www.DemocraticFundamentalism.org - VOTU - Daily News in Review - Emergency Preparedness - 8/3/2002

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What to do about the West Nile Virus
8/3/2002

It's important that you understand that the West Nile Virus is every bit as significant as the AIDS Pandemic. I'm not saying it's as bad, I'm saying it's significant. And I say none of the following to alarm you, rather, to inform you. This is something we can deal with.

First, a few bits of what would otherwise be considered trivia. In Georgia, there are some 21 streets containing the word Peach. It's Peachtree this and Peachtree that, and one time, I was late to a programming class I was teaching because I had to go to the corner of Peach Tree and Peach tree... now was that east or west? I really enjoyed Atlanta, although it was where I first met with corruption, but that's another story.

The point is, Peach Trees don't grow very well, if at all in Georgia anymore, because of a blight that occurred years ago. In Maryland, I believe the stat is that 80% of all bacterial infections are drug-resistant, meaning that you can't just take a few anti-biotics and expect it to magically go away like it used to.

About the West Nile Virus

First, like AIDS and so many other viruses and bugs that have been creeping up on us for years, the West Nile Virus was first detected in dead birds found in the New York area. Keep in mind, a virus can be transmitted internationally very easily in planes, that can go around the world in less than 24 hours. Australia is developing what they call the "Scram Jet", which can go from Austrralia to California in less than 2 hours. That's normally a 16-18 hour trip, if you're going with the jet stream.

So, over the last 4 years, the West Nile Virus has spread to 34 states. It's gotten so bad in Louisiana, where there's alot of water and estuarial and swamp lands, because it's a natural haven and breeding ground for mosquitoes. (There's a radio station in Atlanta that actually broadcasts a sub-sonic tone which is equivalent to an electronic mosquito repellent).

It gets transmitted to humans like malaria. One person has it, a mosquito bites them, gets the virus from the blood of the human, then it infects more humans and they infect more mosquitoes who then infect more humans. It's a deadly cycle. For now, at least, even when bitten, the chances of developing the virus are small.

Iit has mostly only killed birds. 7, deaths in New York over the last few years, and now 4 deaths in Louisiana just this season have prompted the Governor of Louisian to declare a state of emergency, in hopes that the Federal Government will assist them in the cost and logistics of dealing with the problem (my assumption is they will). 58 people have been infected as of this writing.

Why birds? Because they eat mosquitoes. And, they'll pick them up and carry them to other places, where they infect even more animals and people and birds.

Those who are in greatest danger are the same as those in danger of serious illness or death from the flu. Young children and older Americans. Your pets are also very vulnerable.

What to do about it.

There are a few simple steps you can take and feel reasonably safe. No one can offer any guarantees. But do these things, and you'll be pretty safe.

1)	Use an effective mosquito repellent. Use one that contains the ingredient DEET.
2)	Clear tall grass and weeds around your home and in fields
3)	Be absolutely certain that there is no standing water in your yard or areas around your neighborhood.
	Finally, this is a suggestion, and should not be considered fool proof by any means. I find this method to be about 85% effective. But it helps when you forget.
	There's a guy named Mark Spilsbury who runs a web site called www.neatsolarstuff.com And the name is accurate. They have all kinds of solar stuff that's useful for camping and emergencies, toy grade and commercial grade. I think he runs his own little business as a distributor on the side while being employed by Go-Power electric. I have no idea what their politics are. On that site, you'll find a solar powered mosquito repellent that you can clip to a key chain, a dog collar, a child's waist... it makes a tiny bit of noise, but my mutt doesn't seem to mind. I've sold these to people all over the world, and have never received a complaint. I get nothing for sending you to that site. They also have crank radios, flashlights and educational toys. I used to sell this stuff on another website, but for some reason, I don't have time to fulfill orders anymore. :} After 911, I bought a bunch of this stuff, and am very pleased.

We'll update news reports on the West Nile Virus as time and news permits.

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