dispatches from the new world of work

Bird Flu Tip Number ...

Senator Frist says a pandemic could cost the U.S. economy upwards of a half-trillion $$$$. The White House on Saturday war-gamed a pandemic.

On a more practical level, Grattan Woodson, in The Bird Flu Preparedness Planner, explains that "preventing dehydration in flu victims will save more lives than all the other treatments combined." The magic is a solution of 4 cups of clean water mixed with 3 tablespoons of sugar or honey and 1/4 teaspoon of salt.

Tom Peters posted this on 12/12/05.

Comments

Indeed. In the mid 70s, before going to work in rural development in Africa, a doctor spoke to our group about avoiding illness from flu or diarehha. I'll never forget it. "No one dies from flu...lots of folks die from dehydration."

He gave us the came recipie, but in a manner that we could teach anyone, even without measuring instruments. Take about a liter (a quart) of water, scoop sugar in your four fingers held together (that's the three tablespoons) and then a pinch of salt between your thumb and forefinger ( that's the 1/4 teaspoon), mix it up and keep drinking.

It works.

Not new. Very simple. Very effective.

Posted by Joe Ely at December 12, 2005 11:54 AM

Or you could stockpile Gatorade, since that's the recipe.

Posted by Mike at December 12, 2005 4:19 PM

I hope some one here caught the MadTV episode over the weekend where big bird caught the flu and killed off the entire sesame street crew. Their word of the day was pandemic.

Posted by Dau at December 13, 2005 12:38 PM

Once more we prove the basics are the new cutting edge.

Posted by Trevor Gay at December 14, 2005 9:54 AM

Thanks a lot for telling about the book and especially for the dehydratation preventing recipe. :)

Posted by Felix Gerena at December 14, 2005 2:18 PM

Sorry Joel, your link isn't working. Possibly a victim of the Avian virus. Can it infect blogs?

Posted by donhz at December 14, 2005 11:47 PM

uhoi

Posted by jjk at December 16, 2005 5:40 AM

And a shot of whiskey.

Posted by Field at December 16, 2005 10:56 AM