Preparing for a Pandemic Flu
As you know, cases of the Swine Flu have begun to appear, first in Mexico, then the U.S. and now around the world. Back in 2006 we had the Bird Flu scare and without extreme measures being taken in Asia we would have had a worldwide flu pandemic. A pandemic is defined as an “epidemic over a large area” typically involving multiple countries if not the world. In the case of the Swine Flu, it is occurring around the world due to the ease of worldwide travel. As we have been told, this could easily turn into a pandemic flu that impacts the world as a whole.I recommend that you regularly go to the www.CDC.gov website (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) to review their updates on the Swine Flu. I am not a doctor or scientist who studies viruses, but they have experts that do. You will get your best, most accurate information there. Getting your information only from the news media might induce unnecessary fear or complacency. Right now, it is especially critical that you get your info from reliable sources.One of the biggest challenges with a pandemic flu situation is the possibility of a quarantine being imposed. Typically a quarantine is imposed within a limited area like a home, neighborhood or city (like with Mexico City). During quarantine you will need to be prepared to remain indoors with your family for a period of days or multiple weeks. That means you will be relying in part on your Shelter in Place supplies to help you get through that time. With that in mind here are some items I would make sure you have on hand:Respirator Masks – Have at least a good N95 mask, not just a simple dust mask. A mask will prevent germs carried in the air to enter your body. Keep in mind a mask is only as good as the seal it creates around your nose and mouth. I recommend that you change your N95 mask daily. N95 is a rating provided by NIOSH (National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health) which is a division of the CDC, and it means that 95% of all particulates that are .2 microns or larger will not penetrate the mask. An N100 rating means the respirator will prevent 100% off all particulates that are .2 microns or larger from passing through the respirator. One major issue to consider with any mask or respirator is that over a period of a few days you will have build on the outside of the mask that can slough off onto your clothes. So change your masks regularly.Here is a great article explaining the difference between an N95 respirator and a basic surgical mask: "Respirators for Public Health Emergencies"TWO WEEK FOOD SUPPLY – Have at least 2 weeks worth of food in your pantry or stored food. You may not be able to get to the store or the store may not get replenished as workers are unable to get restock. So make sure you have plenty of food.STORE CLEAN WATER – Just in case the water supply gets contaminated, make sure you also have a 2 week supply of stored water on hand. 1 gallon of water per person per day.FIRST-AID, HYGIENE AND MEDICAL SUPPLIES – Because hospitals and medical facilities get overwhelmed in a pandemic, you will be caring for your own more than likely. Make sure you have adequate first-aid, hygiene and medical supplies like latex or non-latex gloves, medicines, hand sanitizer, soaps and if possible antiviral medication like Tami-flu.I don’t mean to overstate the urgency, but I think the worst kind of disaster, aside from a radioactive disaster, would be a viral pandemic. It is worse than an earthquake, hurricane, tornado or any other type of natural disaster. So, make sure you are getting prepared as best you can.
As you know, cases of the Swine Flu have begun to appear, first in Mexico, then the U.S. and now around the world. Back in 2006 we had the Bird Flu scare and without extreme measures being taken in Asia we would have had a worldwide flu pandemic. A pandemic is defined as an “epidemic over a large area” typically involving multiple countries if not the world. In the case of the Swine Flu, it is occurring around the world due to the ease of worldwide travel. As we have been told, this could easily turn into a pandemic flu that impacts the world as a whole.I recommend that you regularly go to the www.CDC.gov website (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) to review their updates on the Swine Flu. I am not a doctor or scientist who studies viruses, but they have experts that do. You will get your best, most accurate information there. Getting your information only from the news media might induce unnecessary fear or complacency. Right now, it is especially critical that you get your info from reliable sources.One of the biggest challenges with a pandemic flu situation is the possibility of a quarantine being imposed. Typically a quarantine is imposed within a limited area like a home, neighborhood or city (like with Mexico City). During quarantine you will need to be prepared to remain indoors with your family for a period of days or multiple weeks. That means you will be relying in part on your Shelter in Place supplies to help you get through that time. With that in mind here are some items I would make sure you have on hand:Respirator Masks – Have at least a good N95 mask, not just a simple dust mask. A mask will prevent germs carried in the air to enter your body. Keep in mind a mask is only as good as the seal it creates around your nose and mouth. I recommend that you change your N95 mask daily. N95 is a rating provided by NIOSH (National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health) which is a division of the CDC, and it means that 95% of all particulates that are .2 microns or larger will not penetrate the mask. An N100 rating means the respirator will prevent 100% off all particulates that are .2 microns or larger from passing through the respirator. One major issue to consider with any mask or respirator is that over a period of a few days you will have build on the outside of the mask that can slough off onto your clothes. So change your masks regularly.Here is a great article explaining the difference between an N95 respirator and a basic surgical mask: "Respirators for Public Health Emergencies"TWO WEEK FOOD SUPPLY – Have at least 2 weeks worth of food in your pantry or stored food. You may not be able to get to the store or the store may not get replenished as workers are unable to get restock. So make sure you have plenty of food.STORE CLEAN WATER – Just in case the water supply gets contaminated, make sure you also have a 2 week supply of stored water on hand. 1 gallon of water per person per day.FIRST-AID, HYGIENE AND MEDICAL SUPPLIES – Because hospitals and medical facilities get overwhelmed in a pandemic, you will be caring for your own more than likely. Make sure you have adequate first-aid, hygiene and medical supplies like latex or non-latex gloves, medicines, hand sanitizer, soaps and if possible antiviral medication like Tami-flu.I don’t mean to overstate the urgency, but I think the worst kind of disaster, aside from a radioactive disaster, would be a viral pandemic. It is worse than an earthquake, hurricane, tornado or any other type of natural disaster. So, make sure you are getting prepared as best you can.
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