We just had a dose of fear mongering from the Red Cross, now it appears the Erie County Health Department wants a part of the action.

A thousand body bags. Computer chips to plant on corpses to better track the dead. More saws for autopsies.

The Erie County Health Department wants to prepare for a swift-moving flu pandemic in which hundreds of people die. Health officials say they need $300,000 for basic items.

The amount includes nearly $100,000 for laboratory supplies to identify the influenza strain, $23,000 for protective gowns and eyewear for workers, and $73,000 for 800,000 masks to be given to residents - still too few for the county’s 930,000 people.

The Health Department also wants $27,000 for autopsy saws, bone-dust collectors and other protective equipment. It wants $5,000 for three laptop computers that will keep health personnel connected, no matter where they are, and $25,000 for 1,000 body bags to add to the hundreds the county already holds.

Some of the statements seem a bit suspect.

Many people in the United States died in two other pandemics: 69,800 in 1957 and 34,000 in 1968. The availability of vaccines and antibiotics lessened the numbers of deaths.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, the average annual number of flu deaths is 36,000. 

So far, the World Health Organization reports a small number of avian flu cases, 274 worldwide, with 167 deaths. But the organization, through its Web site, also says its experts believe the world is closer to another influenza pandemic than at any time since 1968.

That is the kind of ridiculous statement that supports my contention that fear mongering is in progress.  Of course we are closer to the next pandemic, we are also closer to completely wiping out the flu.  We are also closer to inter-galactic travel, not that it matters.

According to the facts, it has been 39 years since the last flu pandemic (1968).  39 years that could have been used to gradually prepare for the next one.  Instead, some genius just had an epiphany that requires immediate large expenditures for more supplies.

I don’t know what type of mask the Health Department plans to purchase.  They said the cost for 800,000 masks is $73,000.  That is about 9¢ per mask.  That doesn’t sound like it would afford much protection.  The mask pictured costs about 85¢ and is recommended by the CDC.

I would advise anyone who is worried to go out and buy their own mask and not rely on the government to save them.  That could be a fatal mistake.  The masks are not designed for long term use so I seriously question the value of the Health Department spending $73,000 on cheap, throw-away masks.  For $12.99 you can purchase a quality nano mask with 2 throw-away filters.  Extra filters are 10/$12.99.  You even have your choice of colors so you can coordinate your look with your other flu prevention accessories.

Source: Buffalo News - County tries to prepare for potential flu pandemic