When it will be in the best interests of the American public that we too follow suit and not post anecdotes about where we are in an outbreak?

I am a patriot and I hate to think that we are divulging information, in innocence and with good intent, that could aid the enemies of our country in any way.

Being wise as serpents and harmless as doves may have more meaning and on more levels than we ever thought.

Perhaps I should write fiction but let me throw out a hypothetical scenario which could spell out what I am thinking. First off-this is purely hypothetical and not based on any intelligence that I have. I don't have any . What a play on words.

Say there was a country that did a lot of research into developing a bioterror weapons. This country deliberately exposed their countrymen to a milder form of the illness and then released the lethal form throughout the world. A bio nuclear bomb, if you will.

Then say all there innocent avian flu hunters exposed this nations jugular by revealing where we are in the timeline of infection by discussing cases in the US that were breaking out. Could that not weaken us as a nation? Even if this is a completely naturally occuring event, could this information also weaken us?

I have always been someone who sees large patterns and someone who thinks outside the box, to the extreme sometimes. I know this and try to keep my thoughts to myself if those thoughts are not going to benefit anyone.

Lately, I pray before each and every post so that my words will edify and not tear anyone down. Even if they seem harsh, as in medclinicians vetting. Sorry med? It was necessary for the long term. I needed to know who I was trusting for the good of my "family".

Now it boils down to what is good for the country.

A pandemic will weaken our nation. Our national security is at stake and that is not a hypothetical. We need to proceed lightly indeed. I know that this is imminent and I am not going to post any more "news" because for me it is not necessary. Along those lines, I will not be posting anecdotes of what I observe either.

I will support through any prepping ideas and support for anyone who feels panic stricken but I realize now that, whether this is months, days or hours away, this "window" may close on us and prepping advice and mental health support is the best we can do.

Just my opinion.

WWII-Lose lips sinks ships

Keep praying Beemom. We are all in this together-what has previously divided us now matters very little.

I have to add that this forum is bigger than any one person (except Albert of course). We all add a unique perspective and we all make extremely valuable contributions. I thank you for your praise and I hope I can always help.

We need to focus on the readiness to respond to all developments. 

vstr: I don't think it would be our country developing anything of the sort, but there are others led by leaders who seem to be a bit off in their thinking. We are at war and there are those out there bent on our destruction. We cannot take a myopic view of world events re: risks.

I listen mostly to Michael Osterholm, who says it is not "if" but when. Lately he has stated that a pandemic is "imminent".

It may be time to throw buckets of water to wake people up. Fear talk may be necessary. We don't want people to panic, but we don't want to keep calming people down either.

Yes, let go and let God. I am not panicing, I am calm and get what needs to be done, done for my family. I am not paralyzed with fear but I know this is coming, and sooner rather than later. I go on with my daily activities as if nothing is coming.

Peter Sandman is a risk communicator and he works for the CDC. Here is a link to his .pdf "Crisis and Risk Communication" a valuable resource when communicating for emergency preparedness. There is a time to express fear. It is useful in getting people prepared. Panic is not the goal but honestly communicating the risk is necessary.

Dr. Peter Sandman: Pandemic Flu and Other Infectious Diseases Index

Some quick links:

1. Be nice to the newbies.
2. Watch out for people’s adjustment reaction — and the authorities’ adjustment reaction.
3. Focus less on the pharmaceutical fix.
4. Focus more on worst case scenarios.
5. Focus more on non-medical preparedness.
6. Focus more on non-governmental and local preparedness.
7. Focus more on worldwide preparedness.
8. Get clear on the “pan” in “pandemic.”
9. Get clear on the “pre” — and the “maybe” — in pandemic preparedness.

argyll: Alleluiah!!!

I am always willing to help Argyll...anything, anything that needs to be done and I can do it I will.

Along those lines, I am open to critique and changing things to suit. As an artist you get used to working that way. Listening to constructive criticism to tweek the project is important as long as people are professional about it. It is part of the process.