State Dept Changes Tune on Hong Kong Preps
#203

After several days of setting the internet abuzz over their recommendation that all Americans living in Hong Kong stockpile a 3-month supply of food and water, suddenly today the Consulate General’s office has reversed itself, and is now only recommending a 2-week supply.

Avian Flu
American Citizens Services Newsletter
Pandemic Influenza -- Preparing for Possible Shelter-In-Place
U.S. Consulate General for Hong Kong and Macau

November 9, 2006

The U.S. Department of State recently sent a cable to all diplomatic and consular posts entitled "Pandemic Influenza: Preparing for Possible Shelter-In-Place". The cable's main intent was to provide guidance to all staff regarding "shelter-in-place". That is, in the event of severe pandemic influenza with high morbidity, the public may be advised to self-quarantine. The Department of Health and Human Services, via its pandemicflu.gov website, advises that families have on hand two weeks of emergency supplies (food, water, medicines) in the event of a pandemic influenza.

link

Apparently, somebody somewhere didn’t like the message.


The original recommendation is nowhere to be seen. It has been replaced by the new `improved', and politically correct statement.


Perhaps it was regarded as a diplomatic affront to the Chinese, suggesting that their infrastructure might fail during a pandemic, leaving residents at risk. Or perhaps the 3-month recommendation was an in-house decision, and never sanctioned by the State Department.


Either way, the 3-month recommendation was good advice. It’s a shame they’ve reversed it. The idea that a couple of weeks of food and water would suffice during an Avian Flu pandemic is ludicrous.


Two days ago I applauded the Hong Kong Consulate Generals’ office for taking this bold step.


Today, following their example.


I take it all back.