Why would the government of the u.s., specifically HHS and the CDC, come out and tell us to stockpile food and water for avian flu if they did not deem it a real threat? Why water? They must feel that our water supply would be at risk, indicating that experts informing the feds seem to think the disruption in supply lines and utilities predicted is a good possibility. Things would have to get REALLY bad for our country to no longer have runnning water - but obviously they think it could happen. It is predicted that 40% of the U.S. workforce won't show up for work when Avian flu is human to huamn in the U.S. Who could not take this seriously enough to at least educate yourself on it? Isn't the health and safety of your family important enough to find out your state's pandemic plan (I'm sure they have one, as state governments see the threat as well). Why would big companies be planning for such a pandemic if they hadn't researched this possibility and decided that it were a worthwhile investment? PLease, everyone, get your heads out of the sand, research this on your own state and federal government websites, do not rely on the mass media for your information. Research bird flu and business, and you will see major corporations planning for this. They have minds and research teams. They have money and a profit motive. Why would they spend big bucks on something their data says isn't gonna happen? Dig deeper and protect your family's future by preparing for this event. ANd then keep your fingers crossed that the world can dodge this bullet. Remember Katrina - if the bird flu happens, that scene will be every town and city in america. The government has come out and said that they cannot help you if avian flu hits. I'd be concerned about that.

I have been watching the Avian Influenza virus since last October. Since the beginning of this year it has marched through 53 countries. No, there aren't millions dying from this, just enough to make me feel like it is a threat to the future when it mutates to becomes easily transmissable like our seasonal flu. (our seasonal flu is the direct decendant of the 1918 pandemic, by the way)
The U.S. Government has spent Billions of $$ in tracking and preventive measures as well as informing the general public that it is a personal responsiblity to prepare for one self and family because the Government will be unable to help everyone when it arrives. I like eating and since it is something I must do anyway, I am putting away extra food and water, best case scenario is I don't have to shop for a good while and have paid today's food prices to eat tomorrow, worst case scenario, my family might have to worry about illness, but not starvation when all services and supplies are interupted during this period. Be prepared or be prepared to pay the price for not being prepared.

What I am more concerned about is, 'Bush Flue' which is far more dangerous than bird flue. It starts with lies to convince the public that a threat of bodily harm exists when in in fact it doesn't. It then results in military action where thousands of innocent soldiers and civilians are killed and crippled by wounds. Lies are then told to keep on killing and keep on rewarding Bush supporters with war contracts. If anyone dare protest, they are called un patriotic, and appeasers. The insurgents are labeled facist and their leaders are like Hitler. The only vacine for 'Bush Flue' is to throw this Administrtion and its supporters in Congress out!

At the moment the bird flu threat is underblown as the media has been ignoring all the Indonesians that are being quarantined with bird flu symtoms. It is like it has been dropped from the media radar. This makes bird flu doubly dangerous as people have become complacent. Even the people I had conviced 6 months ago don't see it as a threat.If this does go pandemic, I surely hope the media will take the responsibility of informing the public--even if the Feds don't want it known due to the economy.

This is a real threat. Education and preparation will be very important world-wide. Regardless whether the avian flu is the next pandemic or not, pandemics happen. We are well overdue.

It will come...we will survive, but may God help us when it does.