Some of us, maybe even the majority grew up being taught to be skeptical of everything. You know, "trust no one" and so on. So my thoughts today may seem a little dire. You can roll your eyes and even make cracks at me in your comments. I welcome any kind of feedback because I am just that desperate to be heard. Or read, rather. I don't really want to be heard because that would involve talking and I'm not so in to that. Ask MacGyver. Drives him crazy.
So, I've been thinking with the predictions in the news lately that we should be planning ahead. Up till about 90 years or so ago, we had no strong antidote for disease and infection. Then someone discovered antibiotics. Well, since then we've kind of figured we are set. No silly little germ is going to get us down. We have been safe for so long that we haven't even entertained the thought that someday the germs might overcome our defenses.
Well, I think it's happening. Unless the stories in the news are pure fiction, we might be seeing the beginning of a return to life without antibiotics.
So what does this mean? Will the devastation of the early 20th century repeat itself? Who knows. Anything is possible in a degrading and imperfect world. I am hopeful that Jesus will return before this, but that's a rather selfish thought in light of what he's waiting for.
So anyway, what to do? I've been thinking about this. At least we know that handwashing, wearing masks and gloves can slow the spread of disease. We know that staying out of public places as much as possible will offer some protection. We know that rest, good nutrition, and isolation of sick people will help. I suppose if it came to be that a disease was starting to run rampant, it would be smart to stock up and stay in. Of course, that's what everyone does when crisis comes. So why not start to stock up now, before everyone else is doing the same thing? Why not keep a supply of food and drink in the basement, using it as we go and restocking it to keep it fresh?
That's part of the reason I've gone to a 1-3 month space between the bulk of my groceries. The biggest reason is just having time to homeschool instead of taking 4 children shopping every week.
And that's another thing I'm kinda glad I'm doing now instead of later. Homeschooling. That's a topic for another day, because I know we have all sorts of opinions and preconceived notions about it. So did I. Until I did it. But anyway, at least we are all set if the next plague hits.
Okay, your turn. Go ahead and scoff and scorn and rebuke me. I can take it. I'm the one that started it!
Have a great and germ-free day!
"The oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear, and the oldest and strongest kind of fear is fear of the unknown." H.P. Lovecraft
ReplyDeleteReligions and media organizations capitalize on this concept and fear-monger the uninformed. A world without antibiotics is only conceivable if one has only a rudimentary understanding of evolution. Nobody in the medical or biological sciences figures "we are set" - fortunately these people are working, with the predictable laws of evolution, to allow us to stay ahead of the curve in this evolutionary arms race, while the uniformed reap its benefits. Lick the bottom of a show today, you'll feel better. It sounds like you have too much to do with grocery shopping and home schooling your children to have to inappropriate worry about coming plagues. But as it appears you did not arrive at your opinion via reason, reason will likely be unable to help you change it.
P.S. Everyone in the totality of existence who thought Jesus was returning in their lifetime has been wrong. What gives you the special feeling that your special feeling is more special-er than all the perceived Holy-Spirit-given special feelings of the past?
Which show should we lick the bottom of? I recommend Buffy. That show is tasty. Miranda, you've been neglecting Buffy, I can tell. Otherwise you would know it's not a world without antibiotics we need to fear, but rather a world without a slayer.
ReplyDeleteNow, I wonder if perhaps this article incited you to write this post:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2010/aug/12/the-end-of-antibiotics-health-infections
Kyle posted this today and asked me what I thought about it. I don't know yet because I just read it. To summarize, it suggests something similar to what you're suggesting, except without the whole stocking up on groceries part. It's based on a paper that came out in The Lancet this week about the spread of multidrug resistant bacteria in India, among other articles and interviews. (http://www.thelancet.com/journals/laninf/onlinefirst)
I don't think I'm ready to stock my basement in preparation for the coming plague, but I do try to be responsible in the prescribing of antibiotics- I don't prescribe them without seeing a patient, and even then I'm pretty stingy- I know the most frustrating words to hear when you or your kiddo is sick are "It's a virus," but that Z-pack most people come in expecting for their runny nose is likely to do about as much good as a tic tac in combating the symptoms (as well as their underlying cause), and NOW SEE WHAT WE'VE DONE? ;)
Also, explain:
ReplyDelete"I am hopeful that Jesus will return before this, but that's a rather selfish thought in light of what he's waiting for."
My dear G, "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9
ReplyDeleteI know. We've done it to ourselves. But somehow civilization survived for thousands of years before we had them, I'm sure somehow we would without them again.
And I wouldn't call it fear. Just a need to protect my children.
Anon, as for Jesus' return, call it a educated guess. If I'm wrong I won't be the first.
Oops, sorry to make you bring the Bible smackdown. And I just finished the Beth Moore Revelation study. Silly me.
ReplyDeleteSo are you really stocking up for the microbial apocalypse?
Not a smackdown. Just the answer to your question. :)
ReplyDeleteNo, I'm stocking up to avoid going to the grocery store with all these kids so often. But it can't hurt, I suppose.
This post is really just a way to turn a news story into an interesting discussion. Sometimes it gets hard to think up new material every day.
Was it from the news story Kyle posted?
ReplyDeleteI know you weren't bringing the smackdown- I was just ashamed I forgot about that.
I'm not sure if it was the same one. I don't think so, I saw one on yahoo today. I did see that he posted a similiar one on fb.
ReplyDeleteI would agree with you Mandy! It never hurts to be prepared, as long as it's done in a reasonable manner. I think that keeping some extra non-perishable groceries around is a good idea no matter what the reason. And, as for the drug-resistant bacteria overtaking our defenses, I believe it is certainly possible. Too many are too quick to ask for antibiotics and althought I know that many doctors say no, there are just as many who say yes b/c they are tired of being badgered. All of it together has left us in danger of being susceptible to new "super bugs." Anyway, that's my two-cents about your two-cents.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the two cents, they are welcome! :)
ReplyDelete