the stages, from the great panic to mad max..

Fallschirmjager

okay courtesy of world War Z, brooks had the great title of an event called 'the great panic'.

what stages do you think will happen?

to start us off i think it would be something like this

early initial reports (ala flu),
initially it would be a web based rumour on some of the conspiracy sites. then as the undead gained hold in some of the poorer parts of the world the press would show some initial reports of 'cannabilism'. some news reporter on site goes missing with some out of focus shot of him been taken.

containment
something like pig/bird flu would be blamed and their would be talk of containment to maintain order. the press would talk of success, except under cover news reports of 'something else'. first grainy camera phone footage of someone attacked' is shown. it is then shown to be a 'fake'
at some point, there would be a big response. i think the main military powers would deliver firepower to local armies and advisors

sterilisation
i think the govts would use anything other then nukes to sterile what they think they have contained. so you would see weapons like fuel air bombs used extensively and then video of one 'accidently' dropped don a city surburb. i alternate here between this is very visual to calm the populace or hidden.

the first video
some undercover news crowd will do a huge expose that it is people eating people. first panic appears as people suspect they dont know the truth. panic food buying but this would not live up to the hype. there would be a zen like calm as the fear is not matched by the reality. nothing happens except a slow burn of incidents. this would last a few weeks as the news is saturated about jobs and growth and miracle cures etc. the military would become very visable for the first time on the streets


local reaction
i think the govts would try to hide local breakouts and then the initial discussion of ceasing air travel beyond infected areas. there is increasing incidents of 'food fights and shortages'


what do you think? feel free to modify or add more

BigDuffman

I always thought that for the sake of a good story the effectiveness of the military response is always underplayed in most books / films.

I think particularly in Ireland we would stand a good chance of containing any theoretical Z out break. Considering that being an Island with manageable geography, population size and density. Even world war Z gave us props if I recall!

phill106

BigDuffman wrote: »

I always thought that for the sake of a good story the effectiveness of the military response is always underplayed in most books / films.

I think particularly in Ireland we would stand a good chance of containing any theoretical Z out break. Considering that being an Island with manageable geography, population size and density. Even world war Z gave us props if I recall!

Indeed!

Great Britain and its government appear to have survived relatively intact. The British "supreme command" is relocated to Scotland after establishing a massive defensive line along the Antonine Wall. The British royal family dispersed to Ireland and the Isle of Man. South of Scotland, many castles were used by survivors as safe zones. Elizabeth II, at her own insistence, remained at Windsor Castle with a sizable community of survivors, serving as an example for morale purposes in an effort reminiscent of her parents' efforts during the Blitz in WWII. She also gave all her estates to anyone who could reach and fortify them. The base at Windsor began drilling an untapped oil well, which led to England being a major producer of oil after the war. Conwy, a coastal medieval walled town in Wales, served as a base from which British forces would launch the reclamation of Britain it also appeared to still have a sizable military. Unlike France, Britain took its time retaking London, taking about five years to clear the capital. Britain also developed the system of "fortified elevated highways" that became popular after the war. Ireland faired particularly well, serving as a safe haven to the British Royal Family, the Pope, and countless civilians, as well as an effective fallback and regroup point for British forces. From Ireland, The British were able to stem the assault and turn the tide against the undead.

Micky Dolenz

It depends how quickly it happens and what type of virus we are dealing with. How quickly our government recognizes the danger and shuts down our entry points is paramount.

One example that we can see that does bode well, would be the Foot and mouth epidemic, Ireland reacted quickly and definitely.

BigDuffman

Micky Dolenz wrote: »

One example that we can see that does bode well, would be the Foot and mouth epidemic, Ireland reacted quickly and definitely.

Considering the state of the place at the moment, I never thought I'd agree with that comment!

Fallschirmjager

hypothetical....could islands like ourselves and the UK expect a sea borne invasion of people looking to flee the plague? so would it be like the vietnamese boat people example except on a grand scale? if so how would we cope..

Mahatma coat

as has been discussed in this forum before the main Maritime threat would be Professional Navies, these guys will be the last effective military forces on the planet, if their homeland is infected and we're not expect to be Liberated.
however once they 'save' us thewy will protect our borders from others with ths same idea.