Comments

There is only one Tom, so be careful.

Posted by Stefan Engeseth at October 10, 2005 10:01 AM

Interesting Article and timely:
http://finance.yahoo.com/columnist/article/futureinvest/1143

Posted by RTodd at October 10, 2005 10:11 AM

Tom - I am glad that you wrote this because I too have been following this and feel like I want to put a neighborhood watch into effect as well as neighbors helping neighbors and stockpiling water and food and medications and money - I'm meeting with my grandchildren about going into public places and washing their hands, etc. Keeping prepared. I hope that you will always let us know your thoughts on this as we go along. Maybe we can creatively put together game plans to help each other. I do know of a web site in New York which is home preparedness and I will post it shortly. Thanks again.

Posted by s. guglielmi at October 10, 2005 11:16 AM

I have been stockpiling water since 9/11 - incase of some other terrorist trickery. Also included in my basement stockpile are candles, first aid kits, a (hand crank) rechargeable radio, tools, towels, etc. My family thinks I'm nuts. Now I will be giving serious consideration about laying in a large supply of canned food.

The previous poster is correct. We need to take a PSF view of this matter. Kudos to Tom Peters who made me more aware of this threat. Even more Kudos to Tom for being one of the best cheerleaders (I hope you don't mind that analagy, Tom)the United States workforce has.

Posted by Tom N at October 10, 2005 12:38 PM

I stockpiled for Y2K, and then in the classic spirit of Americans at our best, any number of nearby places accepted donations of stockpiled canned and packaged goods. So it was a double win--prepped in case of a problem followed by the opportunity to be helpful. (Also we had 20+ family members for Thanksgiving last year; a freak November Vermont thunderstorm knocked power out for 5 or 6 hours near dinner time. At first we pondered what to do, then had a "duh" moment--and remembered that our Y2K generator was available. Happy Thanksgiving!) (Life = Unintended consequences. Thank God! What if it was predictable? For one thing, I'd be out of a job.) (Reported from Moscow.)

Posted by tom peters at October 10, 2005 1:08 PM

I am sure there will be variations to the degree to which me/you should be prepared. Personally, I am hopeful that a pandemic would not impact the basic infrastructure like power and telecommunications (could be wrong). Therefore, seems like to me that you should begin by thinking what activities you perform that create face-to-face contacts like shopping, office work, speaking, and eating out; make plans around those first. Hey, maybe that WebVan Groceries Delivery business model will come back. The demand for telecommuting will certainly increase.

Posted by RTodd at October 10, 2005 2:28 PM

RTodd, my concern, other than physical, is that for starters millions of people are involved in "public-facing" activities, from stadium peanut vendors and urban bus and cab drivers to the many, many in Las Vegas, Orlando et al. If we decide to avoid most contact with one another, those jobs will temporarily cease--as in New Orleans. What if 10 million people become instantly (in a matter of weeks?) unemployed? Even if the power and telecomms grids are functioning, it will be chaotic and de-stabilizing.

Posted by tom peters at October 10, 2005 4:52 PM

NPR news story on today's (10/10/05) Morning Edition entitled "Preparing for a Potential Flu Pandemic"

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4952434

FYI - Tom N

Posted by Tom N at October 10, 2005 8:21 PM

Isn't the American/World economy based upon the assumption of unlimited, unending oil availability? We seem to be forgetting the true meaning of the words 'non-renewable resources' and frittering the precious fossil fuel gift of Earth on trips to the mall on the endless treadmill of consumption and consequent wage-slavery.
As the scouts say 'be prepared':
http://www.lifeaftertheoilcrash.net/LATOC/OurVillage.html

Posted by Avi Solomon at October 10, 2005 11:36 PM

Don't forget, ordinary flu kills 36,000 Americans every year - in the current climate of "hype" around avian flu, a little perspective can be reassuring.

Posted by Ali at October 11, 2005 2:40 AM

Calling out the H5N1 threat is more than overdue, and it will be awful whether it is contained geographically before it subsides or it goes global as predicted.

Let me play devil's advocate a bit. What was our appetite for 1-2 hour security lines at airports prior to 9/11? What would our reaction have been to the politician that recommended such precautions? How about removing our shoes? I would suggest that it would have been laughed off as chicken little reincarnate.

In light of the recent southern Asia earthquake and sad loss of life, what is our willingness to do what is needed on US west coast earthquakes? We know it is coming, but it's not just LA & SF. The Seattle/Vancouver area is expecting an 8 or 9. Ready to invest, now?
http://seattle.gov/projectimpact/pages/pioverview/hazardmapping/earthquake.htm

Millions are dying of AIDS in Africa. Bird flu of a different color? Lots of news coverage but where is the outrage?

With major apologies for the simplistic explanation, but Katrina deaths are measured in hundreds, and we're "shocked, SHOCKED!" at the mass confusion. Galveston, Texas is a sliver of an island. No more than a mile or so wide in some places. A catagory 4or 5 hurricane would blow it out like a birthday candle. Is it inevitable that is will be wiped out. Ready to invest,now?

How much are we prepared to invest, right now, on these other known disasters that are here or are on the way? It is a cold, economic calculation.

Posted by Jeff at October 11, 2005 6:28 AM

Thanks for scaring me to death, TP.

Posted by S. Anthony Iannarino at October 11, 2005 8:24 AM

If thousands are saved from H5N1 (or even if the probability of saving thousands goes up) as a result of the government's pure political instinct to prevent the "look" of another Katrina, then to some extent the Katrina 1000 will not have died in vain.

Posted by tom peters at October 11, 2005 11:01 AM

Tom, a distinctly different strategy seems to be emerging from talk radio in the US (which more & more Americans are turning to for trenchant public policy analysis and advice): kill chickens and stockpile Jack Daniels.

Posted by John O'Leary at October 11, 2005 12:01 PM

This is added here because it comes from the interest in product design, and fashion this page believes in. One small idea we may need, on keeping your health as you shop and move about.

Adding to the work environment healthy fashion, that keep people and worker, from directly handling products that are handled by the general public. Or that protect one, from direct contact with the people you deal with everyday, can reduce this personal public contact. As strange as the suggestion may be, the heavy face scarf and burqua fashion for both men and woman, and gloves and glasses, are not that far from what tomorrow's answers to this health issue may need.

Posted by Mike Reardon at October 11, 2005 4:39 PM

Same than Anthony...Shall I prepare to run away to the family country house too?

Posted by Omara at October 11, 2005 4:42 PM

"Ali" - actually 87,000 USA citizens die annually from influenza - average over the last few years. Katrina showed if you live in a trouble area of poor and violent prospects - then when chaos starts - violence and lack of governance continues until outside forces step in - best to step in early and often [wake up Nagin].

That is part of chaos theory to me - stay with or find a most peaceful healthful family support environment then make the best of it and take the opportunity to aid and help neighbors.

Posted by Sean at October 12, 2005 8:32 AM

Mike, on a related note, not H5N1 specific, I recently read an excellent book on wellness & prevention by an M.D. In summing up, he said that if, looking back on a long professional life, he were forced to offer but a single piece of advice, it would not, important as they are, be diet or excercise, but: "Wash your hands."

Posted by tom peters at October 12, 2005 11:10 AM

Bob Hope lost his partner early in the 20th century due to fatal food poisoning. He always accredited his long life on eating quality food.

I like the signs in the restrooms of our local big-box retailer that say "WASH YOUR HANDS--IT'S THE LAW!" Nowhere on the sign does it mention that it is the law for employees. I wonder how many people have taken it seriously, especially dads with little kids in tow. "See, I told you if you didn't wash your hands the police would come for you..."

Posted by Mike at October 12, 2005 11:48 AM

Tom - I love the quote from the MD - I have written elsewhere 'The basics are the new cutting edge' - the MD quote says it all for me :-)

Posted by Trevor at October 12, 2005 3:54 PM

thanks for sharing your thoughts!!

Posted by Sang Hwang at October 19, 2005 10:17 PM