Imagine 9, Pandemic without the Panic

Its 2011. Our worst fears have been realized, the H1N1 and H5N1 flus have mutated and combined, creating the deadliest outbreak in 100 years. Our global transportation grid has worsened the situation, causing it to spread like wildfire before anyone can stem the tide of infections.

Here in Southern California, a small group of citizens has taken action to mitigate this disaster. Knowing that the biggest danger to those infected is dehydration and inability to take in nutrients, we've partnered with a local bottling plant to get hundreds of thousands of bottles of electrolyte enhanced water delivered to areas where outbreaks occur.

When news breaks of a neighborhood in the grips of the epidemic, a truck of emergency hydration salts and water is deployed to key points such as schools and hospitals to make sure that people waiting in over-crowded nurses offices and emergency rooms don't die of malnutrion or dehydration while waiting for the professionals to see them. Using cell phones and social networking sites such as facebook, twitter, and Ushahidi, the word gets out, and so do the supplies.

It may not stop the spread or prevent the outbreak, but it's saving lives.