What in the world…?

What is really happening around the earth? Violent protests, burned buildings, closed tv stations, looting and death in Madagascar. The fall of the Icelandic government, with accompanying riots. Cholera claiming over 3000 lives in Zimbabwe, with over 50000 infections. Close to 250,000 Tamil civilians trapped in 250 sq km area in Sri Lanka. Violent protests in France.

We live in interesting times.


THE 5th SUMMIT OF THE AMERICAS
The 5th Summit of the Americas being hosted in T&T from April 17 to 19 will involve controversy. Ambassador Carlos Luis Alberto Rodriguez, head of the national secretariat in charge of preparations for the summit stated, “…additional police officers from Caricom countries could be posted in T&T for the summit.” What exactly does that mean? Posted where? In hotels where the visiting dignitaries are staying? At the summit sites? On our streets? Will they be armed? If a foreign police officer shoots a Trinidadian citizen on Trinidadian soil, what are the legal ramifications? Will local law enforcement officers arrest their foreign counterparts? Can that aggrieved citizen sue the foreigner? What are the details of the arrangement? If law enforcement officers of other nations are to be posted here, in a sovereign nation, then what are the ramifications of this? Will this set a precedent? Will a negative incident set back CARICOM and CSME progress? Have the organizers thought this through properly?

Federation of Independent Trade Unions and NGOs (Fitun) president, David Abdulah, has already given notice that his organisation planned to protest during the summit. Because of cultural differences, Trini protesters may be viewed as being ‘out of order’, ‘disturbing the peace’ (drumming, playing steel pan, singing, dancing) or even aggressive (shouting, hurling insults). A foreign law enforcement officer posted here, may misinterpret the body language of a protester and react according to training. This training may very well be anti-terrorist in nature. Overreaction can result in serious injuries, or even fatalities.

PEANUTS RECALL
Story in todays Express:

Trinidad has been named as one of four countries to which a United States-based company shipped peanuts, possibly tainted with a bacteria that has sickened and killed people.

The Peanut Corporation of America (PCA), on Wednesday, issued an alert to recall all its products shipped since January 2007.

According to the statement, the peanuts were "distributed nationwide to institutions, food service industries, and private-label food companies, as well as in Canada, Haiti, Korea and Trinidad".

Officials at the Consumer Affairs Division of the Legal Affairs Ministry appeared unaware of the recall last evening.

Now this story sent me into my preps, but could find no brand associated with the PCA. Of the two brands stockpiled, one was on the ‘safe’ list, and the other is locally produced. Peanut butter is a good, dense, high-energy food, suitable for a ‘bug out’ situation.

- Trini Funshooter

Cholera

After reading about the cholera outbreak in Zimbabwe, one must wonder about the potential risk of such an occurrence in T&T. It is low, but still possible. Prudence dictates that we prepare.

Between August and 30 November 2008 the World Health Organisation has reported over 11,700 cases with 473 recorded deaths. A case fatality rate (CFR) of 4%. The WHO has set a target of under 1% CFR.

Treatment is usually oral re-hydration therapy along with an antibiotic. Tetracycline is most commonly used as the primary antibiotic. There are drug-resistant strains, but rapid diagnostic assay methods are available for the identification of multi-drug resistant Vibrio cholerae.
If treated in time, the mortality rate is less than 1%, but left untreated, it escalates dramatically to 50-60%. The life cycle of the bacterium is five days.

One should err on the side of caution and consider–– if not cholera, at least some other nasty motile organisms––in one’s preparedness plans. Safe, clean, drinkable water is vital for life. Stockpiling more water purification equipment and materials would be advisable.
Household bleach, water purification tablets, boiling, water filters etc are all very effective in making water safe for drinking. Bleach has a short shelf life, so rotate emergency stocks frequently.

Store more than you need, so you can dispense charity.

- Trini Funshooter