# 3707
Taking a page out of the pandemic preparedness advice that’s been offered for several years on the flu forums and in this very blog, Canada is pushing the idea of personal preparedness for this flu season and the acquisition of `Flu Buddies’.
In addition to indentifying (and becoming) flu buddies, according to this morning’s article from the Vancouver Sun, officials plan to launch the next phase of their:
"Citizen Readiness Campaign" this fall with a major public information campaign that will focus on family preparedness plans, immunization and keeping stockpiles of prescription medication, non-perishable food and water.
First the article, then a few flu resources that are pertinent to the subject.
Finding a 'flu buddy' a key part of the plan to prepare Canadians
Major H1N1 information blitz scheduled for fall
By Sharon Kirkey, Canwest News ServiceAugust 8, 2009
Canada's public health agency is urging Canadians to identify a "flu buddy" willing to help care for them should they get sick with human swine flu this fall.
The Public Health Agency of Canada told Canwest News Service that Canadians should "talk with family, friends and neighbours and figure out how you might help each other during the H1N1 pandemic."
"Identify elderly or vulnerable relatives, friends and neighbours who may need your help," the agency said in a statement to Canwest.
"During a pandemic outbreak, keep an eye on these people, especially those living alone and phone them if you suspect they might be ill."
The `Flu Buddy’ concept is one that I’ve personally been pushing since about 2007, and you can find my latest scribe on the subject in my sidebar:
Karen, aka Readymom who founded the Readymoms Organization has taken that essay and massaged it a bit (and improved it, I think) and has posted it on her SCRIBD account, where anyone can download it for free.
Thank you, Karen.
She also has a document, and a powerpoint presentation on Pandemic Parenting also available for free downloading.
Get Pandemic Ready
GetPandemicReady.org is a terrific web resource (I am a minor contributor) created by volunteers, and hosted by Nez Perce County, Idaho.
Here you’ll find simple, easy to follow advice on dozens of preparedness subjects including how to stockpile food, build a first aid kit, or staying warm or cool when the power goes out.
And lastly, this is National Preparedness Month in the United States, and Ready.gov, along with FEMA, and a host of other agencies remind us, we all need to be prepared for emergencies.
Last, but not least, Flu.gov provides some of the best, and most authoritative information on pandemic influenza. Their individual and family preparedness guides are a bit hard to find, so simply follow THIS LINK.
