Planning
Plan for the worst; during a flu (avian, bird or other) pandemic, disruptions may be national in scope. If you recall the problems after hurricane Katrina in 2005, imagine less destruction, but potential temporary loss of infrastruction (just-in-time delivery of basics, utility loss) on a national or global scale. This site is not an alarmist site, however we recommend looking at the possibilities in a bird flu pandemic and preparing for them from a rational and logical manner.
Preparing for a flu pandemic does not have to be stressful or alarming, some basic preprations can make a big difference. See our planning section for more details.
Governments Getting in the Way
Doctors and government officials in some cases are saying "prepare, prepare, prepare" and yet they stand in the way of individuals preparing for themselves by buying appropriate treatments. Why is it up to the government or Doctors to decide who should be allowed to stockpile the anti-viral drugs such as TamiFlu and Relenza? Why is it up to the government to decide who should get its stockpiled doses?
Imagine if the population could stockpile doses for their families. If even 10% of the population decided to buy enough doses to cover their family, it could make a huge difference in preventing a pandemic. Think of the money the government would save from having to stockpile the drug. Think of the logistical issues averted. Think of the freedom that represents to have control of one's own future.
Instead of looking to the government to solve the problem, how about letting individual citizen's do it? It is time to bring government control of medicine into the 21st Century and give people the right to do protect their own health.