# 627
Two articles form The Deseret Morning News on the report, issued yesterday, to the Governor on changes the state must make to face a pandemic flu threat.
Utah influenza report paints a dire picture
Deseret Morning NewsThe final report on Utah's readiness for a killer pandemic flu is 75 pages of measured urgency, laced with words like "inevitable," "triage" and "emergency powers."
The report, the result of six months of meetings, was presented Tuesday to Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. by the Governor's Task Force for Pandemic Influenza Preparedness. The task force was co-chaired by Utah Department of Health Executive Director David Sundwall, who noted that no one knows when the pandemic will strike, but "we're not waiting for the 'what ifs."'
The task force offered seven areas of recommendations, with a timeline for the most crucial proposals. By July of this year, for example, Huntsman should establish a permanent Pandemic Advisory Committee that will determine whether current state and local emergency powers are adequate.
That list of emergency powers underscores how devastating a pandemic flu could be. The governor, under expanded powers, would be able to set "altered medical care standards" in cases where the health care system is too overwhelmed to adhere to usual standards. The governor would also be able to enforce cancellation of mass events, limit travel into and out of Utah, and require facilities be made available such as emergency hospitals, quarantine facilities or shelter for people unable to stay in their own homes because family members have the flu.
In a second article, a listing of the major findings of this report are summarized.
From the Final Report of the Governor's Pandemic Advisory Committee:
- In the event of pandemic influenza, "There are not enough hospital beds, hospital staff, medical equipment or medical supplies to deliver the same level of care we are able to provide today."
- "... an estimated 20-40 percent of the work force will be out due to illness, care for dependents or fear."
- "A shortage of vaccines and insufficient availability of antiviral medications will be inevitable."
- "Antiviral medications have a finite shelf life. It is not known whether a pandemic will occur during the time period during which a stockpile could be used. It is uncertain whether it will be possible to extend the expiration date of purchased antiviral medications."
- "The public might not understand the need to administer limited vaccine according to priority groups or might not understand or support the specific priority groups that have been established."
- "... the most important link in the chain of economic survival is personal preparedness. We must encourage a level of personal reliance among our citizens to help stave off infrastructure overload and economic collapse."
The last finding echoes what this blog, and many others, have been touting for more than a year. That personal preparedness will be key during a pandemic. The Federal Government has already stated that their policy will be, essentially, YOYO - You're On Your Own.
Most flu victims will, by necessity, have to be cared for at home. Families must be prepared to weather disruptions in essential services, including food deliveries to local stores.
The Federal government has no plans for massive nationwide relief efforts. Each individual community, and by extension, the members of that community, must plan for their own needs.
A pandemic, should it hit, would affect most of the country simultaneously. Anyone expecting the cavalry to ride to the rescue is likely to be badly disappointed. The HHS has recommendations on their website, pandemicflu.gov, as to what families and individuals should be preparing for. Select the Individual Planning Tab for lists and suggestions.
Many observers, including myself, believe that the recommendation for a 2-week supply of food and medicine is inadequate. Many people feel 3-months is prudent.
Read the scenarios presented on this government site, and then decide for yourself.
