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Over the past 6 months the HHS (Department of Health and Human Services) has conducted a series of webinars, or web broadcasts, on pandemic preparedness.
This month they will hold the 6th in the series, this time focusing on individual preparedness.
September Webcast
Join us on September 25, 2008, at 2:00 pm ET, for our Webcast on individual preparedness.
No registration is required. Email your questions for the Webcast panelists before and/or during the program to hhsstudio@hhs.gov. Please include your first name, state and town.
Previous Webcasts
A Webcast on home health care agencies planning aired on July 8, 2008.
A Webcast on preparing the workplace aired on June 4, 2008.
Webcasts, on the State planning and assessment process, aired on March 13, April 2 and April 30, 2008.
The pandemic influenza PlanFirst Webcasts are brought to you by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
The HHS maintains an extensive pandemic flu information site at www.pandemicflu.gov, where visitors may access historical pandemic information, state and Federal pandemic plans, and a wealth of data on how to prepare for a pandemic crisis
Below are some of the challenges our society is expected to face during a pandemic, as listed by the HHS website.
Reasons enough to prepare.
Individuals & Families Planning
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 at www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/business/businesschecklist.html.)
- 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.
People Will Need Advice and Help at Work and Home
- Think about what information the people in your workplace will need if you are a manager. This may include information about insurance, leave policies, working from home, possible loss of income, and when not to come to work if sick. (A Business Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklist is available at www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/business/businesschecklist.html.)
- Meet with your colleagues and make lists of things that you will need to know and what actions can be taken.
- Find volunteers who want to help people in need, such as elderly neighbors, single parents of small children, or people without the resources to get the medical help they will need.
- Identify other information resources in your community, such as mental health hotlines, public health hotlines, or electronic bulletin boards.
- Find support systems—people who are thinking about the same issues you are thinking about. Share ideas.
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.
Given the importance of this webcast subject, I'll be sure to remind my readers as the broadcast date approaches.
