I read a post about this two months ago or so, but it may have been another forum, so I'll bring it up again.

When the grid fails, the cities will soon experience failures in their sewage & water systems, won't they? In a city like New York, or D.C., or wherever, won't there be REALLY NASTY repercussions to such failures? We can assume that the sanitation system will be off-line, as well. Rats! I really mean it, too, RATS!!!

What sorts of diseases would raise their hideous faces in such a situation? What could anyone do to protect themselves?

When we bought our house, it was a bit cheaper because it had a septic tank, not sewer. Now I'm very glad! Now if we can just get that well dug....

Any thoughts or suggestions for our urban friends and loved ones?

-- Arewyn (nordic@northnet.net), October 21, 1998

Answers

I recently read The Millennium Bug by Michael Hyatt .Excellent book, and scarier than Time Bomb. He discusses the spread of disease via insects. The CDC has lots of stuff you might not even want to read, but try this: gartner@execpc.com), October 21, 1998.

Sorry!

Let's try this: http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/pubcatns/1994/cdc/books/housing/cha3.htm

-- Mike (gartner@execpc.com), October 21, 1998.

Several of the nasty sisters like cholera, diphtheria, typhoid etc. are apt to put in a fresh appearance if there are sanitary system breakdowns. If you have a good GP talk to him/her, or ask your health dept. about vaccinations.

Dig your well at least 100 feet from any part of your septic system (don't forget your buried drainfield), and uphill also while you're at it. Best wishes,

nemo...

-- nemo (nemo@deepsix.com), October 21, 1998.

If mass death comes from Y2K, it will be overwhelmingly caused by disease. Thus is why water storage/filtration/sterilization is so important.I agree with the immunization statement, especially diptheria and typhoid. Cholera immunization is only good for 6 - 12 months. I'm getting mine 12/99.

-- R. D..Herring (drherr@erols.com), October 21, 1998.

I recently read in Discover that typhoid kills 20-30% of the people who get it. Another recent news article - did you know that over 10,000 people died from the flu in Philadelphia around 1908! It's not like major disease is unheard of in the US in this century.

-- Ray Givler (dont@mail.com), October 22, 1998.

Folks;

As you list your future innoculations, be sure to remember Typhus (as opposed to Typhoid they're different). The list should include but not be limitted to: Tetanus, typhoid, Typhus, Diptheria, Pertusus (or whooping cough), Cholera, etc. Consult with your doc as if you were planning a trip to one of the less well developped regions of the world. (but be straight with him/her so that you can inform one more person!!!)

Remember that dysentery (-2sp?) is an amoebic disease and cannot be innoculated for but CAN debilitate you very quickly and kills fairly often without agressive support and treatment. This is why you filter, or purify, or boil your water. Other things to remember include giardia, Cryptosporidium, etc. which are filterable.

cr

-- Chuck a Night Driver (rienzoo@en.com), October 23, 1998.