Urban Survival - My Older Friends Getting Prepared

I have some friends, an older couple, not their real names but I'll call them Bill and Betty, both in their early 60's and raising a granddaughter who is 20 years old and attending community college.  Both of them have started a preparedness plan for themselves and their granddaughter.  They recognize what our politicans seemingly do not, that this country is heading for a major collapse,...whether it comes gradual or is an "all of a sudden WTSHTF" scenario is anyone's guess.  I guess their are advantages and disavantages to both scenarios or collapse timelines, but nevertheless, preparation to survive is necessary.   

Anyway , these friends of mine are starting to put some food away.  Betty is a homemaker and Bill works as a supervisor at a local plant.   Betty has started a garden this year, repalcing her flowers with vegetables and has revisiting the ability to can with a procurement of a pressure cooker and a couple cases of mason jars.  Bill has pulled his shotguns and hunting rifle out of the closet and is looking to get a handgun and an semi-auto rifle.

The other weekend both stopped by and asked what else I thought they could do.  They warned me that they are not the type to grab a couple of Bug Out Bags and "head for hills".  I said of course not, but they would have to have some sort of plan (and contingencies - remember PACE planning?) in case their Bug In plan would lead to certain death,.....either through starvation or a violent end.  So they are re-looking that aspect.  It's a hard thing to do,...be older than some.....and look at your retirement years with anxiety.
SO I told them the easy things they could right now are: 

Get Betty a cell phone.  Bill and the granddaughter both have them and Betty should as well.

Get onto the County's emergency notification text system, where the county government sends out warning messages via text alerts on the weather, power shortages, water shortages and natural disasters. 

Get a family locator system for the cell phones, where you can go to a web based application and geo-locate any of your phones. 

Have some safe areas planned for rally points.  For travel to and from the plant, or grocery sore or college, determine best places to hole up if need be.  If natural or man made disasters make a safe place necessary,...and this becomes a rally point where people can find you.

Join or develop a Neighborhood Crime Watch group in your area.  Local Law Enforcement supports this,....and it is free to do,...only costs time.   The great thing about this is two fold:  you get to know your neighbors and you develop some sort of organization and can be very useful when the collapse hits.     
        
I also told Bill that a concealed handgun class and permit would be a good idea both him, Betty and the granddaughter.

Finally, Bill is old enough to know the history of Gold and Silver in this country and understand the value of having some put away. It is not too late to start. I suggested to them to start buying a little Silver as they could.

Urban Survival Planning - Influenza Immunizations

Subject: Influenza Vaccinations

The 2010-2011 influenza (flu) season is right around the corner and the Government is recommending all citizens get a flu shot. Seasonal influenza kills an estimated 36,000 people in the United States each year. Flu vaccines are based on predicting which mutants of H1N1, H3N2, H1N2, and influenza B will spread in the next season. Separate vaccines are developed for the Northern and Southern hemispheres in preparation for the yearly migration of these influenzas.

This year, the vaccine in the United States provides protection against the three most concerning types of influenza: influenza A/H1N1 (Swine Flu), influenza A/H3N2 and influenza B.

The Government states that the best way to protect yourself and your family from these viruses is to get immunized against influenza, even though, again, it is based on last years virus. It is also very important to wash your hands frequently, shield your cough or sneeze with a tissue or your elbow, and if you are sick, stay home and remain at home until you have been without a fever for 24 hours.

Pharmacies and physicians have already started offering flu shots. The government makes this available to all employees and in fact in the military this is a mandatory shot. If you have concerns about whether you are eligible for the flu shot this year, due to age or existing physical conditions then please check with your physician.

The key is not to wait until the people around you are coming down with the flu. Get vaccinated early and stay healthy.

Now, having repeated the Party (Government ) Line in the above paragraphs, I have to admit that I do not get Flu shots anymore.  I have not had a flu shot since I was in a position where they were mandatory as a "condition of employment".  I have not been sick, at all, for almost six years, and during that time I have been exposed to sick people and other disease conditions.  My personal view is that an exceptional healthy individual is better off letting his own immune system deal with any virus.  However, everyone has to make their own decision. Good luck and hope you make the right decision for you and your family.