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Family Planning:
Practical steps you and your family can take to protect yourselves against any form of influenza pandemic. (Part 1)
A flu pandemic is due, regardless of its mutation with Avian (Bird) Influenza
(H5N1). Our goal here is to list ideas to help you make a personal survival plan of
your own. These pages are based on World Health Organization (WHO) documents and
plans. This is the SHORT VERSION. You can download the longer version on the left
side.
There are six pages in this section including details on social distancing,
face masks, a case study and a special page about children.
The Scenario
Paul has been traveling in Asia. He has caught an Influenza A virus ? the flu. At the same time he has also picked up the H5N1 virus or Avian (bird) Influenza. The virus mutates with the A virus causing a very contagious and dangerous influenza for which there is no vaccine. Paul gets on board his airplane and heads for London. As he coughs and sneezes, others in the plane are infected. They in turn travel from London around the world. The first influenza pandemic of the 21st century has begun. Are you ready for it?
Overview:
The World Health Organization (WHO) has outlined several stages of a flu pandemic. Initially, no one will be flying, schools will close down, hospitals will be overcrowded and businesses will be asked to protect employees, distribute face masks, promote good hygiene, have safe methods of disposing of masks, gloves, etc. and explaining social distancing. The following pages are based on the WHO recommendations.
Here are some questions you should be asking yourself in preparation for the next pandemic:
Where can I get medical advise and medicine?
REASON TO ASK :: In an emergency health care
facilities are overrun. Doctors, pharmacies, clinics, hospitals etc. are jammed
full of people. In the 1967 flu pandemic schools became walk in clinics. Do you
know where you can go if your local doctor is too busy, sick or moved to a
hospital? Do you have websites like this one
bookmarked for quick reference?
What food should I store up?
REASON TO ASK :: (many reasons) a) Quarantines - when
quarantined, it will be difficult to get food into cities let alone go out and
buy food. b) Time factor - there are usually 2 or 3 waves (the flu comes again)
and thus the pandemic can last up to 15 months. Flour, rice, noodles, potatoes,
canned food and non-perishable foods are necessary. c) Power outages can occur
(see below).
Where can I get additional drinking water?
REASON TO ASK :: If shops are closed and tap water is
scarce or contaminated, bottled water will likely be distributed from schools,
stadiums and other large buildings. You will need to know where and how to get
there (public transport will not be working).
How can I stay warm?
REASON TO ASK :: Because quarantines may be set up and
transport systems in chaos (initially), oil tanks won't be delivering (drivers
too will be sick or unwilling to go out), and electricity may be disrupted. When
news breaks of a coming influenza pandemic, stock up on blankets and wood if you
have a fire or oven and replenish your oil if you heat with it.
How do I get to work?
REASON TO ASK :: It is important to understand that
when the influenza pandemic begins, public transport will not be running. Public
buses, trains and so on only make the risk of further transmitting the virus
greater. Gasoline, diesel and so forth will be in short supply. Working in closed offices spreads the risk
of inflection. You should ask your boss what the plan is to work from home for a period of time.
Video presentation: strategy to reduce your risk of a virus infection. (requires free flash software). [Duration: 9:41]
Poll results:
Our Quick Poll for
August asked the following question:
"I have a reasonable idea what to do should bird flu come here."
Yes : 63.6%
No : 18.2%
Unsure : 18.2%
These percentages were from some 800 votes from various countries.
Next: ? Practical steps (part 2)
All Articles
in this series:
? Family Planning Practical steps (part 1).
? Family Planning Practical steps (part 2).
? Social Distancing and How the National Plan Will Effect
You.
? Case Study: How our community reacted to H5N1 when it came.
? Specific advise for your children.
? Face masks, which ones work and when to change them,
details.
Flash Presentation:
The dangers of Bird Flu - educates on symptoms, prevention and more (from the
Associated Press and Center for Disease and Control.) (Opens in a new window)