How about a thread dedicated to ebola-specific personal preps since the other two Ebola threads are focused on news and US policy on ebola?
Have you added to, improved or changed any of your personal preps?
In the case of preparing for Ebola, keep in mind that the Ebola virus strands can be as small as .02 microns in diameter....
Was discussing this in another forum. I posted this link there as I thought it had some good high points.
Ask Tess: What is the difference between N95 and N100 respirator masks? | Ready Nutrition
Ebola is a very concerning health issue going on in the world and one that I believe we should have a preparedness plan for. There are differences in the respirator masks on the market and knowing the difference between them can help keep you and your family safer.
When the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) specified there be requirements for different respirator filters, they created three divisions for the filters with differing specifications: N series, R series and P series. Using masks with air-purifying respirators protects by filtering particles out of the air the user is breathing. There are seven classes of filters for NIOSH-approved filtering facepiece respirators available at this time.
The difference between the N-series, R-series and P-series of masks has to do with whether or not the mask will be worn in an environment where oils and their vapors can be inhaled. In short, N-series filters are not resistant to oil, R-series filters are resistant to oil, and P-series filters are oil proof.
- N95 – Filters at least 95% of airborne particles. Not resistant to oil.
- Surgical N95 – A NIOSH-approved N95 respirator that has also been cleared by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a surgical mask.
- N99 – Filters at least 99% of airborne particles. Not resistant to oil.
- N100 – Filters at least 99.97% of airborne particles. Not resistant to oil.
- R95 – Filters at least 95% of airborne particles. Somewhat resistant to oil.
- P95 – Filters at least 95% of airborne particles. Strongly resistant to oil.
- P99 – Filters at least 99% of airborne particles. Strongly resistant to oil.
- P100 – Filters at least 99.97% of airborne particles. Strongly resistant to oil.
The respirator filter ratings (95, 99, 100) refer to the percentage efficiency at removing particulates from breathing air. 95, 99 and 100 series filters are 95%, 99% and 100% efficient, respectively.
N95 respirators made by different companies were found to have different filtration efficiencies for the most penetrating particle size (0.1 to 0.3 micron), but all were at least 95% efficient at that size. Above the most penetrating particle size the filtration efficiency increases with size; it reaches approximately 99.5% or higher at about 0.75 micron. Tests with bacteria of size and shape similar to Mycobacterium tuberculosis also showed filtration efficiencies of 99.5% or higher.
In the case of preparing for Ebola, keep in mind that the Ebola virus strands can be as small as .02 microns in diameter, which are smaller than 3 microns. That said, the virus can permeate the filtered masks by a carrier such as (water molecules, bodily fluids, etc.). The best bet in assuring your family’s safety against Ebola is with N100 or P100 mask. Further, investing in other pandemic supplies would also be worthwhile.
As with most disasters, a pandemic will require a solid, well-thought plan for surviving as well as require long term social distancing measures that will further require you to be prepared for a long term disaster of 1-2 months or longer. Therefore, keep your needs in mind and prepare accordingly. I hope this helps, and best of luck on your pandemic preparedness kits.
- Have a one month supply of emergency foods that require no refrigeration.
- Store 1 gallon of water per person per day, in clean plastic containers. Avoid using containers that will decompose or break, such as milk cartons or glass bottles.
- Tyvek protective suit and shoe covers
- Protective eye wear
- plastic sheeting
- Supply of nonprescription drugs
- Pain relievers
- Cold medicines
- Decongestants
- Stomach remedies
- Duct tape
- Anti-diarrheal medication
- Essential oils
- Vitamins that have immune boosting enhancers (such as elderberry,
- Fluids with electrolytes (such as sports drinks)
- Bleach or disinfectant
- Tissues
- Garbage bags to collect soiled clothing and bedding before they are washed.
- A thermometer
- Latex gloves
- Impermeable shoe covers
- Disposable cleaning gloves (in quantity)
- Soap
- Hand wipes
- Alcohol-based hand sanitizers or homemade hand sanitizer supplies
- An extra supply of your regular prescription drugs and medical supplies.
- N100 respirator masks(in quantity)
Another think to keep in mind... alcohol based hand sanitizer and wipes are useless against both ebola and that nasty enterovirus 68 thats going around. Soap and water or bleach are the only things that kill those buggers.
Scary thought since as doctors and nurses go room to room in hospitals those foams are typically the only way they clean their hands right now.
While that is a neat list and some nifty info , all the supplies in the world won't amount to JACK SQUAT without proper training .
BEFORE anyone goes out and buys all that stuff , I'd say their money would be better spent if they would go to their nearest Army/Navy surplus and buy a copy of a CTT book , soldiers common task training .
Specifically , LEARN the section about MOPP gear and NBC decontamination , then you'll have an idea what all is involved in treating this stuff .
Keep in mind folks , even " professionals " get it wrong and with this stuff one screw up could be the last for you and everybody around you .
Why does her article reference Tychem protective suits with a link and your copy pasted list a Tyvek suit with a link?
The annual human flu in the U.S. "results in approximately 36,000 deaths and more than 200,000 hospitalizations each year.
- More than 480,000 deaths annually (including deaths from secondhand smoke)