Hi Judy,
Yes, I hesitated to post on the subject at all, as I do seem to remember that some people on the avian flu thread panicked?
People differ, and I like to remain somewhat informed. In my faith, we 'pray' (calling it something else) 50% of the time for world conditions. To 'direct' prayer or healing, it's as well to know the news in order to 'take good aim'!
So while the media can be somewhat negative, in general, one can avoid it but things such as war or recession reach us anyway, if only indirectly. I'm also a great believer in prayer, and would advise it is used globally such as on the subject of this thread - the virus and the fear - however there is the potential of a real pandemic. 1918 isn't just imagination. So those who can remain free via spiritualism - oops, I mean spirituality :p (an in-joke) - can be the world-healers at such a future time. 🙂
V
I'm also a great believer in prayer, and would advise it is used globally such as on the subject of this thread - the virus and the fear - however there is the potential of a real pandemic. 1918 isn't just imagination. So those who can remain free via spiritualism - oops, I mean spirituality :p (an in-joke) - can be the world-healers at such a future time. 🙂
It is interesting to note that in 1918 it was the end of World War 1. I have my suspicions that given the state of fear that people had been living in during the war and the hardships they endured; the loss and grief, the worry etc this created the perfect 'atmosphere or breeding ground' for a virus to attack. Immunity would have been low; and viruses love lowered immunity.
It is interesting to note that in 1918 it was the end of World War 1. I have my suspicions that given the state of fear that people had been living in during the war and the hardships they endured; the loss and grief, the worry etc this created the perfect 'atmosphere or breeding ground' for a virus to attack. Immunity would have been low; and viruses love lowered immunity.
Good point Rosi! Not only fear and hardship, but hatred, which is much more deadly. Hasn't there been a huge amount of hatred in the world now too - not only religiously - motivated but also aimed at governments and bankers in particular?
Judy
It is interesting to note that in 1918 it was the end of World War 1. I have my suspicions that given the state of fear that people had been living in during the war and the hardships they endured; the loss and grief, the worry etc this created the perfect 'atmosphere or breeding ground' for a virus to attack. Immunity would have been low; and viruses love lowered immunity.
I don't think we can get too metaphysical about many things, but in the so-called 'real world' of contagion among normal people we can get too metaphysical IMHO.
The 1918 flu has been traced back, so far as is possible, to Kansas, USA. I don't think many people there in 1918 knew much of the war as we would today. If we blamed flu pandemics on war, there'd be a lot of them. There's always war, and what of WWII? From what I know of WWI, people not at the front didn't know much at all of what was going on there, and had rather rose-tinted news reports. Most of the world (who still suffered the epidemic) were not even involved!
Judy, you take up the same theme. I really do believe that in a world of perfect emotional and spiritual harmony, Nature itself would calm down - Nature in many other forms and through other activities too. Pandemics from my PoV have to be viewed from the perspective of karma: global karma. So yes, to both of you in general - but I don't think we can paint a link between WWI and the flu then. It's probably just that famous year which sticks in our mind, 1918, which then triggers a psycholocal thought of a relationship, IMHO.
V
I don't think we can get too metaphysical about many things, but in the so-called 'real world' of contagion among normal people we can get too metaphysical IMHO.
Actually we can Venetian. Dis-ease is metaphysical, not just physical.
It is well known that when atrocities occur, illness statistics rise in the neighbouring area.
World War I was the first war where many countries were involved in the conflict, not just one isolated place, and I just think it is interesting to note that the epidemic occured at around the time World War 1 ended.
I'm not blaming wars in general for epidemics, but they do cause dis-ease, and if you think that many countries were at war, with rations, fear, loss, grief, worry, hunger and a lowered immune system it is more than probable that these conditions allowed a virus that normally wouldn't kill many, to kill thousands and millions.
Yes, Rosi1, it's not much of a strong point I'm making really. I just wouldn't myself relate WWI with the flu of 1918.
However, I agree more generally for sure. The world all works metaphysically, mind and Spirit (not just mind) over matter. Actually matter IMHO is crystallised Spirit - crystallised according to human thought and emotional patterns. (Just before the New Orleans flood which swamped the city, a spiritual teacher was warning that a glut just then of Armageddon films - huge tidal waves, etc. - could have Nature outpicture in just such a way.
That's why I agree most usually with Judy's view of Spirit (worked through us in cooperation with the Divine) over matter. Often I get into this state, which I know is quite real, and in fact a deeper insight into reality, when all the 'physical' things around me and throughout the world, along with circumstances, emotions, large-scale problems, just almost disappear. You see all there is, in front, behind, right and left, above and below, and in other dimensions, as being a perfect clear pool of Perfection. But at a 'lower level' this pool of perfection is very susceptible to human thought and feeling - and is easily shaped into imperfection. But of course, can be unshaped back to perfection as well. In that state - which isn't so very profound, but just reached in strong prayer - the unreality of "reality" is clear, as is how easily it can be shaped back into the "perfect pool" as I think of it.
Well - didn't mean to go on! But it's such an insight: I wish that I kept it throughout all of every day, and that more people got it. It's very clear to me that it is real, and to not perceive it is the nature of illusion....
V
I must step in and say that the spread of the flu virus at the end of WW1 was due to the hugh movement of troops and personnel from various continents, troops returning home, wherever home was brought the virus with them, a dreadfully cold winter also added to the severity, which weakened the immune system, hence the spread. The lack of medicines available at the time, knowledge on how to prevent the spread, etc, etc
The current Public Health Guidelines are based on past outbreaks, learning through mistakes made in the past, building on knowledge, scientific research, etc, etc, at the moment public health here in the UK has geared up in line with the World Health Organisation who monitor all outbreaks all over the world, they have a melting pot of experts who meet regularly, discuss trends and what to do when something happens.
There have been many mock up's and tests working with multi-agencies 'what if' scenarios, how to deal with an outbreak of 'whatever' how would each locality deal with it, etc, etc, it has been on going for many, many years.
If you look on the Public Health, WHO websites there are links where this information is available for all to see. I dont have the time at the moment to find the actual links that I am referring to.
I think people have to be sensible, follow the guidelines found on the websites, TV, Radio and dont telephone for information unless you have had contact with someone from Mexico, who have the symptoms, etc,
And yes I have taken numerous calls and past the calls to whoever is best to answer the caller.
Fudge
Mark my words: Big Pharma is going flat out to produce a vaccine for this Fall for the start of the next flu season. They will say that the "second wave" of this flu will be much deadlier.
What US news hasn't said is that every year thousands die from the flu as a matter of course. So far, there have been no deaths in the US from swine flu. Most of the people who have had it have recovered already. So if that stays the same, people will be less concerned this coming Fall, seeing as things weren't as bad as predicted.
I remember a Mexican co-worker, many years ago, telling me that the brown haze above Mexico City wasn't industrial pollution, although that was part of it. It was dried fecal matter from the open sewers. That is why people get sick when they visit even though they follows all the precautions.
You'll notice that the swine flu has booted the sorry state of the economy from the front pages, much to the relief of all the politicians.
I can't help but think conspiracy theory. I have no evidence, it's just a feeling I have. This virus certainly takes the mind off the economy...
I can't help but think conspiracy theory. I have no evidence, it's just a feeling I have. This virus certainly takes the mind off the economy...
Funny you should say that: that same thought has crossed my mind too....
Funny you should say that: that same thought has crossed my mind too....
Good point. I work for the company that makes the most famous brand of tissue in the world. The sales figures over the last few years don't make for good reading (you may remember I was due to be made redundant a while back but that was changed) so it has crossed our minds too ........
Funny you should say that: that same thought has crossed my mind too....
I don't think you are the ony one! It had crossed my mind too - and they have these vast stock of Tamiflu which will have a sell-by date. I am not convinced it's of any use anyway! See Mercola here and Natural News here. A new vaccine takes a minimum of 6 months to produce, and the previous ones are for other strains.
Makes a good sidetrack for the polititians though!!
I think you're all spot-on... the flu "outbreak" IS a diversion from the current political news; it IS a great opportunity for pharmaceutical companies (though less good for travel companies); and it DOES seem to be a pretty feeble strain of the flu, unlike other strains that kill thousands around the world every year without anyone getting at all excited about it.
It's also a reminder of how easily alarmed some people can be. Colleagues of mine have seen people walking around London with face-masks on - why? what DO they think they are doing??
I was just reading a post on another messageboard from someone who returned from holiday in Mexico with his family two or three weeks ago. Even though, for his peace of mind, he has checked with his doctor that they are at no risk whatsoever, he said his children's teachers have phoned them twice in a panic - and other parents have asked for the school to be closed! And all for an illness that seems to be about as dangerous as a light dose of the sniffles.
As it happens, I do believe that one day there might well be a serious pandemic (one of my GPs has told me he has been involved in the planning for a pandemic that could pretty much bring London to a halt, and who am I to disbelieve the experts?) but I'm pretty sure of one thing: this ain't it.
The World Health Organisation has decided to raise the pandemic alert from 4 to 5. Please refer to following link: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/statements/2009/h1n1_20090429/en/index.html
The article doesn't mention though, what exactly the rational behind the decision to raise the alert levels is. Yes, it is mentioned that expert advise is being followed, but what is the advise based on?
Yes, it is mentioned that expert advise is being followed, but what is the advise based on?
From the WHO website:
Phase 5 is characterized by human-to-human spread of the virus into at least two countries in one WHO region. While most countries will not be affected at this stage, the declaration of Phase 5 is a strong signal that a pandemic is imminent and that the time to finalize the organization, communication, and implementation of the planned mitigation measures is short.
Myarka.