"niffty b/f kits" GRRRRRRRRRRR

    HI everyone here's hoping you all had a great weekend

    Well I spent time writting this out and must have clicked clear form instead of posting! geezz only me, so will try again.

   Found this article this morning and it not only made me laugh it makes me very mad. IF this is all they are telling people they need to prep with, then no wonder people arent concerned!! gezzzzz BEFORE YOU READ THIS THERE IS NO WAY I AM PROMOTING OR CONNECTED WITH THE PEOPLE SELLING THESE " niffty b/f kits" another way to make a buck I guess and I cant believe "Washginton Post " printed this!
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http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/21/AR2006082101068.html?nav=rss_health

Pandemic Flu Kits
Tuesday, August 22, 2006; Page HE03


An influenza pandemic is bound to strike sooner or later, we've all been told. If you're not yet prepared for infectious apocalypse, marketers are offering shortcuts in the form of ready-made pan-flu emergency kits.

For example, a company called LifeSecure charges $39.95, shipping included, for a package of eight disposable N95 respirators, eight pairs of disposable gloves, two bottles each of hand sanitizer and surface disinfectant, and several eye shields, packs of tissues and biohazard-disposal bags. GlobalOptions Group offers a similar kit that even contains a nifty coverall with a hood and booties. The group plans to sell the kits ($21 each, minimum order 300 units) to companies that want to protect their employees -- and keep them reporting to work -- during an outbreak.

Breathe Calmly Among the kits' items, "that respirator and the hand sanitizers clearly are the most important," said William Schaffner, an infectious disease specialist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville and a spokesman for the Infectious Diseases Society of America. If properly fitted to the face, N95s filter out 95 percent of airborne particles such as viruses. "When, in the hospital, we want the best available protection, we generally wear N95 respirators," said Schaffner. But he notes that basic surgical masks may be equally effective at preventing inhalation of flu viruses.

Sanitizers cleanse contaminated hands, which are the other major spreaders of influenza. Other items in the kits offer mainly psychological comfort, experts suggest. "When we take care of patients with influenza, we don't typically wear gloves. We don't wear eye protection," said Schaffner.

"The gown and get-up -- I think that's a waste of time," added Aaron Glatt, chief medical officer of New Island Hospital in Bethpage, N.Y. "If you walk around in it all day, how is it different than your clothing?" It might spread a virus just as easily, he says.

Home Remedy Do-it-yourselfers can buy inexpensive hand sanitizer and order either respirators, which cost $1 to $2 each in bulk, or cheaper surgical masks, Schaffner points out. Playing hooky might also be worthwhile. "In a pandemic situation," Glatt said, "people who can work via computers probably should stay home. The last thing you want to do is congregate in a closed work area."


-- Ben Harder

Thanks for the post Pebbles,

I love this topic. As soon as anyone recommends personal protective equipment (PPE) some expert says "its a waste of time".

I once asked a Nuclear Reactor Facility Official about PPE for the people who live within the 3 mile Emergency Planning Zone (EPZ) around the facility. His response, "There is no need and anyway the general public wouldn't know to put on a respirator, tyvek clothing and booties."

Lets assume the avian virus mutates to H2H2H and is virulant.

Unless you've thoroughly prepped and and hunkered down somewhere, you'll need to be around people. Since viral shedding via respiratory and nasopharynx droplets is the mode of transmission and area of entry of an uninfected person, why would a barrier such as an N-95 be a waste of time?

The medical professionasl who care for contagious patients every day do so with head-to-toe PPE to avoid self contamination. Why would this not be effective for a 'civilian' caring for a sick family member or some one who is out looking for supplies?

I agree Cruiser.  Plus not only having it and acquiring it....but using it correctly and disposing of it correctly.  OSHA does a nice job with demonstratiing universal precautions and blood borne pathogens....I would follow that same protocal but would apply it to not JUST blood borne pathogens but air borne pathogens.  Just the appropriate disposal in your house will need to be addressed and there will need to be a disrobing right at the door where your family most often enters the house, the laundry will need to be covered and lined, laundry hampers washed out with bleach, added with a new liner, etc......it just goes on and on.