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Apr. 11th, 2009 07:48 pmWoody Harrelson knows what's going on.
ZOMBIE MYTHS DEBUNKED!
1. They are the "living dead," reanimated corpses.
FALSE. There exists no mechanism capable of reanimating a body that has died. Zombies are living humans infected with a virus that effectively removes their humanity, reducing them to nothing more than violent animals.
2. They are the result of "voodoo," "magic," or some other means.
FALSE. The infection is simply a disease, similar (and most likely - although this has, of course, not been confirmed by the CDC - related) to rabies. No supernatural elements are at play here.
3. They eat brains.
FALSE. They do not, in fact, eat anything, although they may be seen to chew and swallow matter that gets in their mouths as a reflex action. The infection overrides all natural biological urges with an imperative to ATTACK, to BITE, to SPREAD THE INFECTION. They literally could not care less about your brains as a specific target.
4. There is a cure.
FALSE. The only "cure" for the infection is to put them out of their misery - exactly like Old Yeller. Though they may wear the faces of your former friends and loved ones, THEY NO LONGER ARE. "The lights are on but nobody's home," as they used to say. No trace of the former personality remains; the body is nothing but an automaton with a biological imperative to bite and spread the disease. DO NOT ALLOW YOURSELF TO FALL PREY TO SENTIMENTALITY, OR YOU WILL FALL PREY TO THE INFECTION!
5. Only a headshot will kill a zombie.
FALSE. These are still human bodies! The infection removes the ability to feel pain (along with the ability to feel anything else), so simply wounding the victim will not result in the same debilitation as a similar wound may to a healthy human, but sufficient damage of any type WILL cause death - even if not to the head!
WHAT TO DO IN EVENT OF AN OUTBREAK
1. PROTECT YOUR HEALTH. Although the virus does not appear to be airborne, it is spread through bodily fluids - a bite being most common, but getting their blood into your mouth, eyes or soft tissue can also spread the infection; it is to be assumed that other bodily fluids (mucus, etc.) could also carry the virus. Wearing a face mask to cover your nose and mouth and goggles to cover your eyes may prove prudent in the event of a major outbreak. Keeping any open wounds or sores on your body dressed and covered is a necessity. Wear thick (but tight-fitting, to avoid getting tangled or providing grappling points) clothing to help defend against bites or scratches - denim or leather is ideal. Body armor is heavy bulky and will be more of a liability than an asset in survival situations where mobility is key.
2. PROTECT YOURSELF. The best way to keep a zombie from biting you is to keep a zombie from coming within biting range! If the outbreak has reached epidemic proportions, roads out of town will be overrun with traffic - bumper-to-bumper, dangerous in and of itself, and made even more dangerous by the infected trying to fight their way between and amongst the backed-up cars. If this is the case, DO NOT ADD TO THE PROBLEM. The safest place for you may well be your own home. BEFORE THE OUTBREAK, you should equip your house with enough nonperishable food items to last several weeks - a wise move in case of many other types of natural disasters as well as possible zombie outbreaks. DURING THE OUTBREAK, you can then "hole up" in a barricaded section of your house until the outbreak is under control. Remember to fill as many containers as possible with drinkable water while you can; the human body dehydrates much faster than it starves. If firearms are legal and available in your area, and you are trained in their use, then by all means keep one - and suitable ammunition - with you in your barricade. DO NOT think that having a gun makes you a "zombie hunter"! It is MUCH SAFER to remain indoors and let THEM come to YOU, where you know your own turf and can choose your battles!
3. PROTECT YOUR SANITY. Keep forms of entertainment of your choice (books, handheld video games or music players - WITH HEADPHONES - etc.) either laid up with your emergency food stockpile or in an easily-accessible area so that you can take them with you when you "hole up." Bring earplugs, as well - the noises made by the infected can be a remarkable psychological weapon, and you'll want to be able to shut them out so you can sleep. And remember that IT WILL NOT LAST FOREVER. While the exact duration of the infection will depend upon how many people get infected ove what length of time, the infected bodies ARE STILL HUMAN and will themselves dehydrate and fall down dead on their own if you can hold out long enough. Above all, and most importantly, listen to the Hitchhikers' Guide: DON'T PANIC.
ZOMBIE MYTHS DEBUNKED!
1. They are the "living dead," reanimated corpses.
FALSE. There exists no mechanism capable of reanimating a body that has died. Zombies are living humans infected with a virus that effectively removes their humanity, reducing them to nothing more than violent animals.
2. They are the result of "voodoo," "magic," or some other means.
FALSE. The infection is simply a disease, similar (and most likely - although this has, of course, not been confirmed by the CDC - related) to rabies. No supernatural elements are at play here.
3. They eat brains.
FALSE. They do not, in fact, eat anything, although they may be seen to chew and swallow matter that gets in their mouths as a reflex action. The infection overrides all natural biological urges with an imperative to ATTACK, to BITE, to SPREAD THE INFECTION. They literally could not care less about your brains as a specific target.
4. There is a cure.
FALSE. The only "cure" for the infection is to put them out of their misery - exactly like Old Yeller. Though they may wear the faces of your former friends and loved ones, THEY NO LONGER ARE. "The lights are on but nobody's home," as they used to say. No trace of the former personality remains; the body is nothing but an automaton with a biological imperative to bite and spread the disease. DO NOT ALLOW YOURSELF TO FALL PREY TO SENTIMENTALITY, OR YOU WILL FALL PREY TO THE INFECTION!
5. Only a headshot will kill a zombie.
FALSE. These are still human bodies! The infection removes the ability to feel pain (along with the ability to feel anything else), so simply wounding the victim will not result in the same debilitation as a similar wound may to a healthy human, but sufficient damage of any type WILL cause death - even if not to the head!
WHAT TO DO IN EVENT OF AN OUTBREAK
1. PROTECT YOUR HEALTH. Although the virus does not appear to be airborne, it is spread through bodily fluids - a bite being most common, but getting their blood into your mouth, eyes or soft tissue can also spread the infection; it is to be assumed that other bodily fluids (mucus, etc.) could also carry the virus. Wearing a face mask to cover your nose and mouth and goggles to cover your eyes may prove prudent in the event of a major outbreak. Keeping any open wounds or sores on your body dressed and covered is a necessity. Wear thick (but tight-fitting, to avoid getting tangled or providing grappling points) clothing to help defend against bites or scratches - denim or leather is ideal. Body armor is heavy bulky and will be more of a liability than an asset in survival situations where mobility is key.
2. PROTECT YOURSELF. The best way to keep a zombie from biting you is to keep a zombie from coming within biting range! If the outbreak has reached epidemic proportions, roads out of town will be overrun with traffic - bumper-to-bumper, dangerous in and of itself, and made even more dangerous by the infected trying to fight their way between and amongst the backed-up cars. If this is the case, DO NOT ADD TO THE PROBLEM. The safest place for you may well be your own home. BEFORE THE OUTBREAK, you should equip your house with enough nonperishable food items to last several weeks - a wise move in case of many other types of natural disasters as well as possible zombie outbreaks. DURING THE OUTBREAK, you can then "hole up" in a barricaded section of your house until the outbreak is under control. Remember to fill as many containers as possible with drinkable water while you can; the human body dehydrates much faster than it starves. If firearms are legal and available in your area, and you are trained in their use, then by all means keep one - and suitable ammunition - with you in your barricade. DO NOT think that having a gun makes you a "zombie hunter"! It is MUCH SAFER to remain indoors and let THEM come to YOU, where you know your own turf and can choose your battles!
3. PROTECT YOUR SANITY. Keep forms of entertainment of your choice (books, handheld video games or music players - WITH HEADPHONES - etc.) either laid up with your emergency food stockpile or in an easily-accessible area so that you can take them with you when you "hole up." Bring earplugs, as well - the noises made by the infected can be a remarkable psychological weapon, and you'll want to be able to shut them out so you can sleep. And remember that IT WILL NOT LAST FOREVER. While the exact duration of the infection will depend upon how many people get infected ove what length of time, the infected bodies ARE STILL HUMAN and will themselves dehydrate and fall down dead on their own if you can hold out long enough. Above all, and most importantly, listen to the Hitchhikers' Guide: DON'T PANIC.
