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California, at least, is taking the pandemic threat seriously. Marin County schools sent out 40,000 warnings this week - and upgraded the "72 hour
emergency stockpile" recommendation to 2 weeks.
40,000 Marin Schoolkids Get Bird Flu Warning
Health officials recently sent 40,000 fliers home with Marin County schoolchildren warning parents to prepare for a possible bird flu pandemic in
California. ...The flier sent home with school students warns that if an avian flu pandemic were to hit California, thousands or perhaps millions
could become very sick.
"All of us in public health are quite concerned," said Dr. Fred Schwartz, the county's chief health officer. "We may find a situation where 30 to
40 percent of people are becoming infected. That translates to 30 to 40 percent absenteeism at businesses, utilities, schools and the health care
sector."
Taking emergency guidelines established by the President himself, Marin is among several Bay Area counties that have begun preparing to distribute
avian flu literature to the public, even though there is no immediate threat of a global pandemic. ...The fliers sent home with Marin's schoolkids
urge families to stock up not on the usual 72 hours of emergency supplies but rather two weeks' supply of food and water, extra prescription drugs,
and over-the-counter cold and flu medications.
Good job Marin County.
But people need stockpiles for 3 months, not 2 weeks.
