CDC Pandemic Flu Press Conference

Centers for Disease Control held a press conference today to talk about Pandemic Flu Preparedness.

While the whole of their media advisory is located here, the important thing is to notice the topic, and read what they will be talking about:

For the first time, the new CDC guidelines illustrate how public health recommendations should or may vary depending on the projected severity of a pandemic.

WHO: Secretary Mike Leavitt, Department of Health and Human Services (via satellite) Dr. Julie Gerberding, Director, CDC Dr. Marty Cetron, Director, CDC Division of Global Migration and Quarantine Dr. Paul E. Jarris, Executive Director, Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO)

WHAT: Release of two new initiatives to advance the nation's pandemic influenza preparedness efforts: 1) new PSAs designed to encourage people to learn more about pandemic flu and 2) New CDC guidelines for implementing public health measures and actions in response to a pandemic (i.e. non-pharmaceutical actions such as dismissing students from school, voluntary isolate of ill people, and social distancing measures like teleworking).

WHY: The impact of pandemic influenza extends well beyond health and medical communities into many segments of society. Developing a pandemic influenza vaccine could take several months, and this guidance describes strategies that may lessen the impact of pandemic influenza through the use of public health measures that don't involve vaccines or medications (also called non-pharmaceutical interventions.

When you go to this web site, you want to make damn sure to click the tab called "Individual Planning"

www.pandemicflu.gov...

link to Press briefing
www.cdc.gov...

Originally posted by SIRR1
When you go to this web site, you want to make damn sure to click the tab called "Individual Planning"

That can be found at this link -
www.pandemicflu.gov...

Thanks for providing that. It's all basic common sense, but it is also a bit sobering, isn't it?

Just curious. Has the flu season even hit yet?
Usually it's here by now. I haven't met anyone who's had he flu yet this year.
Is it running late this year?

Oh I just loved their little jingle "know what to do about pandemic flue" just makes me feel all warm and cozy inside. ug

Ok, a couple of questions....

Select foods that do not require refrigeration, preparation (including the use of water), or cooking.

.....................................................

Store two weeks of water, 1 gallon of water per person per day. (2 quarts for drinking, 2 quarts for food preparation/sanitation), in clean plastic containers. Avoid using containers that will decompose or break, such as milk cartons or glass bottles.

Why the heck do we need to make sure we have 2 weeks worth of water if the flu breaks out???????

Why would my phones be disrupted?????

In a pandemic, there may be widespread illness that could result in the shut down of local ATMs and banks. Keep a small amount of cash or traveler's checks in small denominations for easy use.

Whats up with that? Are they going to have to burn the flu off all the paper money???

restrictions on public gatherings, such as at malls, movie theaters.

um, yea this could get ugly. talk about a lot of seriously ticked off teens

Plan home learning activities and exercises that your children can do at home.
.....................
Plan entertainment and recreational activities that your children can do at home.

Ok, those were stated because we "might not" be able to or allowed to leave our house.

Im sorry, but doesnt this look more like a guide on how to prepare for martial law rather than the flu?

It's the same thing as martial law. You can bet your butt that people will panic and will try despite the efforts of the community to leave their homes and the military will have to enforce quarantines.

This is why we should always be prepared be it the flu, nukes, war etc... always have these things are hand. The Just in Case scenerio.

Phones could be disrupted because of overloaded phone lines. Everyone is going to want to call someone to make sure they are ok.

ATM's won't be stocked because of an imposed quarantine. Nobody will be going to work and the machine only holds so much money which 1000 other people are going to think of going to.

The impact of pandemic influenza extends well beyond health and medical communities into many segments of society. Developing a pandemic influenza vaccine could take several months, and this guidance describes strategies that may lessen the impact of pandemic influenza through the use of public health measures that don't involve vaccines or medications (also called non-pharmaceutical interventions.

This disturbs because it's the admittance that this goes beyond the CDC and WHO's reach. Villages are being attacked and it's not being stopped effectively. I think the above quote says a lot more than simply it's words.

Originally posted by mrsdudara
Why the heck do we need to make sure we have 2 weeks worth of water if the flu breaks out???????

Because if the pandemic is bad enough, then people won't be able to get to their jobs at the water/sewage plants. Supply lines that bring in chemicals to purify water will be disrupted as well. People will either be dead; too sick to go in; or too afraid to go in. Water supplies could be disrupted.

Why would my phones be disrupted?????

See my above answer. Same thing.

Are they going to have to burn the flu off all the paper money???

See my above answer. Same thing .. but with power stations and banking institutes.

on how to prepare for martial law rather than the flu?

If a pandemic with hundreds of thousands dead, and millions desperately ill, martial law COULD happen. Firemen, police, health workers, National Guard .. with high numbers dead or too sick to work would mean that there very well could be a major rise in crime. Criminals would take advantage of business and stores that are empty of people all the while knowing that no police will appear to catch them. Massive looting. Rape gangs? It could get very ugly.

It also means that it would be best for the average person to be in their own homes and be able to be self sufficient for at least a month or two.



[edit on 2/8/2007 by FlyersFan]

Originally posted by DDay
This is why we should always be prepared be it the flu, nukes, war etc... always have these things are hand. The Just in Case scenerio.

Yes. It's common sense these days. Everyone should have a month or two worth of canned food and water. A three day bug-out bag should be ready at all times. Meet-up instructions for family members. Etc etc

The pandemic flu isn't the only thing on the horizon. Major hurricanes. Earthquakes. Tornados. Terrorist attacks. etc etc.

Our family has done this forever. It's smart.

How many actually do have 2 months supply of food?water?
Only the relatively wealthy.
If you think a person can get what is required together to ne prepared on 5$ an hour your freaking nuts
It is the poorer people who will do a lot of the dying here.