Impending Pandemic - why people show no concern?

Since last couple of years, I feel unsettled for the fact that people are not thinking much about the impending Pandemic. WHO and leading doctors have given dire warning that it is not the question of if, but when that the avian flu will mutate to Killer Flu that will strike the world. It is estimated that 180-360 million people could die.

Since I live in Singapore and my larger family in Mumbai (India), I am especially concerned. Singapore being a traffic hub for air flights or ships, it is almost certain that the pandemic will come to Singapore. It is also almost certain that it will pass through Mumbai (India). Last pandemic of Spanish Flu in 1918-1919, 20 million (of 40 million world wide) Indians died!

While death is a tragedy in itself, even more horrifying is the panic and fear that will make people kill each other, many of us will abandon their spouse on the slight pretext, numerous parents will abandon their small sick children, many neighbors with slight suspicion will lock the door of the suspect victim from the outside to avoiding spread of contagion. I am not imaging this from thin air, these things have happened in the past epidemics. During the plague of 1665 that hit London, people committed horrifying brutalities during the Plague. In Surat (India), during the Plague of 1994, a time when the disease is well understood, things were no better. Most of the doctors ran away out of the city followed by the mass exodus of general population. The people who were leaving the city were at risk of getting killed by locals where they went. Today the bubonic plague is well understood and is contagious and treatable.

While government of most countries now have good plan for the Killer Flu, they cannot think of all scenarios and it can easily fail. Such top-down approach, while important, is not a fool proof approach. For example, in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina, even the USA government was largely unprepared and there was anarchy and looting. With killer flu on rampage, one can only imagine the chaos it might create, especially in developing countries.

A ground level approach is also needed. Here are three things that I can think that government should help ordinary citizens do:

1. Reducing Fear Having knowledge of a disease greatly reduces fear. For example, Bubonic plague does not spread human to human, but mostly by rat-flea-human. A rat that has died for couple of days, could still spread plague because the fleas on the rat are desperate to find another host. Having brief knowledge of the disease can greatly reduce fear. It is a tragedy that the Plague outbreaks can still create fear in people. Killer Flu will not be that easy, as it is contagious and like cold it will spread like wild fire. Still knowledge of the disease will help people take precautions.
   
2. Facing Boldly: Running away from the city is not a good idea. As an individual it is perhaps right thing to do to minimize the individual risk. But as a society, if you are the carrier, you will spread to others. In case of pandemic, it is not even practical to leave the city. The border may be closed while fleeing and you may be in no-man's land and suffer a worse fate. The best thing is to show a soldier spirit and behave like a responsible citizen. Nature on it's part will show enough cruelity. Imagine the parents die of Flu, leaving the kids orphaned! This is quite likely, as Flu kills mostly people with strong immunity (age of 20-35 years) than people with poor immunity (small kids or old people). Knowing that in case I am dead, my kids will be taken care of othera, will make me less fearful and willing to help others.


3. Enough Food Supply: Having a month of food supply in the house is always a good idea. Nower days, canned food, pasta, lentils, rice and even milk is available that can last without refregiration for many years. Keep consuming the old ones and replinishing them so nothing is wasted. Storing in advance is better than hoarding (and depriving others) during the pandemic

The world governments and UN should play more active role in preparing ordinary citizens. Afterall during the height of the cold war, in 1950s, nuclear war drill was a part of an American life's routine and was taken very seriously.

Helping the kids improve

Everyone like to see their kids excel better than their parents and I am no exception. My wife and myself always think ways to make the kids busy with something that can be also educational.

With recent holidays coming, we are desperate to find some creative things that kids can do during the day. Some ideas that come to mind are:

• Writing Essays - Mind Maps - Recently I purchased the book - Mind Maps for Kids by Tony Buzan, who introduced the idea of Mind Map. The book emphasizes that we do not use the right brain creatively, which are into colors, diagrams, dimensions, day dreaming. Instead, we use left side of brain which is into logic, list and words. So by using diagrams (right-side of brain), one can quickly collect the thoughts, remember things and it can be fun. I am skeptic about the use of color as one usually never remember our dreams in color. However, I take Tony's word for now. Recently I got drawing pads and color pens so that I can teach them to draw Mind Map. Since my kids do lot of drawing due to motivation from my wife, I think the Mind Map will take them to next level! I have not tried the Mind Map on my kids as yet nor I have planned how I am going do as yet.
  


• Structuring the language: Recently a colleague told me about structuring thoughts and found it greatly useful. The idea is: when thinking about any topic to write or speak. Think about the main topic and question How some thing happened, Where some thing happened, When some thing happened, What something, Why some thing happened. Suddenly lot of questions spring up in the mind. The answers to these questions are often easy. Collect these question/answers, rearrange and you have an essay! I have seen people, who can do without writing! This can be used in conjunction with the Mind Maps.
  


• Science Center (in Singapore) - I live in Singapore from where the Science Center is at the walking distance. I think science center is great way to learn things. Lately, I am taking my kids to watch the stars and planets via telescope in the science center. I do not see great impact on the kids as yet. However, in my opinion, these positive affirmations will help kids develop positively. Besides, I spend quality time with kids. In USA, I presume the small science museums are fairly common. Universities that have telescope, usually have free public viewing on weekly or monthly basis.