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#31316 Tue Feb 28, 2006 12:27 PM
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Most, if not all of us, have heard of the threat of a possible pandemic. The news here is reporting that the so-called bird flu is to be here within a year. They are speaking of hospitals being at over-capacity, schools closing, churches not being able to hold services, and an estimated 60,000 deaths in Central Florida alone. They are stressing that we should have 6-12 weeks of supplies (food, water, meds, etc.) on hand as individuals will most likely be restricted from normal public activity. Crime (home invasions) is anticipated to surge because of the lack of certain individuals having the necessary supplies to make it …. Marshall law may be the order of the day. There are of course concerns that our national government not being able to meet this anticipated catastrophe head-on (i.e. Katrina).

Ok, now that the stage is set, I wonder: (1) if you think this is a bunch of hype (i.e. Y2k), (2) you are beginning (or have already) personal preparations for such an invent, (3) your church is already making preparations to assist others, etc. What are your thoughts?


Reformed and Always Reforming,
J_Edwards #31317 Tue Feb 28, 2006 12:56 PM
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I don't think this is the same as Y2K, as there is ample evidence the LORD sends such pandemics on a fairly regular basis. Why should we doubt another might be on its way?

It's a bit unnerving, to be sure, mostly out of fear for my many unsaved relatives, including a couple of adult children. :^(

OTOH I'm not completely easy in my mind about the idea of stockpiling food and water, though there's precedent in the OT. It certainly seems to be at odds with Christ's instructions regarding not worrying about what we're to eat or drink on the morrow, however.

Well. Glad I cleared this up for y'all. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/bingo.gif" alt="" />


Anne
J_Edwards #31318 Tue Feb 28, 2006 1:09 PM
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Mostly hype, and why is everyone wanting government action. They cannot run a post office, much less than anything to a pandemic scale. Get the government out of the way. The only thing they do can do is over-promise.


John Chaney

"having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith . . ." Colossians 2:7
J_Edwards #31319 Tue Feb 28, 2006 1:45 PM
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Hi Joe,

I am in the middle of a Continuing Ed course, online, on this very topic- pandemics! Though there is always the threat of a mutating virus catching us behind in vaccine production, there are many agencies working to monitor, control and develop vaccines constantly.
The WHO,is the leader in the area of maintaining vigilance for our health, it has many partners, CDC, HHS, to name but a couple!
Just take a look at the success in the case of Toronto SARS outbreak and you will see a good example of the effectiveness of the WHO systems. Though the general population hears little about this or many other health issues because unless it affects them they don't care to know, the information is available to all who seek!

I can give anyone more info, if they want, just let me know!

In His Hands,

Ruth


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J_Edwards #31320 Tue Feb 28, 2006 2:10 PM
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Well, based upon nearly nothing at all, my worthless opinion is that this is all "hype". I have become a genuine bona fide skeptic after being inundated with greatly exaggerated claims by all the various "niks" out there, e.g., environmentalist radicals (Green Peace, etc.), peace-niks, health-niks who tell me that there isn't anything safe to eat, that my cholesterol level has to be monitored, eat only organic foods and sanctified yogurt, the medical niks who claim that 95% of the population has some kind of terminal illness and that everyone is going to die next week . . . UNLESS.. ad nauseam!! <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/igiveup.gif" alt="" />

It's one thing to see an oncoming hurricane and make a reasonable prediction as to where it is going to go and what force it packs, etc. But to claim that there is a real possibility of a viral pandemic when there is no proof whatsoever of such a claim is silly. The instances of humans contracting the "bird flu" have been extremely few and very rare.

Personally, I'm simply going to go about my business and let the doomsayers rant and rave. However, what does need to be considered is if a large section of the population really believes this stuff, then the consequences could come happen, e.g., diminished food supplies due to people stocking up their shelves, home invasions, looting, etc. So friends, if this alarm takes hold it might be wise to stock your shelves with baked beans and boxes of 12 ga. shells! [Linked Image]

PS @ Anne: Dear lady, there is not going to be ONE SOLITARY PERSON who will not be saved who the Lord has chosen to be saved in Christ. Should such a pandemic or any other global disaster occur (by the Lord's hand and none other of course), all the elect will be infallibly found in Christ. Remember, not ONE will be lost. It's the Father's promise to the Son. If we can't depend upon THAT for assurance, what is there to hope for? <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />


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John_C #31321 Tue Feb 28, 2006 2:11 PM
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John_C said:
Mostly hype, and why is everyone wanting government action. They cannot run a post office, much less than anything to a pandemic scale. Get the government out of the way. The only thing they do can do is over-promise.

John_C probably has the best insight on this, considering what First Pres is doing with the government concentrating on NO and out of the way.


Soli Deo Gloria
John Schultz
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J_Edwards #31322 Tue Feb 28, 2006 2:27 PM
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Joe said;

Crime (home invasions) is anticipated to surge because of the lack of certain individuals having the necessary supplies to make it ….

Joe, - not to worry. I've already started casing out my neighbors houses and their comings and goings. I'm pretty sure that I can get in and out without being shot. Some of them are Mormons and they have pantries and storerooms chock full of goodies.

Also I'm positive that the police will do just as good of job as they did in New Orleans. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/bigglasses.gif" alt="" />

Denny

Romans 3:22-24


Denny

Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life." [John 6:68]
Pilgrim #31323 Tue Feb 28, 2006 2:51 PM
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...but somehow the thought of mass death due to a pandemic such as the one in 1918 creates a sense of urgency which tends to be lamentably missing otherwise.

You know...they're young! There's time! No need to fritz out yet because they won't turn to Christ. Maybe next month. Or year. Etc. etc.

As always, there is a tension between the LORD's sovereignty and His use of means.

I was thinking in terms of being a "means". <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/bigglasses.gif" alt="" />


Anne
J_Edwards #31324 Tue Feb 28, 2006 3:51 PM
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While I believe the bird flu will make it to the US and make some impact (notice I said bird flu and not pandemic), I am inclined to think this is more like another media-demic than a pandemic--they feel the need to report on something "unusual." As for most Floridians we normally keep at least 2-4 weeks of food, water, and meds on hand for hurricanes anyway ... this was the way we were raised living both in Florida and Taiwan.

Thus, what I think will happen is the following: The bird flu will strike at the same time as hurricane Adam hits. Then, the "alleged" terrorists associated with the Dubai Miami harbor will hit our fuel supplies and Florida will no longer exist. But, I have no fear for Dan Brown will be around to write another best seller called, The Florida Codes revealing that the gators were behind the whole thing. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/hello.gif" alt="" />

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J_Edwards #31325 Tue Feb 28, 2006 7:02 PM
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There is a great tendency toward paranoia in this country. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" /> I remember just a few years ago when we were advised to buy several rolls of duct tape, plastic tarps, and lots of bottled water to seal off a room in our homes because of the possible terrorists attacking using chemicals like anthrax. Then we were advised that there was no cure for West Nile Virus which was spreading across the country and it was expected to wipe out 50% of the population. Now paranoia over the bird flu! What's next? <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/scratch1.gif" alt="" />

Let's face it we tend to over react.


Wes

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When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of Glory died, my richest gain I count but loss and pour contempt on all my pride. - Isaac Watts
Wes #31326 Tue Feb 28, 2006 7:43 PM
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Well, like WC Fields once said, "when the end of the world comes, I want to be in Youngstown, Ohio." (where everything happens ten years later.

Not to make light of diseases and so forth, I do think that nothing will befall me apart from God's sovereign plan. And so, I will go, Lord willing, to serve on another mission team in an area some 40 or 50 miles from Chernobyl this summer. No, I do not put the Lord God to test, I just trust that I can proceed knowing that if He does not want me there, or for that matter, wherever there may be problems, He will change my course.
Patrice


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