Bird Flu

A few years ago when the threat of SARS receded, I remember musing on what the next big health scare would be. Now our country is gripped by the fear that avian flu might mutate and be passed on to humans causing a world wide pandemic, killing countless millions. Is this just another hyped possibility, or a very real threat? It is very hard to assess. Information as to how one is supposed to contract the disease from the birds is not easily available. Should I suspend feeding our feathered friends who delight us on our bird table? Should I wear protective clothing when cleaning out our cockatiel? Would it be wise to give up eating poultry products for the duration? I wonder if the Government is any more enlightened that I am, I suspect not! They do seem to be running around like headless chickens talking up the threat one day, talking it down, the next!

With the prospect of yet another potential disaster to chalk up this year, the ‘End Timers’ are rubbing their hands in glee. Surely it must mean that they are about to be ‘Raptured’? They conveniently forget all the other disasters over the last 2000 years that have led some people to confidently predict that they are about to get lucky and witness ‘The Second Coming’. The Bible is not specific about when this event will occur, so it might be sensible, if instead of scanning the horizon, we are more usefully employed making the lot of our fellows on earth a bit better, whilst we wait!