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2006-03-20 Science & Technology

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Posted by Anonymoose 2006-03-20 19:29|| || Front Page|| [2 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1

And more funding.

Posted by Bobby 2006-03-20 20:29|| 2006-03-20 20:29|| Front Page Top

#2 Worth it to track this thing and jump start vaccines if it does mutate enough for direct human - human transmission.

Some risks are worth taking insurance out against IMO.

Posted by lotp 2006-03-20 20:50|| 2006-03-20 20:50|| Front Page Top

#3 agreed

Posted by Frank G">Frank G 2006-03-20 21:20|| 2006-03-20 21:20|| Front Page Top

#4 This really is the #1 risk factor. Killer flu has long menaced the US because we know what it can do.

AIDS is tiny in comparison. So is every other biological threat short of smallpox. The bad form of smallpox had a 20-40% mortality. Avian flu has somehow maintained 50%. This puts these two in a class by themselves.

It close to matches the projected lethality of a nuclear detonation in a major city in the US.

It is the big one. And yet, having said all of that, the US will get off lightly, compared to most of the rest of the world.

Don't panic. That will accomplish nothing. All you can do is wait. And when and if it comes keep your wits about you.

Posted by Anonymoose 2006-03-20 21:26|| 2006-03-20 21:26|| Front Page Top

#5 This strain is considered to be possibly related to the Spanish Flu strain that killed millions worldwide. (My aunt died from that when she was 2. My dad was their parents' replacement baby.)

It's worth it to study this. Even if it doesn't turn into another Spanish Flu, there is probably something else out there that could turn into one. Keep in mind that people can and do jet from the jungles to major population centers in about a day, and factor in the scary truth that we don't have any "magic bullet" antibiotics left. If we are unlucky, some virus could wreak destruction even worse than the Spanish Flu did.

Get some of the lessons out of the way now. We waste billions on other stupid crap, why not spend a little on something that might actually pay off?

Posted by Desert Blondie 2006-03-20 21:33|| http://azjetsetchick.blogspot.com]">[http://azjetsetchick.blogspot.com] 2006-03-20 21:33|| Front Page Top

#6 learn to wash your hands at ALL opportunities....and maybe stock up on masks

Posted by Frank G">Frank G 2006-03-20 23:16|| 2006-03-20 23:16|| Front Page Top

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