Disclaimer: I am not a medical doctor and nothing in this article should be taken as medical advice. Please talk to your doctor before using any of the herbs and/or remedies mentioned in this article.
All around the nation, hospitals are feeling the strain of this year’s deadly flu virus. The scenarios being laid out are, frankly, hard to believe. What if I told you an entire school district shut its doors for a whole week because so many staff and students were exhibiting flu-like symptoms?
Don’t believe me?
Date: January 16, 2018
Dear Bonham ISD School Community,
After much consideration and based on Texas Education Agency Attendance Guidelines and the Texas Department of Health’s best practices, Bonham ISD has made the decision to cancel school from Wednesday, January 17th through Tuesday, January 23rd due to the number of students and staff members exhibiting flu-like symptoms. Staff and students will return to their regular schedules on Wednesday, January 24th.
All Bonham ISD Campuses have seen an increase in the number of confirmed cases of influenza. As the number of confirmed cases of influenza grows, it is important to increase health and safety protocols for each campus, including disinfection of all buses and spaces. Local health officials have recommended a full 7 days to stop the cycle of spreading influenza.
All HOME school-related activities for this time period, including evening activities, will be canceled or relocated. We appreciate your support and patience as we work to ensure the health and safety of all Warriors.
Bad weather days will not be used for this time off and days will not have to be made up.
Please take all health precautions and refrain from coming in contact with others.
Please be sure to monitor all Bonham ISD media outlets for all updates, including updates for extracurricular activities.
– http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2018/01/16/bonham-isd-cancels-school-flu/
Why is This Strain So Bad?
The H3 strains of the flu have a history of kicking our butts. Well, what these strains actually do is make us kick our own butts. The flu virus itself is not what kills people, but it is the body's reaction and attempt to kill the virus that is responsible for most deaths.
The ugly flu season of 2014-2015 was also an H3 strain. The truth is there are many different strains of flu that circulate each year, it just seems that when H3 joins the party things get ugly, fast.
In rare cases, a flu-weakened immune system becomes susceptible to serious bacterial infections, such as pneumonia, which can in turn lead to complications that can turn fatal. “Flu, while causing mild disease in a lot of people, can also cause severe disease and death in others,” Jernigan said during the briefing.
The flu may also exacerbate existing chronic conditions, particularly among older adults, which can lead to complications and death.
– http://time.com/5105929/why-is-the-flu-so-bad-2018/
Learning from H3N2
In most disaster scenarios, there is a chance to watch and learn valuable information. The case of this deadly flu is no exception. If you are lucky enough to have avoided the flu, I suggest you read about how the federal and local governments respond to the outbreak. There is a big story there.
Alabama has already declared a state of emergency. Could this be good management of resources, or are things this desperate? Also, what kind of relief comes from the Fed when such a declaration is made? More states are going to run into calamity, and you can learn a lot about what a bigger disaster will look like from what is happening on the ground floor today.
The one question that is always resounding in my head is, “How far can disaster relief really be stretched before it's worthless?”
In other words, what is the government really capable of helping with? How much are you really on your own? If we sit down and explore the answer to this question, you can get really depressed.
Keep your eyes peeled and stay up to date on the news about this flu. You will also learn a lot about how to prevent it in your own home. Considering this flu has taken over 100 lives already, that is valuable information.
Prepping for H3N2
I was a food safety professional for 5 years and taught a course that was steeped in microbiology and the spread of foodborne illness. I was always surprised at how little the people knew about the threats that were all around them, but people caught on to the information almost instantly.
When it comes to fending off the flu virus, I think about two levels of preparation.
1. Personal Hygiene – The first level comes from the person and their practice of habits and personal hygiene. This is the nightly news level of flu prevention. Be sure that you wash hands your frequently, be careful of touching eyes, ears, nose and mouth. These are pathways into the body for the virus. This is practice, and it is common-sense stuff.
2. Boost Your Immune System – The second level is boosting the immune system. This is like good personal hygiene because it is a daily approach. You must have a regiment that you stick to consistently. It's hard to keep the immune system running strong if you are not eating right and exercising. It just works hand in hand.
Even if your immune system is in tip-top shape and you are doing things like getting enough sleep, eating fruits, veg and nuts, avoiding things like smoking and alcohol and utilizing medicinal herbs and essential oils, you might still need a boost to fight the flu.
I boost my immunity with a dose of 1000mg of powdered vitamin C every day. This powder is dissolved in juice or water and then taken in the morning. When I get sick or feel some sickness coming, on I boost it to 2000mgs.
When you are in the throes of the flu, you might be able to dose with even more than that. You will know when you are taking too much because you will get gas and diarrhea from too much Vitamin C. I have taken up to 7000mg last time I had the flu and my body took it no problem.
It’s the secret weapon against influenza.
6 Items Everyone Should Have On Hand For Flu Season
- OTC Meds – Make sure you have everything you need so you don't have to send anyone out after you're already sick.
- Powdered Vitamin C – You can also just take Vitamin C pills, but EmergenC has other important vitamins and minerals such as B12 and Zinc.
- Hand Sanitizer – I don't recommend taking this on a regular basis as it can actually weaken your immune system in the long run, but for severe outbreaks like this one, it's a good idea to use when you're out and about.
- Powdered or Liquid Eloctrolyte Drink – If you do get sick, it's important to stay as hydrated as possible.
- Echinachae Tea – This soothing tea boosts the immune system and eases flu symptoms a little.
- Bleach – For cleaning surfaces so you don't spread the flu virus to family members. Liquid bleach is fine, but Clorox wipes are very convenient.
Immunity is a battle as old as time. To me, it’s a constant reminder that, even with all our advancements, we are still living in a hostile world that is trying to kill us. That doesn’t mean we can't set ourselves up for success with our superior brains and advancements.
The question on all preppers' minds is, “when does the big one return?” When does the flu mutate into such a deadly strain that our scientists cannot thwart it? Are you prepared to take matters into your own hands if a deadly pandemic spirals out of control?
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