From the AZ Republic newspaper

[gardnmom]

A few facts we can all benefit from are found here: http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/o...103tue1-02.html

Flu threat is real, we aren't ready

Jan. 3, 2006 12:00 AM

Quarantined neighborhoods. Closed schools. Shuttered stores. Government and business offices operating in slow motion, if at all.

 

Those aren't the possibilities that usually come to mind when people think of a flu pandemic. But a global outbreak of the deadly virus would not only sicken millions of people, it would also disrupt daily life.

 

Those disruptions could be so serious that they threaten lives and human welfare.

 

Or we could plan now to avert or minimize the impact of pandemic flu.

 

There's no time to lose. Scientists expect a virulent form of influenza to strike again worldwide, quite possibly from a mutation of the virus that is causing avian flu now.

 

At least 74 people have died after getting the deadly H5N1 strain of influenza from birds. As more people contract the disease, the danger rises that the virus will mutate so it spreads easily from person to person. And then takes off around the globe.

 

Arizona can be a leader in getting ready.

 

We're one of three states, along with Minnesota and Arkansas, kicking off a nationwide series of public forums on emergency planning for a flu pandemic. The conference, "Arizona Prepares," will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. Friday at the Orpheum Theatre in downtown Phoenix.

 

Gov. Janet Napolitano is the host, and two top U.S. health officials - Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt and Julie Gerberding, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - are scheduled to participate.

 

Let's hope the heavyweight names attract attention.

 

This event needs to draw people from businesses, civic groups, churches, schools and families who will not only act on what they hear but also spread the word.

 

State health officials say that they can't be certain how the disease would strike, but they expect that the biggest wave of illness would move through the population in six to eight weeks.

 

They might use quarantines to control the disease. Schools and other public places could be closed, either to contain infection or because so many workers are sick.

 

So it's important to have a supply of water and non-perishable food on hand. Parents should see if family and friends could help watch their children if schools and day-care centers are shut.

 

Businesses should figure out how to operate if key people are out of action. The strategies could include cross-training. If staff members might work from home, it's important to do some trial runs and work out any kinks.

 

A flu vaccine may be unavailable or in limited supply, so people will have to rely on the basic steps of preventing contagion: covering coughs and sneezes, washing frequently, using hand sanitizers, constantly washing your hands and quite possibly using masks.

 

Sound obvious and boring?

 

That's one of the biggest challenges. Inertia. Disaster preparedness is such a common-sense set of steps that they're dangerously easy to put off. And then forget to update.

 

Arizonans need to realize that this planning is valuable for all types of potential problems, from other types of infectious disease to a regional power blackout.

 

Knowing what to do, and having something concrete to do, is also an effective way to avoid panic.

 

Sure, it's easy to be skeptical about the latest push to be prepared. We had the anthrax scare. We worried about smallpox. We laughed at people who heeded the goofy notion of stocking up on duct tape in case of a terrorist attack (or we didn't reveal having bought a case of the stuff).

 

Now there's the threat of pandemic flu, and a vague feeling that this is too much like the boy who cried, "Wolf."

 

The story has a lesson worth remembering: There really was a wolf. The flu threat is real. Failing to prepare would be foolish and reckless.

 

 

 

 

[Kat]

Thank you Lois for the link! The Arizona Republic is the primary newspaper for the Phoenix area, hopefully many people read this article.