Not So Great Expectations

 

# 463

 

 

During a pandemic, what sort of difficulties should you expect to encounter?

 

 

Social Disruption May Be Widespread

• Plan for the possibility that usual services may be disrupted. These could include services provided by hospitals and other health care facilities, banks, stores, restaurants, government offices, and post offices.
• Prepare backup plans in case public gatherings, such as volunteer meetings and worship services, are canceled.
• Consider how to care for people with special needs in case the services they rely on are not available.

 

 

 

Being Able to Work May Be Difficult or Impossible

• Find out if you can work from home.
• Ask your employer about how business will continue during a pandemic. (A Business Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklist is available  here )
• Plan for the possible reduction or loss of income if you are unable to work or your place of employment is closed.
• Check with your employer or union about leave policies.

 

 

Schools May Be Closed for an Extended Period of Time

• Help schools plan for pandemic influenza. Talk to the school nurse or the health center. Talk to your teachers, administrators, and parent-teacher organizations.
• Plan home learning activities and exercises. Have materials, such as books, on hand. Also plan recreational activities that your children can do at home.
• Consider childcare needs.

 

 

Transportation Services May Be Disrupted

• Think about how you can rely less on public transportation during a pandemic. For example, store food and other essential supplies so you can make fewer trips to the store.
• Prepare backup plans for taking care of loved ones who are far away.
• Consider other ways to get to work, or, if you can, work at home.

 

 

Be Prepared

Stock a supply of water and food. During a pandemic you may not be able to get to a store. Even if you can get to a store, it may be out of supplies. Public waterworks services may also be interrupted. Stocking supplies can be useful in other types of emergencies, such as power outages and disasters. Store foods that:

• are nonperishable (will keep for a long time) and don't require refrigeration
• are easy to prepare in case you are unable to cook
• require little or no water, so you can conserve water for drinking

See a checklist of items to have on hand for an extended stay at home.

 

 

The rantings of a mad blogger?  Fear mongering on the Internet?

 

Hardly. 

 

These are direct quotes from the Health & Human services pandemic flu website's personal checklist  at www.pandemicflu.gov

 

If you haven't visted the pandemic flu website recently, it is a treasure trove of information.  And yes, they update it frequently.

 

The government is serious about telling its citizens to prepare.