Swine Flu Preventing Another Outbreak

There is a really neat article on treehugger.com on this very topic, that I think everyone needs to read. http://planetgreen.discovery.com/food-health/prevent-swine-flu-outbreak.html

I find this article really interesting, because it points out things that we can do prevent further pandemics from occurring. So instead of being fearful in the present, we can be proactive in creating a safer future. Does that sound familiar? Of course it does. This is the point that forward thinking individuals have been trying to get across, its not a new concept. Environmentalists tell us to think about future generations when considering our impact on the environment. Holistic health practitioners tell us to think about preventive medicine to ensure our future health. It seems simple enough , right? Act now , make life better for the future (your own and others). What a concept! It is disarmingly simple, almost too simple. But I guess it is still easier to take your free KFC than to consider the consequences. http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/05/oprah-free-kfc-swine-flu.php

That's a sidenote, but I would like to step back to the original post. The unsanitary nature of factory farms is not a secret. It is heavily publicized. This relates to the first suggestion of the article on the three things we can do to prevent pandemic. Buy organic Beef or none at all. Although beef is considered the worst meat production in terms of environmental destruction, you could extend this to other forms of meat as well. Am I asking everyone to go vegetarian? Of course not, but every little bit helps. Taking a step in that direction could make a huge difference in the future.

So, suggestion number two. Fly less. Well, that is easy for some of us. We are in a recession after all and flying is expensive. Of course you have to fly if you want to travel to Europe from D.C., but do you really need to fly from Dallas to Austin? It amazes me the amount of work related travel that goes on. I mean we are in the information technology age. It seems to me that it would be less expensive, less time consuming, and less dangerous for everyone involved (and indirectly involved- okay that would just be everyone else) if people would teleconference instead of commuting. This not only goes for long distance travel, but oftentimes for local travel as well. I mean it is impersonal to a point. Sometimes it is nice to sit down with an actual person and actually talk, but its not always necessary. Let's save some time, money and effort and just do it online more often. Why not?

Suggestion number three. Stay sanitary. Yep, sounds like a no-brainer. But life is not sanitary. I have a good collection of cloth hankerchiefs and these absolutely help. Carry your own and you will always have one with you when you need it. No having to wipe your nose on your sleeve. These things are all over www.etsy.com . Check out this one, so cute http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=19823496&ref=sr_list_1&&ga_search_query=cloth+kleenex+10&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=&order=&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title . And these are also nice http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24136273&ref=sr_list_9&&ga_search_query=cloth+kleenex+&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=&order=&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title . I know they do not say they are for hankerchiefs, but I know they would work fine.

Here is a link to my favorite hand sanitizer, no alcohol to dry out your hands. Safe and smells like thyme (that is the active ingridient) . Lasts a long time , so this is a very economical way to stay safe. http://www.cleanwelltoday.com/ .

I hope this blog is helpful in providing an alternative perspective on the swine flu scare. In our modern society, danger is high. We must adapt to our changing environment in order to survive. We must not fear the unknown, but we need to be aware and we need to be safe. We can protect ourselves from devastating circumstances, with a little forethought. I think these articles were very thought provoking and I hope that those who read this will agree.