Again, not to dismiss the serious nature of a potential pan-epidemic, but anticipating a change or attempting to change one’s occupation to reduce one’s exposure to an infectious agent like the avian flu, comes across as slightly paranoid. There have been many media reported/driven situations (killer bees, Y2K, possible and real terrorist’s attacks, natural disasters, etc.) that had the potential to change life as we know it on a global scale and yet somehow society continues along and in general (except by those directly affected) pretty much unaffected.

All disaster/survival situations require some degree of risk assessment, planning and management, to prevent paralyses of action, when an event occurs. When asked as to how to prepare for the multitudes of possible natural or manmade disasters, I always feel it is best not to go overboard, but to prepare as if one was to be faced with an upcoming major storm of some type. Cover the basics for you and your family. Making major life-altering changes to meet or attempts to mitigate some possible/perceived threat does not make sense to me.

I work in an infectious disease lab and volunteer in Emergency Services, so my chances of encountering any life threatening infectious agent is quite high. What do I plan on doing differently to face the possibility of becoming infected with avian flu, nothing really. I will still wash my hands, not touch my eyes or other mucous membranes until I have done so, wear gloves/masks where and when appropriate, get any recommended vaccinations for any agent which I might encounter. I will still likely get sick, if not with the avian flu, then some other flu or infectious agent. It is the nature/price of living with other people.

Just my humble opinion-

Pete