I was listening to Art Bell last night and he had a

guest on that was talking about the Bird Flu crossing

species. The Flu gives you the following symptoms

High fever, chills and sweating

Sore throat

Weakness

Headache and generalized muscle and joint pains

(legs and back)

A nonproductive cough that can later become more

severe and productive.

Well that is what the bird flu does. Art asked his guest what differentiates the 2.

His guest said that if you have the urge to poop on

the windshield of your car then he thinks you just

may have it.

David you've got get some sleep man!!! On serious side you guys think this thing could take off? You see the talking pinheads on TV trying to scare the crap out of everyone with this thing

So far there's been no transmission of H5N1 from human to human and some humans have been found to be infected with H5N1 and show no symptoms. Right now we appear to be in the Chicken Little phase of a possible bird flu pandemic.

Here are the typical phases of scientific issues:

1. Scientist discovers something.

2. Scientist's discovery is written up and peer reviewed.

3. Discovery is published in scientific journal.

4. "Science" reporter reads article, takes the worst case aspects of the article and writes a "story."

5. "Story" is published in the general interst media..

6. High profile reporter read the story and interviews high profile scientists (who have probably not have read the original article).

7. High profile reporter cherry picks interview Q&A, exaggerates the worst case scenario, and puts out a top media story.

8. Chicken Little feeding frenzy begins with all the high profile reporters competing to put out the most sensational, scary story.

9. The public panics and Politicians are caught unaware and freak out.

10. Politcians and the public demand immediate answers and want to place blame.

11. Scientists have to spend valuable time answering useless blaming questions from Senate committees. The current President (regardless of political affilication) is blamed by the other party as either A) the cause, ignorant of the gravity of the problem, or C) involved in a conspiracy to cover up the problem.

12. A new discovery appears with the cycle beginning again at step 2.

13. Scientists can get back to actually analysing and discussing the original discovery in a thoughtful matter.

14. A solution is found and published.

15. No one notices.