I want your opinion, whoever you are! And give the reasons why you think what you think   :)
203278
Tough Question - My glib answer is that it won't happen because I am taking precautions for an outbreak. Evey time I take precautions for a disaster nothing happens;) \n\nWhy I am worried is because one case of human to human transmission has happened in Thailand. Also the flu has a week incubation period and during that time it can be spread.   \n\nSpanish flu killed between 50 & 100 million in 1918 and started off as an avian virus. Experts say that the Spanish flu virus had 12 mutations which made it adapt from just infecting birds to infecting pigs and humans.  The mass fowl cullings around the world seem to be preventing any adapted viruses from starting a human pandemic. However the virus has reached countries that don't have the infrastructure, because of bad government, war and poverty, to identify and contain H5N1 in birds. This means that if the adaption happens it could get a foothold in the human population and then start spreading. \n\nThe next point is what do you mean by "really become  contagious?" \n\nMost of the models of the spread of a pandemic are based on past infections. Most predictions are scientifically valid but they depend on a number of factors that can not be controlled. If avian flu mutates to human to human it may become less lethal and it may not be as contagious as it is now. The only way that the statistics will be proved depends on what the H5N1 virus does next.\n\nThe range of the numbers show just how difficult it is to get a clear idea of what may happen. Here are some numbers I crunched based on assumptions and a worldwide population of 6 billion. Note fatalities are based on no medical treatment. \n\n1.) Bird flu stays in birds and can only be transmitted through eating uncooked chicken, exposure to dead birds and drinking or eating things that have been infected.\n% of world population that gets sick 0.000040%\nNo. Sick 2,400\n% fatalities 63.64%\nNo. fatalities 1,527\n\n2.) Bird flu mutates and is really weakened in the mutation \n% of world population that gets sick 25%\nNo. Sick 1,500,000,000\n% fatalities 0.50% (half a percent)\nNo. fatalities 7,500,000\n\n3.) Bird flu mutates and is as virulent as the spanish flu of 1918 (WHO figures) \n% of world population that gets sick 50%\nNo. Sick 3,000,000,000\n% fatalities 5%\nNo. fatalities 150,000,000\n\nThese models become scarier and scarier the worse the plagues and disasters used as a base. All they really say is that if there is a pandemic people, without medical help, will die. They don't say that it will happen. (If you want to really scare yourself or someone else do the maths on bubonic plague 80% infected and 80% fatalities).  \n\nSo overall I'll say there is a chance of this avian fly being the next pandemic. The chance is not so terrifyingly likely that I am going to sell up and move to a defendable mountaintop and start shooting at strangers. However the chance is big enough that I have spent about $100 dollars on Tamiflu and food - just in case. \n\nThe only people who have told me with a 100% certainty that the pandemic is going to happen and everyone will die are people who are trying to sell me stuff to survive the coming pandemic. I think they are pretty biased.
429692
Hmmm....I like the way you think ;)
579904
Hmmmm, interesting.\n\nI think you are entitled to their opinion and they are entitled to their opinion, in their opinion. :)
102681
huh? why are you asking? You seem to have pretty good idea already...but don't spend too much time worrying about what other people think. Do what is right for you.
582442
ure a thinker on Y!A??\n\ngood luck
598469
i like to answer more then ask because im a very opinionized person. i think you're right though. the question you asked was the best one i've seen in a looong time. ha ha
175956
How is this MainWorry character. Whats wrong with you man? Don't you think for yourself? F*cken tosser...\n\nsharon: That's what they all say, lol!
203764
I too need to think about it buddy, thx for opening my eyezzz
260270
Here are some opinions on food and diet:\n\nhttp://uk.blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-iQ_TenI9dLT74fuxz0hwQxOHovpKsgI-?cq=1\n\nAll feedback appreciated.
100084
Its interesting to see what other people think,probally the same reason y you are on here asking them
187268
Personally, I would like to look at YOU!!!
336935
NO!! and I like your statements. The trouble is, you have to\nwatch what you say on Yahoo questions & Answers. You might\nOFFEND someone.
596998
That is an awesome point and I never really thought about it like that till you said this.  Thank you for sharing your point of view.  It was scintillating.  I'm not trying to be smart, I'm very serious.  Thank you!
25158
What do you want to do? Because they want you to****. is not a good enough reason. What do you think? Do you think it's a good idea? Make your own decision and stay with it. Don't let anyone else tell you what to do or make you do something you feel is questionable.
490815
We have the right to think whatever we want to think.  So therefore we have the right to pass judgement in our minds on anyone.  But I do NOT believe we have the right to outwardly judge any human being under any circumstances - I believe that is the sole right of our creator whoever or whatever that may be.  By speaking our judgement we use the power of our words and that action is wrong, in my opinion.  I am not going to say that I live up to that ideal 100% of the time but it's what I believe and I do try very hard to in my life.  Words are powerful and should be used with that in mind.
536234
I did! I like to voice my opinions! Why do you think that we are all here on Answers??? Same principle... lol
533685
Personal opinion I suppose. : )