dIYpod

Open Directory mp3 Blog

AD, are you talking about Tamiflu?

To reassure the paranoid, there is no pandemic yet. Yes, the H5N1 variant of avian influenza can infect humans (with a very high fatality rate, though it's closer to 50% than 70%). Yes, it has spread to birds in Romania and Turkey. Yes, there are strains resistant to some antiviral drugs. And yes, there is a short supply of the antivirals that can potentially work against this virus.

First of all, is it a surprise that there's a short supply of antivirals when we're being warned about a pandemic? And if there's a short supply and a large demand, won't the price naturally go up? I can't comment on them being unable to produce more (I don't know one way or the other.)

As for the danger to, say, Alison directly, I wouldn't worry about it too much. The virus has not (yet) been shown to transmit from humans to humans; only birds to humans. The strain that has appeared in Eastern Europe is not one of the antiviral-resistant ones, and there have been no human cases in Eastern Europe. My best guess is that if there is a pandemic, it'll start after she gets back here.

That said, it's pretty much a foregone conclusion that there will be a pandemic. And health agencies around the world are trying to prepare for it. But the most important precaution - a vaccine - can't be prepared until there actually is a virus to vaccinate against. The speed of our response will dictate how many people will be affected. The last major pandemic killed up to 50 million. It's a serious issue; just not yet.

AD what else is new? Seems like a good strategy for that drug company to use. All the exec probally have a hundred year stock supply of the drugs in their houses. Not that it will help much when 70 percent of the population has died off and the remaining 30 percent turn into a ravenous horde of zombies. Good thing I got that sword... all I need now is a gun.

Wow Alison, you're really scared aren't you?? Well, not to worry. My mom seems as freaked out about it as you are. For those of you with weak stomach's don't read what I have to say. It seems that the one drug that's effective against the avian flu (I forget what it's called. It's one of the anti-viral drugs), is in very short supply all of a sudden. The company that makes it claims it lacks the ability to produce more. As a result the price has gone sky high in a very short time. They're making a stupid amount of money as a result. Can anyone scream price gouging?? Now, the one effective drug is in short supply, a pandemic with a 70% mortality rate is on its way, and a company is getting rich. How many people are they about to kill?

bloody hell

¨South African health authorities remain confident the country is free of the bird flu virus, as European Union governments remained on full alert on Friday after the discovery of bird flu in neighbouring Turkey and Romania.

The deadly strain of the virus, H5N1 from Asia, is travelling fast, and the World Health Organisation warned that Europe should prepare itself for a pandemic.

An estimated 60 people have died from avian flu in South-East Asia and hundreds of millions of birds have had to be slaughtered.

Scientists say a mutation of the flu strain could easily infect half the world's human population within a year, killing hundreds of millions.¨

It´s hard enough to keep abreast of these things in English, when I have time, but to be in a foreign country... sheesh. I sure hope the farm I´m at doesn´t have tons of chickens... If anything screams red flag for you guys, please e-mail me, I´d rather not get gravely ill while travelling.

Um Mary what time are we going to see corpse bride tomorrow? Due to a complicated ride scheme thingy I might or might not be able to go.

Thanks for the encouragement guys! Well I'll know by monday or tuesday if I got the job or not. The interview was pretty Shelax. He just asked the questions and didn't write anything down. He seemed more interested in the amount of money the interviewee was asking for. Basically they need someone to fill in a slot for the company. You have to have common sense and can't be stupid, if you work hard and are willing to learn then you should be okay. I think it'll all come down to money.

Eric: Thanks for the MP3s. I don't think Sigur Ros would be too happy about me staealing there music though.

Good point Par, but rehearsals are still a good idea! :P Didn't Jer suggest peeing?

Got it, and it unzipped no problem. I'll be on slsk for awhile tonight, so whenevs, it's here.

tony i need some help
That Girl Needs Therapy posted up the new FEATURES album, "Exhibit A" which apparently is supposed to be good, and i downloaded it, but the unzipping didn't work for me. *shrug maybe it's a Mac thing i dunno. you wanna give it a shot? the features
if it doesn't work for you or you don't have time don't worry about it. the only song i've heard that's not too shabby is "There's a Million Ways to Sing the Blues" (not to be confused with okgo)