History and epidemics.

[snarlbuckle]

A lightbulb went on today and I thought I'd share it. One of the common survival scenarios we tend to prepare for is a disease epidemic. Sometimes people get fantastical the idea that 99% of the population would die (or become zombies) and there would only be a handful of humans left. As with most SHTF scenarios, they have happened before and we can look back to history for answers.

The first example that comes to mind is the Bubonic Plague. It was a brutal killer, and wiped out wide swaths of the areas it struck. So what stopped it? Who survived? What other epidemics like it have occurred over the course of known history and how were they stopped? These are the real lessons we need to take note of in order to truly prepare for this type of scenario.

[monkeybird]

I agree that biological death for a substantial part of the world's population is indeed very possible. As a Certified Infection Control Specialist, I can tell you that the killer bacteria/virus is simply an airplane ride away for covering the globe in a few days.

Bubonic Plague is an example and to this day is endemic in parts of India, Peru and even one case in the U.S. in 2010. However, today this disease is easily treated with antibiotics. In the early part of the 20th century the Spanish Flu cover the globe in a short period of time due to the return of WWI veterans. It killed 50 million people worldwide. HIV is another disease that arose fast and furious. As a nurse I remember working with some of the very first AID cases. No one at that time knew what caused it. Within 10 years it spread across the globe.

Ebola is a nightmare disease that breaks out in Africa every few years. It's death - pure and simple. There is no known cure for this disease, and it it believed that it's escape from Africa is only a matter of time. H1N1 of recent history was sudden emergency of a virus that traveled world wide in just a few weeks.

The year after 9/11 the fear of biological weapons attack was very real. A group of people, myself included was vaccinated against things like small pox, so the U.S. would have a body of healthcare providers available to care for those affected with the disease. All hospitals in the U.S. who accept medicare dollars are required to have plans to isolate and treat biological and chemical attacks against out citizens.

The major element of these plans is ISOLATION. Survivors of the Bubonic Plague isolated themselves on rural farms. If you're not exposed, you can't catch it. Everyone needs a plan for such an event. Don't wait for the 'authorities' to tell to you avoid crowded places, cover your mouth when you cough or wash your hands. Act on you own and protect yourself and your family.

[barfife]

I agree that biological death for a substantial part of the world's population is indeed very possible. As a Certified Infection Control Specialist, I can tell you that the killer bacteria/virus is simply an airplane ride away for covering the globe in a few days.

Bubonic Plague is an example and to this day is endemic in parts of India, Peru and even one case in the U.S. in 2010. However, today this disease is easily treated with antibiotics. In the early part of the 20th century the Spanish Flu cover the globe in a short period of time due to the return of WWI veterans. It killed 50 million people worldwide. HIV is another disease that arose fast and furious. As a nurse I remember working with some of the very first AID cases. No one at that time knew what caused it. Within 10 years it spread across the globe.

Ebola is a nightmare disease that breaks out in Africa every few years. It's death - pure and simple. There is no known cure for this disease, and it it believed that it's escape from Africa is only a matter of time. H1N1 of recent history was sudden emergency of a virus that traveled world wide in just a few weeks.

The year after 9/11 the fear of biological weapons attack was very real. A group of people, myself included was vaccinated against things like small pox, so the U.S. would have a body of healthcare providers available to care for those affected with the disease. All hospitals in the U.S. who accept medicare dollars are required to have plans to isolate and treat biological and chemical attacks against out citizens.

The major element of these plans is ISOLATION. Survivors of the Bubonic Plague isolated themselves on rural farms. If you're not exposed, you can't catch it. Everyone needs a plan for such an event. Don't wait for the 'authorities' to tell to you avoid crowded places, cover your mouth when you cough or wash your hands. Act on you own and protect yourself and your family.

You never know what resources are available on this forum. thanks for the info.

[snarlbuckle]

Wow, thank you Monkeybird. I never would have expected the first post to be from someone with that level of expertise on the subject.

My cursory research combined with a bit of experience tell me that the flu spreads every year and while the mortality rate is low compared to some other viruses, it still kills plenty of people. That said, it gives us a great opportunity to practice disease prevention on a regular basis. The logical conclusion then is to pay close attention to what medical professionals tell us during 'flu season'. If we can successfully avoid the flu every year, I would wager that we are well prepared to avoid other epidemics.

[610Alpha]

Since my wife has become a SAHM our kids have NOT been sick....knock on wood they don't get sick this winter.

[Patriotic Sheepdog]

Have a sign like this ready to put on your door if needed. This may keep people away from your door/retreat. Even if they aren't sick, and just snooping around, they may not stay long if they read this. Like monkeybird stated, ISOLATION is what will keep you safer. If the people that have the "bug" enters your retreat area, well all could be doomed. Have a quarantine plan for group members arriving late. Keep them isolated from the others until you are sure they are disease free. This sounds kind of cruel, but it may save your group from early demise.

QUARANTINE

Effective Dates From: __________ Through: __________

Due To Communicable Disease (___________________)


No one shall enter or leave these premises without authorization by the Department of Public Health or the ____________County Board of Health. Any individual entering a quarantine premises with or without authorization of the health department or County Board of Health may be isolated or quarantined. Pursuant to Public Health Code section 135.38, any individual who knowingly violates a lawful department order for isolation or quarantine, whether written or oral, shall be guilty of a simple misdemeanor.

The court ordered sentence may include a fine up to $500 and imprisonment not to exceed 30 days. No person other than an authorized employee of the Department of Public Health or county health department shall alter, destroy, or remove this notice.