More4 News made a good point the other night - remember SARS?
A couple of years ago this disease, originating in the Far East, was going to kill millions world wide. The eventual death toll - 800!
IF
it does break in Britain, your not going to get hours up on hours of terrestrial specials as it will be a long term story, not a live unfolding event such as 9/11, London Bombings, Beslan etc.
Coverage will be comparable to the Foot and Mouth outbreak of a couple of years, and I imagine restricted mainly to bulletins and the 24 hr news channel. I wouldn't even expect a newsflash!
Not even when thousands of people could die in just days?
More4 News made a good point the other night - remember SARS?
A couple of years ago this disease, originating in the Far East, was going to kill millions world wide. The eventual death toll - 800!
IF
it does break in Britain, your not going to get hours up on hours of terrestrial specials as it will be a long term story, not a live unfolding event such as 9/11, London Bombings, Beslan etc.
Coverage will be comparable to the Foot and Mouth outbreak of a couple of years, and I imagine restricted mainly to bulletins and the 24 hr news channel. I wouldn't even expect a newsflash!
Not even when thousands of people could die in just days?
I think this is getting a bit OTT here. It hasn't even mutated to human form yet.
You're right, maybe it is. However, it'll be a challenging time for the BBC in particular who, according to this thread, will be relied upon heavily by the government.
You're right, maybe it is. However, it'll be a challenging time for the BBC in particular who, according to this thread, will be relied upon heavily by the government.
Yes, but whether it will ever get to this extreme event, is at this stage impossible to speculate on.
Let's get this thing in perspective and stop panicking for a moment.
firstly, the entire population will NOT be wiped out, life will go on. People will go to work. TV will still show Emmerdale. Bird Flu may become a pandemic, but let's be realistic. The elderly, infirm, ill, asthmatic etc will be prone to the disease much easier than a fit and healthy person.
The important factor to remember is that IF a form of the flu virus mutates into a human to human form, then humans with the illness can prevent the spread by staying at home and not coughing or spluttering over other people. Sounds harsh but it is true. If you fall ill, stay off work. Don't go out. Common Sense tells you that.
Secondly, if you are needing the flu vaccine as every year then get it. If you are overly worried talk to your GP and see if you are eligible. If the bird flu virus becomes our worst nightmare, your GP will be aware of your health and recommend the symptom reduction vaccine that is being stockpiled at the moment. Most importantly, keep calm. WE ARE NOT ALL GOING TO DIE!
Remember, that at present all imports of foreign poultry etc are banned that is believed to come from infected areas. Avoid buying poultry for food if you are concerned. Look out for dead birds and report multiple deaths immediately notifying area and location. If areas can be rid of the virus then this in itself will prevent further spreading. Stay away from farmyards, don't get chickens as pets at the moment and if you have them observe them more often.
Thirdly, we should all continue to live our lives as normal. This bird flu has been in the news for two years now and it will mutate, but it is not known how it will mutate. If it does mutate into a serious disease then follow Government advice, we will be told what to do. If the population of the UK is 60 million, then 50,000 people dying of Bird Flu may seem scary and alot. But consider this: This equates to just over 1% of the population. we have relatively good medical research and treatment facilities. A cold winter may reduce the spread significantly: people keep ranting on about this "Wonderful warm weather and long may it continue" present climate obviously do not realise that warm weather is paradise for millions of bacteria and viruses. Certainly, cold weather will not eliminate the threat buit it will keep it at bay a bit. Look out for loved ones, the elderly and vulnerable in particular. Get them medical treatment at the first instance if you believe they are ill....even if you are wrong. Safety is better than sorrow.
This post was only created to put the situation in perspective. Panicking and worrying is going to cause mass panic and that is dangerous. Romania is a long way away....we have the English channel between us. If birds migrate from Britain into infected areas, the probabilities of them dying before Spring when they return are high. This is the best way of controlling the crises. Please though, don't stop enjoying living. Watch TV, go shopping etc. All the news channels will be there. TV will be there. Radio will be there. The shops will be there. Work will be there. Bills will be there. Nothing will change. Flu will be different though. That's all. I pray to God that a positive outcome will be gained and in the meantime, I am going to go by what I heard on the news and that was that risk to human life is, at the moment, very very low.
I am going to go by what I heard on the news and that was that risk to human life is, at the moment, very very low.
A lot of the news reports are not saying that! But I do agree with what you are saying, it is going a bit far. If the worst came to the VERY worst, just stay inside whenever you can and get Tesco home delivery!
I am going to go by what I heard on the news and that was that risk to human life is, at the moment, very very low.
A lot of the news reports are not saying that! But I do agree with what you are saying, it is going a bit far. If the worst came to the VERY worst, just stay inside whenever you can and get Tesco home delivery!
The BBC News tonight reported on the UK scientists who had discovered the "potentially lethal" virus within the Romanian dead birds, but that it was not likely, in its present form, to cause risk to humans. It has not yet, incidentally, reached Britain, other than in the form of the test tube!
Christmas is coming......worry about that instead!
I am going to go by what I heard on the news and that was that risk to human life is, at the moment, very very low.
A lot of the news reports are not saying that! But I do agree with what you are saying, it is going a bit far. If the worst came to the VERY worst, just stay inside whenever you can and get Tesco home delivery!
The BBC News tonight reported on the UK scientists who had discovered the "potentially lethal" virus within the Romanian dead birds, but that it was not likely, in its present form, to cause risk to humans. It has not yet, incidentally, reached Britain, other than in the form of the test tube!
Christmas is coming......worry about that instead!
How do I change the title of the thread, as I understand I have alarmed some users?
I am going to go by what I heard on the news and that was that risk to human life is, at the moment, very very low.
A lot of the news reports are not saying that! But I do agree with what you are saying, it is going a bit far. If the worst came to the VERY worst, just stay inside whenever you can and get Tesco home delivery!
The BBC News tonight reported on the UK scientists who had discovered the "potentially lethal" virus within the Romanian dead birds, but that it was not likely, in its present form, to cause risk to humans. It has not yet, incidentally, reached Britain, other than in the form of the test tube!
Christmas is coming......worry about that instead!
How do I change the title of the thread, as I understand I have alarmed some users?
Press 'Edit' on your original post and change the 'title'. However, I don't see the point, as anyone whose attention it grabs will discover the meaning by clicking on the link anyway!
I am going to go by what I heard on the news and that was that risk to human life is, at the moment, very very low.
A lot of the news reports are not saying that! But I do agree with what you are saying, it is going a bit far. If the worst came to the VERY worst, just stay inside whenever you can and get Tesco home delivery!
The BBC News tonight reported on the UK scientists who had discovered the "potentially lethal" virus within the Romanian dead birds, but that it was not likely, in its present form, to cause risk to humans. It has not yet, incidentally, reached Britain, other than in the form of the test tube!
Christmas is coming......worry about that instead!
How do I change the title of the thread, as I understand I have alarmed some users?
ALARMED!!!! Some People? NO!!!!!!!!!!!!! Bird Flu is coming....Bird Flu is Coming...... Bird Flu is Coming.......(sounds like the new Coca-Cola Christmas advert)!
Seriously though, (apologies for bad taste), people are alarmed by alarmist news reports on the TV and Radio rather than your thread. it is clear from the offset that your thread is hyper-thetical. On our local radio today, the headline said something like : "British scientists discover Bird Flu Virus in birds found dead in Romania and, we are warned that it is not good news for us. We should all be on high alert and prepare for the onset of a massive pandemic heading for our shores any day."
How bloody irresponsible is that!? To change your title, just click on the edit icon. No need though, you havn't alarmed me!!!!