it’s not all doom and gloom. There are some very specific steps you can take to minimize the dangers and protect yourself and your loved ones.

1. Draw up a Plan. Outline the steps you and your family need to take, both pre-pandemic and during. Identify responsibilities for each family member. Make lists of supplies required. Find appropriate sources. Develop a realistic timeline. By establishing a plan now, you will avoid becoming a victim of the panic that will grip the general population, resulting in civil chaos and pandemonium.

2. Keep Informed. If and when the virus mutates so that it is being spread from human to human, it is likely to start in Southeast Asia. Pay attention to the news. When you hear that this has taken place, it’s time to act. We might only have weeks before the pandemic reaches North America, but with international travel so fast and easy it could be much sooner. Sign up for free newsletter notifications at http://www.survivetheflu.com .

3. Prepare Your Child for Home Schooling. Most flu outbreaks get their start at schools. You can be certain that the schools will be closed. And if they’re not, you should give very serious thought to keeping your children at home.

4. Minimize Contact with Others. The H5N1 avian flu virus can be transmitted for two days before a person is showing any symptoms and for a week after symptoms have disappeared. You never know who isn’t and who might be infected. If possible you should stay home. Every time you go into an area where there are people you are at risk.

5. Wash Your Hands Often. Sneeze particles can travel across a room at 600 miles per hour. If the person sneezing has the flu, everything in that room is covered with flu virus. And when you touch anything, the virus is transmitted to your hand. Eventually it will be transmitted to your mouth. Your only protection is to wash your hands, well and often. Each washing should involve vigorous scrubbing with soap for at least 20 seconds.

6. Stock up on Food & Water. Supermarkets only have enough food for about a week or less. It’s critical that you stock up on enough food to last you for the duration which could be 3-4 months.

7. Buy Enough Anti-Viral Medication for Every Member of your Family. Currently there are two drugs that can help mitigate the effects of the avian flu virus. One is called oseltamivir, or Tamiflu. It comes in a tablet form. The other is zanamivir, or Relenza, which is inhaled. You will need a prescription for either of these drugs. They should be taken within 2 days of the onset of symptoms and taken twice a day for 5 days. These drugs are in very short supply, especially Tamiflu which is considered the drug of first choice. You should attempt to secure enough for your family as soon as possible, since once a pandemic hits they will be impossible to obtain. Currently you should be able to buy them at your drug store, or you can order them online.

8. Stock up on Face Masks. You will need to wear these when you absolutely have to come into close contact with others. It’s likely that any public businesses or government offices that remain open will make it mandatory that you wear a mask before entering. Make sure that your mask has a rating of N100. The more common N95 masks will not give you enough protection. There is one mask — the NanoMask® — which not only blocks the H5N1 virus, but kills it as well.

9. Exercise. According to the American Council on Exercise, research has shown that moderate exercise (such as brisk walking) brings about measurable changes in the immune system, sending white blood cells zipping around the body to find intruders and kill them. But after a few hours, the immune system returns to normal so it’s best to exercise regularly.

10. Spread the Word. Regardless of how much coverage the avian threat is receiving in the media, most people are reluctant to act. Perhaps if they don’t acknowledge the danger they think it will somehow go away. Or maybe they think the government will look after the situation. Desperate, panic stricken people are arguably even more dangerous than the virus. The more people surrounding you who are prepared for the pandemic, the safer you will be. You’ll be secure in the knowledge that your neighbors won’t be eyeing your resources. So please spread the word.

And don’t give up, even though you may feel like the voice in the wilderness. Eventually, if they hear it often enough, some people will take notice. And then they will also spread the word. And in this way we’ll all be a little safer. “Up to one billion people could die around the whole world in six months…. We are half a step away from a worldwide pandemic catastrophe.” Dmitry K. Lvov, Director, D.I. Ivanovsky Institute of Virology, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences. Whether or not it will happen this year, and whether or not it will be as catastrophic as many virologists are predicting, one thing is clear: There WILL be a pandemic of unimaginable proportions some time soon. We can either bury our heads in the sand and hope it won’t happen, or we can begin taking immediate steps to ensure that in a worst case scenario, we’ve given ourselves and our loved ones the best possible chance for survival.