Planning for Pandemics

What is a Pandemic?

The World Health Organization has defined a pandemic as a global outbreak of a disease that occurs when a novel virus emerges in the human population, causes serious illness or death, and spreads easily from person to person.

How could a Pandemic Impact Your Family?

Epidemics and pandemics can place sudden and intense demands on infrastructure and health systems, changing the very way we live. They expose existing weaknesses in these systems and, in addition to their morbidity and mortality, can disrupt economic and civic activities.

Currently, we are experiencing outbreaks of Poliomyelitis, Marburg Hemorrhagic Fever, Extensively Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis (XDR-TB), Rift Valley Fever, Yellow Fever and Avian Influenza H5N1 (bird flu).

The impact of a pandemic will be not only local, but global – local infrastructure, health care systems, and emergency response will soon be overwhelmed. This stresses the importance of preparation. With planning and preparedness, people can become self-sufficient and “weather the storm.”

How do you prepare for a pandemic?

The following are some basic steps to prepare you and your family for a pandemic:

• Store a minimum two-week supply of water and food, notably nonperishable food, which is easy to store and cook, and requires little or no water for preparation.
• Plan for disruption of services, including those at hospitals and other health care facilities, banks, stores, restaurants, government offices and post offices.
• Prepare backup plans for entertainment in case public gatherings, such as malls, movie theaters, volunteer meetings and worship services, are canceled.
• Plan home learning activities for children in case local schools are closed.
• Maintain a continuous supply of regular prescription drugs and have nonprescription drugs and other supplies on hand.
• Anticipate the needs of family members in case they get sick.
• Consider how to care for people with special needs in case of disrupted services.
• Make good hygiene a habit.
  • Wash hands frequently with soap and water.
  • Cover coughs and sneezes with tissues, and be sure to model that behavior. Use upper sleeve if you don't have a tissue.
  • Stay at home if you are sick.

Remember to drink lots of water and eat a balanced diet, limiting salt, sugar, alcohol and saturated fat intake. Exercise on a regular basis and get plenty of rest. If a pandemic occurs, having accurate and reliable information will be critical.

Plan.  Provide.  Protect…The Sovereign Deed Promise™