What we can expect when a Pandemic Hits

To help prevent the spread of the flu communities may be quarantined, meaning, you will not be able to count on out of town family and friends to help. People who may have been exposed may be required to stay in their homes. Schools, public transportation systems, all public events, government and private sector offices, even churches will all close down.

Those who work in stores, deliver to those stores and work at docks unloading supplies being shipped in from other countries, will also become ill or restricted to their homes. Many businesses will be forced to close because employees will stay home to protect themselves or to care for ill family members. This will mean the closure of businesses such as grocery stores and gas stations.

Relief agencies, police and fire departments and hospitals will be short staffed as employees and volunteers will become ill or remain home to care for family members. You will be on your own.

Outside of the quarantine area businesses will close as supplies become limited. The Stock Market will close, bankruptcies will increase as people stop receiving government aid checks and pay checks.

Prepare for disruptions in utility services. Utilities; electric, gas and water, all require staff to keep them operating at full capacity. Workers will stay home and ordinary repairs will become major complications as staff will be limited. Power outages may last longer than normal. This may mean no heat, refrigeration, lights, and for those served by wells, no water. Without power pipes may freeze and break. Water may become contaminated as staff will not be equipped to monitor and control all systems and repairs. If we should experience a winter storm, ice storm, firestorm or earthquake which damages or destroys lines during this time the problems would be greatly compounded.

Communications during this time will become vital to your physical and emotional health. If a generator is not practical for your family make sure you have a battery or crank radio and plenty of batteries on hand.

Government and relief agencies all recommend we prepare to care for our own needs. If your community is not quarantined but the flu virus is in the area you will want to impose a self quarantine and stay in your home. Only with exposure to flu germs can you catch the flu. For a self quarantine to be possible for your family you will need to prepare now.

All agencies involved in pandemic planning recommend  every family have an emergency store of food on hand. They disagree on the size of that store ranging from a ten day to three month supply. We know for historic records that a pandemic comes in three waves. I want to be safe through all three which will require a three month supply of food. As an emergency approaches store shelves are rapidly stripped of all supplies. As we have seen when storm warnings are issued it takes only minutes for shelves to empty and days before new supplies arrive. The same will happen once the first signs of a pandemic flu appear.

You may be called upon to help family members and friends and you will want to be prepared. If you live in the country, even on a few acres your home will be the ideal place to self quarantine with your family and extended family. This will allow the children to play outside occasionally without exposure to others who may be carrying the flu. It will also allow you to keep contaminated garbage far from the house. If you are the likely refuge for your family you will need more food.