(If this has already been discussed, sorry for the department of redundancy department.)

Of all the startling facts and conclusions contained in the 164-page Senate report, the one tidbit that hit me right between the eyes is on page 50:

"Nearly 40 million Americans are chronically ill or physically impaired."

Combined with the fact that the health care industry was singled out for harsh criticism by the senators, it seems to me that the risk of a major spike in mortality statistics next year is all too real.

Got coffins?

-- rick blaine (y2kazoo@hotmail.com), March 04, 1999

Answers

Rick, add in those requirng certain medications, can't take care or fend for themselves, have no military, scouting, or outdoor experience, and the numbers are even more staggering. We have a "catered" to population in this country, with an extremely large percentage that has never even slept on the ground. We are extremely vulnerable!

-- (snowleopard6@webtv.net), March 04, 1999.

Rick, add in those requirng certain medications, can't take care or fend for themselves, have no military, scouting, or outdoor experience, and the numbers are even more staggering. We have a "catered" to population in this country, with an extremely large percentage that has never even slept on the ground. We are extremely vulnerable!

-- (snowleopard6@webtv.net), March 04, 1999.

Not only that, but think of all the kids on ritalyn and the adults on Prozac/Halcyon. I swear some folks can hardly handle reality as it is is now.

-- Tim (pixmo@pixelquest.com), March 04, 1999.

Rick, when you read the report, it is very clear that these 40 million people are not just in grave jeopardy from the healthcare industry, but from everything else the report points out; brown-outs, transportation etc.

Mass death is inevitable and the report supports what we discussed in earlier threads from the past 2 weeks.

Has Mutha Nachu, Paul Davis, Maria et al read the entire report? Will they bother? Will they dare showing their noses on this thread?

-- Chris (catsy@pond.com), March 04, 1999.

This is all no surprise to me, but still hits home. My wife is chronically ill (5 major surgeries in 6 years and they're not done yet) and requires serious and various meds to keep functioning. We sometimes joke that we singlehandedly keep some pharmaceutical stock prices up. My son is on Ritalin, but I'm less concerned about that, since he'll have plenty of ways to expend energy (read "work") if thing go seriously sideways. He'll be too busy and too tired to give anyone much grief.

The medical "shortfall" is my major concern. It's extremely difficult to stockpile meds for more than a roughly 60 day supply, and Herself will fail quickly once the meds run out. No way to address it at present. If the regs change, we'll be able to increase the stockpile.

-- Mac (sneak@lurk.com), March 04, 1999.

We sure have surrendered our self-reliance to delicate and vulnerable systems! Let's work to get some back one step every day.

-- Watchful (seethesea@msn.com), March 04, 1999.

two words: nursing homes.

-- Arlin H. Adams (ahadams@ix.netcom.com), March 04, 1999.

Hey, I'm one of those 40 million people!!! Some of us are working our fingers to the bone trying to protect our families!!! I know that many people will die, but I have no intention of being one of them. Why do you think I've been canning and learning about herbal first aid?

-- Flagirl (Filterlady@aol.com), March 05, 1999.

If you are like me and have insurance that will only pay for medications one month at a time, you need to get with your Dr and get creative. If he is not a GI then get a Dr that is. Mine is a GI and has doubled all of my Rx therefore allowing me to stock pile meds this year. I don't feel the least bit guilty about my insurance having to pay the bill as I won't be billing them in 2000. My meds are running over $600/month and I find that very scarey. Having been a person who never took more than an aspirin, I am very pissed off at my body failing me now when I need it the most.

Got a boiling cauldron and herbs?

-- Taz (tassie@aol.com), March 05, 1999.

Rick: Your tag line "got coffins" hit me right between the eyes. I hope you all understand that I love my father very much but am praying that he will die BEFORE January. (He's end-stage Alzheimer's right now) I watched my mother die in '97 and have a mother-in-law who's 80 and great aunt who's 85. I am not anxious to go through all this and yet must face the possiblity of having to take care of disabled/disoriented elderly relatives in the next few years. Taking care of my four kids is a breeze compared to what my elderly relatives will need. Back to shoveling out from under the pile. (And you guys thought I meant elephunt poop on the Circus thread, didn't you?) Linda

-- newbiebutnodummy (Linda@home.com), March 05, 1999.

From the PBS interview of Senators Bennett and Dodd ...

... we discovered -- Bob and I did -- in the last 24, 48 hours that 80 percent of the ingredients in all US-manufactured pharmaceutical products come from offshore. That proposes some serious problems in a sense that we're having difficulties offshore getting those products to make the pharmaceuticals that are needed; 40 million Americans require some prescription drugs every day and that could pose a serious risk as well. ...

TRANSCRIPT: PBS NewsHour with Jim Lehrer On Y2K (Senators Bennett & Dodd, Bruce Webster & Gartner Group Rep)

http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id= 000Z2l

Thats the part that hit me. Personally I just use herbs, and dont visit doctors. But so-o-o-o many people, my little ole mother included, are drug dependants within the HMO medical system.

Diane *Bigger Sigh*

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), March 05, 1999.

Also, interesting little web-site, geared to vunerable populations. - - Diane

The Community Preparedness Project Web-site

http://www.preparenow.org/

Supporting special needs and vulnerable populations in disaster situations

Vulnerable Populations Links

http:// www.preparenow.org/pop.html

For the purposes of this site the definition of a "vulnerable population" includes groups that feel they cannot comfortably or safely access and use the standard resources offered in disaster preparedness, relief and recovery. This includes, but is not limited to those who are physically or mentally disabled (blind, Deaf, hard- of-hearing, cognitive disorders, mobility limitations), limited or non-English speaking, geographically or culturally isolated, medically or chemically dependent, homeless, frail/elderly and children.

Disaster Links (Good list)

Traditional Emergency Service Providers

http:// www.preparenow.org/links.html

While many groups come forward to provide service to the public after a disaster, the largest, most well-known, and most visible of the direct service providers are the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army. Both are large, international, well-respected organizations with the ability to draw on national human and financial resources to support their public feeding and public shelter operations. In northern California, both Red Cross and Salvation Army participate in the local Community Collaborative Groups. Members of the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD) and the Northern California Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NORCAL VOAD) participate in the Community Collaborative Groups as well.

The California Office of Emergency Services (OES) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have responsibility for the state and federal government emergency activities respectively. Designated California OES and FEMA staff have been active participants and supporters of the Community Collaborative Groups. The Office of Emergency Services is committed to insuring that plans and operations are inclusive and sensitive to the needs of the most vulnerable members in each community. Working with the Community Collaborative Groups has been shown to be an efficient and effective means to fulfill that commitment.

Multi-language Disaster Preparedness Information

The majority of the information included here was developed by community-based organizations in areas affected by the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake in Northern California. Most of these organizations have neither the staff, nor the funding, to provide disaster preparedness information in any form other than what is available on this site. Please select the desired language below to review available preparedness products.

[English, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog (Philippines), Punjabi (India), Portugese, Chinese]

http:// www.preparenow.org/prepare.html

BASIC TIPS IN EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS FOR SENIORS & PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

In the event of a serious disaster everyone should be self-sufficient for at least three days without help or emergency services, with streets closed and with no stores open. There may be no electricity, gas, water or telephone service. Remember your home is the best place to stay -- if it is not too badly damaged to be safe.

THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS TO HAVE: ... (Useful list)

http:// www.preparenow.org/ba-eprep.html

Volunteer Center of Marin
A Guide to Organizing Neighborhoods for Disaster Preparedness, Response and Recovery

[Its basic, but a start]

Index:

Organization/Structure Progression Guide
Using This Guide
First Things First. Make Lists! Get information! Don't Reinvent the Wheel!
After That
Setting up the First Neighborhood Meeting
Parts of the First Neighborhood Meeting
List of Materials for Neighborhood Meetings
The Second Neighborhood Meeting

http:// www.preparenow.org/marin-g.html

Yerba Buena Consortium and other Contributing Organizations
Yerba Buena Neighborhood Earthquake Preparedness Program

Section Contents
i. Introduction
ii. Overview
I. Preparation
II. Community Coordination and Response
III. Coordination with Government Services
IV. Outreach and Training
V. Food and Water
VI. Shelter
VII. First Aid
VIII. Vulnerable Populations/Agency Protocols
IX. Security and Sanitation
X. Advocacy
XI. Emergency Operations Center
XII. Appendices

http:// www.preparenow.org/ybplan.html

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), March 05, 1999.

Mac,

You might consider looking into alternative ways to treat your child that is on Ritalin. It is a class-2 narcotic (as I recall); in the same class as medical heroin and other illegal drugs.

It also appears to cause permanent brain damage.

There are numerous ways to help your child without drugging him/her.

Specifically, vitamin and mineral supplementation appears to help considerably, as does diet modification. Chromium and vanadium as a combination supplement helps greatly, as does a no-sugar/junk food diet. Check with a local health food store; they ought to be able to point you in the right direction.

-- Bill (billclo@hotmail.com), March 05, 1999.

Bill -

Appreciate the input. We've been dealing with my son's "doubled-edged sword" for about 5 years now, ever since we had to remove him from school for what were termed "behavioral reasons". He has since been able to rejoin public school and is doing quite well, considering. All the strengths and weaknesses of the ADD/ADHD profile...

Well aware of issues and classification of methylphenidate. Diet mods already in place. Any first-hand experience (self or immediate family) of efficacy of vitamin/mineral therapies?

Gad, I've gone WAY off-topic re Y2K. Sorry, all...

-- Mac (sneak@lurk.com), March 05, 1999.

Mac,

I'm glad to see that you have tried the alternative to drugging your child. My wife is consistently complaining how many parents don't give a damn about their kids; just give them some pills because some psychobabbler said that they'd help, without doing research into less harmful alternatives. Ritalin is one of her best sellers, and she hates it, because she knows what it's doing to those poor kids. People don't want to hear it, generally.

I'll ask her about first-hand knowledge of anyone using the vitamin/mineral route. I can say firsthand that the chromium/vanadium mix has cured my cravings for sugar. I eat treats because I like a treat, not because my body demands it. :)

-- Bill (billclo@hotmail.com), March 06, 1999.

And what about people like one of my best friend who is on a retirement disability - from a terrible accident (she can barely walk) and need extensive pain medication, along with the fact that she has been a diabetic for 50+ years? She is trying to get at least 6 months ahead on her insulin - without which she is DEAD. Insurance and medecaire are fighting her every inch of the way even though Bennet says the health care system is a big mess. We read that 70% of the insulin in this country comes from one company in Belgium. If so, even if that company is compliant, how is that insulin going to get distributed out here to Washington state if air transportation and ship transportation etc etc etc is all disrupted? Anybody want to trade places with her?? Anybody going to write Y2K bug as cause of death on death certificate? Anybody?

-- Valkyrie (anon@please.net), March 06, 1999.

There's an interesting loop in this thread because chromium + vanadium is apparantly a sufficient replacement for insulin, if you wean off the insulin and onto the minerals. I realise this is a big call to make, but from memory there has been university research which strongly suggested this conclusion.

-- humptydumpty (no.6@thevillage.com), March 06, 1999.

Mac,

I did talk to my wife, and she knows of 2 cases where her customers took her advice and tried the alternative therapies instead of drugging the child.

They used chromium/vanadium, no processed sugar diet, minimize processed foods (more grains, fiber, more fruits/veggies), no sodas, and it helped considerably. Good natural multi-vitamins also, specifically the B-vitamins.

She also said that the biggest problem in beating the "disorder" is not what you'd think. Her customer's biggest problems were in when they told the school that they were taking the children off the Ritalin. They freaked, and accused the parents of child abuse, and refused to stop dispensing the drug. (whose child is it anyways? The school apparently thinks it's the STATE'S, not the parents).

The chromium/vanadium seems to promote insulin production/improve utilization in most people, and the sugar cravings are usually caused by a mineral difficiency in chromium (since our soil is extremely poor in this mineral). The soil is plain wore out. Has been since the 1930's when there was a Senate report to that effect.

I know that I don't get sugar cravings anymore since I started to take the supplements.

-- Bill (billclo@hotmail.com), March 06, 1999.