BagOfCrisps 24 Posted March 14, 2005 Share Posted March 14, 2005 Hows the situation in Japan? Is it seen as a bit threat and real scary. Scary-things being said here in the UK Link to post Share on other sites
Markie 0 Posted March 14, 2005 Share Posted March 14, 2005 I believe that the bird flu threat is very big and very real. In fact, I am already taking precautions to protect both my health and my wealth should it strike....and it could strike at any time. A friend of my is a doctor, a Chest specialist, and a member of a team set up by the Hong Kong government to head of attacks of such contagious diseases. He was one of those in the frontlines of the battle against SARS and the team was set up after the SARS epidemic. He approached me recently to ask me to help him plan how to protect his financial assets in case of such an outbreak. After my little "advisory session" he said he felt quite confident that what I suggested would probably give his assets good protection, BUT, he added, "I hope I will survive to be able to enjoy it." and he was quite serious! Link to post Share on other sites
unit 0 Posted March 14, 2005 Share Posted March 14, 2005 Just out of curiousity, why do your financial assets need to be protected from a disease outbreak? And how do you go about protecting your assets from something like that exactly? Link to post Share on other sites
Markie 0 Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 Hi unit. In the last epidemic outbreak, i.e. SARS, the property and stock markets in the region in general, and Hong Kong in particular, took a major dive. At its lowest level during that time, the HK index stood below 9000. Now it is at about 14000. That means if you had $1 million in shares then, it would be worth $1.5 million now but it could easily go back down to that level if another outbreak occurs. A friend of mine who was quite conservative and mainly kept her money in the bank bought an apartment for $5 million during the SARS slump. It is now worth more than $10 million! Those with leveraged positions can even make greater profits or losses during these wild swings. To protect you assets you can (a) hold more cash and ( buy more defensive shares...i.e. companies which will be less affected by outbreaks such as supermarkets, electricity and gas, and avoid airlines, restaurants, hotels and retailers, © buy certain financial instruments such as "put options" which is sorta like buying insurance for your investments. Link to post Share on other sites
veronica 2 Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 Quote: buy certain financial instruments such as "put options" oh ok. I'm hopeless at this kind of thing. Link to post Share on other sites
unit 0 Posted March 16, 2005 Share Posted March 16, 2005 Cheers Markie, It doesn't really affect me but like I said, just curious. Link to post Share on other sites
sweets87 0 Posted March 16, 2005 Share Posted March 16, 2005 personally i dont think its as big a deal as they are making it out to be, just like sars. they made it seem like sars was going to wipe out humanity and did it come close? no! hiv/aids is taking out more people everyday then what this bird flu is. they want us to live in fear, it gives them power. i think its just the hot topic of the time right now. i do believe its a problem that needs to get undercontrol and be dealt with but its not the end of the world folks. Link to post Share on other sites
scouser 4 Posted March 16, 2005 Share Posted March 16, 2005 I watched 28 Days Later last night, reminded me of this thread. A bleak film indeed. Link to post Share on other sites
sweets87 0 Posted March 16, 2005 Share Posted March 16, 2005 haha that movie was messed. cant say it makes a tops list for me Link to post Share on other sites
lin 0 Posted March 17, 2005 Share Posted March 17, 2005 Yes I remember seeing that one. Why are so many UK films bleak / grey / depressing, I wonder. (Here we go.... ) As for bird flu, I sure hope the danger is exaggerated (sp.) Link to post Share on other sites
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