1. I foresee a possible global pandemic occurring as a result of influenza and Ebola viruses combining in the area of Africa where the current outbreak is located (Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone). Many people with Ebola is this area have gone undiagnosed until death, and even if they were diagnosed, there is no cure or vaccine for this virus. Ebola itself is not generally contagious through the air, but if it crossed with a bird, pig, or bat influenza virus it might become contagious. Once it got into the global air transport system, it could move in several directions at once. Quick diagnosis and quarantine would be imperative. Health workers would need protective gear including masks. Many developing countries do not have enough medical personnel, hospitals, or supplies; in the event of a pandemic, developed countries might be reluctant to share a limited supply. The WHO, as an international organization, should be prepared for this possibility by stockpiling biosafety equipment. Scientists at major disease research centers, such as the CDC, should have plans in place for reassignment of personnel and facilities in the event of a global pandemic. Each country should also have detailed emergency plans at each level of government. The military would need to be ready to establish martial law as needed, because if 50-90% of the population died (the typical death rate for Ebola), the rest would be desperate for food and other survival needs. Refugee camps would have to be set up along with central locations for food and water distribution.

2. If humans were facing mass extinction, what we could do about it would depend on the cause. If another star passed close enough to the sun, it might pull some of the sun’s material towards it, even enough to reach the orbit of Earth. In this case nothing could be done. If an asteroid or comet was headed for Earth, some people might survive either underground or on the highest mountains. If something occurred that caused all plants to die — nuclear fallout, multiple volcanic eruptions creating darkness that would inhibit photosynthesis, or the death of all the bees and other plant pollinators — we would not be able to survive unless we could somehow protect enough plants to provide some oxygen. Along with other methods of converting CO2 to O2, this might allow some of humanity to survive until the conditions that caused the plants to die could change or be changed. It is worthwhile for scientists and members of government to give some thought to these scenarios, although they are not likely to occur (less likely than a pandemic, unless there is a nuclear war). Some of the preparation for potential extinction occurrences would also be useful for lesser disasters.