Nancy Gregg’s Y2K Series
As presented in the
Siskiyou Daily News
ŠN. E. Gregg 1999
Preparation for Y2K bug: Medicine – supply and demand
In this world of advanced technology we have become a society using preventive medication. This preventive medication gives a better quality of life to those suffering from disabilities and prolongs life for others.
I have talked about the one world order. In that same reference are you aware that ALL insulin is manufactured by ONE Company in Norway? I have also referred to JIT ordering (just in time). Most pharmacies use JIT procuring procedures. Ever need to refill a prescription and have them say, "We can have that here in a couple of days." Have you ever thought of how many pharmacies we have just in Yreka, never mind the county? They are all going right out straight and they usually have us standing in line to pick up our medication.
With a rural and retired population, a greater number of us need support medication. That is different than curing medication. Support medication helps us live with problems and still have a quality life.
We really need the pharmacies to divide their prescriptions into these two categories. Of course, that takes time and time means money. If you are on support medication make sure you keep that medication filled. Don’t let your prescriptions run low. Take the next few months to acquaint yourself with alternative medications that may be able to assist your well being if your regular mediations are in short supply.
The local hospitals should take stock of what medications would fall into this category and prudently get in an additional supply. Of course the hospital board of directors may not really be convinced that any of these disruptions are going to happen. That could be a waste of money. Let’s look at it as being an investment. The worst thing that could happen is that these purchases would not be necessary for a few months while using up the supply.
Doctors need to take an inventory. If the electricity does go out they need to know where they might bring refrigerated medication for storing to preserve its integrity. I know, we’ll wait and see if that is necessary. This wait and see attitude means confusion at the least and panic at the worst.
In all the reports on Y2K the most repeated warning is that we should all have a hard copy of our medical records. Have you ever tried to get a complete copy of your file? You would think it was for their information only!
Preventive medicine is a good practice. There are teas for the treatment of cancer. This, properly sealed will keep indefinitely. Herbs of all kinds have been used to prevent and cure the illnesses of man.
You need to get in supplies of over the counter medication that are used on a regular basis. Some suggestions are: night time decongestants, aspirin, antacids, peroxide, rubbing alcohol, toothpaste, mouthwash, bandages, sterile cotton, good first aid tape and feminine products – the list is endless. You may want to get in a supply of condoms in case you run out of birth control pills. Oooops can put a great strain on a family!
If you are keeping a supply of refrigerated mediation at home, make plans for alternate methods to keep them cool. You can lower them in a sealed container into a well or dig a very deep hole into a stream bed. The water in the bottom of the hole will be cooler than the surface water.
For those of us who need eye glasses, get an extra pair from the stand at the local drug store. Pick up a couple of greater magnifying power. These will be better than no glasses at all.
When I moved here in 1975 my pharmacist in Los Angeles told me, "Remember, the medicine you use on your animals can be used on people. You have to remember some animal medication is not as refined as it is for people which can cause a reaction."
If you give yourself shots you might want to learn how to take the needle off and sterilize it and reuse it again. Remember the problem with JIT ordering is that it is dependent on three things: electricity to run the computer, the computer to put the order through and the truck to transport the goods to us. (It takes two of the three industries that have not been made Y2K compliant, electric and petroleum.)
This article is the most difficult one for me to write. It is in this field that I have run into professionals that have belittled and scoffed that anything of any consequence could possibly happen. I hope with all my heart they are right. However, scoffing at these possibilities does not give the patient and their family peace of mind. Isn’t that what the medical profession is suppose to be about – the well being of the patient and the family, both physical and psychologically? If you are a professional care provider it would be good training to look at these issues from the possibilities rather than denial! Empathy for others is a large dose of good medicine!
Doctors have worked long and hard to acquire their expertise. It is beyond their ability to cope to see a world even for a short period of time which disrupts life as we know it. In writing these articles I have had to use a lot of empathy, patience and kindness towards those who reject my views. Yes, I am presenting the extremes. Any conditions short of these will be equally disruptive in our lives. I don’t even expect to find 1% that may agree with me. My real goal is to get YOU thinking, folks! Look at the information presented. Look at the Big Picture. Do you really trust the information that comes out of Washington, D.C.? After the Coho Salmon proposed regulation of 1998 and then the BLM/Lemos land grab, there isn’t much that I trust. I filed delistings for five endangered species in 1998. Sent them registered mail and never got a reply from anyone. The information must have gotten to someone, as they are going to request of Congress permission to control, by killing, the California Seals and the Pacific Harbor Seals. (Egos would suffer if they admitted that delisting was the answer.)
What has this to do with Y2K and medicine? Everything. All the information is very limited about Y2K from Washington. Mostly it is a thorn to be removed. Social Security is ready, is it? As you listen to the news over the next couple of months pick up on the short segments saying, "Venezuela to stop oil exports to the U.S. on June 1" and "Nuclear power plants to shut down starting July 1, as mandated by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission." Then come back and tell me this can’t happen in the United States of America.
In the meantime, food, heat, cooking and medicine are your responsibility! This puts your family needs in proper perspective. This is your responsibility, no one else’s.
"But, I live in an apartment I can’t do any of that." Not so. Next week we will look at the responsibility of renters. A free society means self responsibility.
God bless those who care for others and God, bless OUR America.
Nancy Gregg’s book, The Rebirth of OUR Republic by sending $16.00 which includes mailing and handling to The Grassroots Press, P. O. Box 516, Yreka, Ca. 96097
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