Joined: May 10, 2007 Posts: 1612 Location: Self-Exile to the "Planning for the Future" forum
Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 9:53 pm Post subject: Re: Cyclone Nargis hit Myanmar - thousands dead
Jack wrote:
wisconsin_cur wrote:
Wouldn't we expect a dip in the birth rate 7-9 months from now? Women not getting enough food or clean water loosing the pregnancies? Not as much baby making going on as people focus on more immediate needs of food and water?
Entirely possible. On the other hand, the lack of alternative entertainment and the urge to attempt procreation might offset the issues you mention.
Notice the video scenes of Darfur - poor nutrition, disease, and lots of babies.
I suppose you're right... we just don't know. Looks like there are 4.6 children per woman in Sudan today (I can't find any stats just for Darfur).
Of course if the world stopped trying to support them with relief food and shelter because we were too busy with our own problems then we might see a sharp decline? _________________ I can tell your fancy I can tell your plain
You give something up for ev'rything you gain
Since ev'ry pleasure's got an edge of pain
Pay for your ticket and don't complain.
-Bobby D.
Joined: Jun 13, 2007 Posts: 2104 Location: Minniesotuh
Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 7:10 am Post subject: Re: Cyclone Nargis hit Myanmar - thousands dead
HeadlineNews is reporting (7:01 am CT) that the UN has suspended food aid to Myanmar. Apparently, the military has confiscated the first two food flights (no link yet).
It certainly sounds like someone is pushing for a dieoff, doesn't it?
Also:
Myanmar blocks foreign aid workers
YANGON, Myanmar (CNN) -- Pressure was mounting on cyclone-devastated Myanmar Friday to allow access to an army of foreign relief workers as the country's isolationist military regime rejected expert help in delivering aid to victims at risk of disease and starvation. …
Myanmar _________________ "RRrrruuuunnnn!!!" ~Apocalypto
Last edited by Ferretlover on Fri May 09, 2008 7:31 am; edited 1 time in total
Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 1:09 pm Post subject: Re: Cyclone Nargis hit Myanmar - thousands dead
wisconsin_cur wrote:
Of course if the world stopped trying to support them with relief food and shelter because we were too busy with our own problems then we might see a sharp decline?
Maybe. I think it's going to take a very serious change in food availability - or other parameters - before that happens.
I guess we'll find out.
_________________ Dieoff - fun to watch, better with hot buttered popcorn.
Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 1:09 pm Post subject: Re: Cyclone Nargis hit Myanmar - thousands dead
wisconsin_cur wrote:
Of course if the world stopped trying to support them with relief food and shelter because we were too busy with our own problems then we might see a sharp decline?
Maybe. I think it's going to take a very serious change in food availability - or other parameters - before that happens.
I guess we'll find out.
_________________ Dieoff - fun to watch, better with hot buttered popcorn.
A generation of children could be wiped out if help does not quickly get through to the cyclone-stricken villages of Burma, according to international officials frustrated by the military junta’s obstruction of western aid workers.
Charities warned that epidemics of “apocalyptic proportions” could be caused by delays in securing supplies of fresh water and medicines.
Latest estimates suggest that up to 116,000 people died when a tidal surge swept across the Irrawaddy delta from ocean water whipped up by Cyclone Nargis.
Of 1.7m who have been left homeless or are in distress, many hundreds of thousands are children who are most vulnerable to waterborne diseases. Reports of dysentery have already surfaced and there are fears of a measles epidemic.
This is, as Jack has pointed out, rather small on the grand scheme of things. For those of you looking forward t to the die off, is it as this small appetizer as great as you thought it would be?
Quote:
“We are very worried about a ‘second disaster’,” said Greg Beck of the International Rescue Committee. “We’ve had some early indications that cholera is breaking out . . . also dengue fever and malaria. These are treatable and we could contain them very easily if we were able to get access.”
_________________ I can tell your fancy I can tell your plain
You give something up for ev'rything you gain
Since ev'ry pleasure's got an edge of pain
Pay for your ticket and don't complain.
-Bobby D.
Joined: Jun 13, 2007 Posts: 2104 Location: Minniesotuh
Posted: Sun May 11, 2008 11:41 am Post subject: Re: Cyclone Nargis hit Myanmar - thousands dead
Boat carrying aid for Myanmar victims sinks
Disease threatens up to 1.5 million, international agency Oxfam says
May. 11, 2008
AP--BANGKOK, Thailand - A cargo ship carrying relief supplies for more than 1,000 cyclone victims in Myanmar sank, a International Red Cross spokesman said on Sunday, further complicating attempts to help hundreds of thousands of desperate survivors of Cyclone Nargis.
The accident was a big blow to the already slow relief work, IFRC spokesman Michael Annear said.
The organization said the boat was traveling from Yangon to Mawlamyinegyun when it hit a submerged tree trunk and sank early on Sunday. …
Murphy's Law _________________ "RRrrruuuunnnn!!!" ~Apocalypto
Posted: Sun May 11, 2008 12:19 pm Post subject: Re: Cyclone Nargis hit Myanmar - thousands dead
wisconsin_cur wrote:
This is, as Jack has pointed out, rather small on the grand scheme of things. For those of you looking forward t to the die off, is it as this small appetizer as great as you thought it would be?
Interesting point. If the numbers are to be believed, then 4 months growth has been neutralized. If we indulge in giddy optimism regarding the so-called lost generation, then perhaps the numbers will triple, resulting in neutral population growth for 1 year.
It's interesting that the events are publicized somewhat - but not well - due to the logistics of getting media personnel into the area. It's interesting that infrastructure breakdown exacerbates other problems. And, a further factor is that disease follows destruction of infrastructure and famine.
It may well be that Burma is a paradigm for the die-off.
As to the question posed by Wisconsin - yes, it is rather tasty. It has an earthy essence, with a hint of tears. Strong emotional loading for the participants, along with a nuance of loss among those who care. The textures of striving and futility balance nicely. And the presentation, while understated, is suitably artistic. Perhaps we should name our little dish Triumph de Malthus.
Yes, this is a pleasant little Hors d'oeuvre. It prepares the emotional pallet for heartier fare to come; it does not spoil the appetite, but rather, stimulates it.
Bring it on.
_________________ Dieoff - fun to watch, better with hot buttered popcorn.
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