# 682
Yesterday I highlighted the article written by Maryn Mckenna for CIDRAP on the lack of outreach to grassroots organizations by government pandemic planners. Her article, Pandemic Planners Urged to Tap Grassroots, is here.
There exists around this country, and around the world, a great number of sober, well informed, and interested individuals who would, if given the chance, offer to help. For local health departments, faced with short staffing and a limited budget, this is an untapped resource they should seriously consider.
Today, one of our greatest challenges is pandemic awareness. The general public has largely forgotten about avian influenza, yet the threat remains. For our nation to be ready for a public health crisis, they need to be informed, and prepared.
Back when I was a paramedic, I was called upon to deliver dozens of presentations to civic organizations and public schools about the feared Swine flu pandemic in 1976, and I had the backing and full support of the local health department. I know how effective such presentations can be, and they need not be alarmist to be effective.
Local Health Departments don't have the time or resources to visit hundreds of civic organizations, trailer park club houses, and schools to deliver this vital message. But with the help of responsible flubies (our term for civilian flu watchers) , it could be done quickly, and effectively.
Of course, not every flubie would want to go public, or stand up in front of an audience to make a presentation, but many of us would. All you need do, is ask us.
With the backing and support of government planners and the local health departments, we can get the message out to thousands of citizens in venues large and small.
The message can be standardized, and presented in a responsible manner. By presenting the message calmly, and without hyperbole, citizens will be better prepared; whether it be for a pandemic, a hurricane, flood, or earthquake. An all-threats approach, which includes pandemic awareness, is likely to be better received than simply warning about the H5N1 virus.
Public Health agencies have a vast, untapped volunteer army of people out there, waiting to be called upon. You'd be amazed just how well informed most of them are.
Are there some loose cannons out there? People you might not want doing presentations? Sure, there are some in every crowd. You'd want to do some sort of vetting process before you unleashed them on the public.
I'd encourage government planners and health departments to visit reputable sites like the Flu Wiki and Flutrackers, and ask for volunteers. Any interested agency in Central Florida should feel free to contact me via my email link.
Public Health Departments and emergency planners have a tough job, preparing for the next threat. We can help.
I believe you'd be pleasantly surprised at the results.
