Our local health department is going the extra mile in an attempt to prepare our area for the likely arrival of swine flu this Fall. They have allowed groups to pre-purchase doses of TamiFlu. Since our health department only initially received 20 doses, which they gave to the hospital, this plan has allowed them to secure more doses for our citizens. If there is an outbreak, those who have pre-purchased the treatment will receive their doses.
The School District has resigned itself to the fact that an outbreak of swine flu will be inevitable once kids return to school. Since swine flu (H1N1) so far hasn’t proven to be any more lethal than typical influenza, the concern is the speed at which it spreads. If there is an outbreak, two-week quarantines will be necessary to control the spread of the virus. So, families are strongly encouraged to review the supplies in their homes and secure a well-rounded two-week supply to use in the event they are isolated in their homes with swine flu. In these last weeks before school starts again, it is a good time to replace things you may have used from your storage. Here are some things I realized I needed to buy or replace to feel prepared for a comfortable (that’s a relative term) quarantine:
Laundry soap
Dishwasher soap (this is important so that you can easily sterilize dishes)
Toilet Paper
Diapers & Wipes
Powdered Milk and Eggs (see my next post for more on these)
Stored Vegetables (more frozen, dehydrated or canned so that I can have variety to use with easy meals)
These are just a few ideas, and needs will vary from family to family, but the practice of assessing everything you use regularly and seeing what may be missing from your storage is a good idea. The more prepared individual families are, the less strain it will put on them and those around them if they become infected because their basic needs will be met. The government is working on developing a vaccine that will prevent swine flu. Hopefully, it will be ready by Fall and will prevent a lot of the inconvenience and discomfort of this illness. In the meantime, we can do our part.
Good ideas… I really need to think about this. I was wondering if you think the quarantine will be just the schools or if you think all businesses will shut down? I guess I don’t know the extent of the planned quarantine. I was trying to figure out if I would still be going to work if the quarantine happened. I wonder what all the parents will do if their kids are home from school. By the way, I can go to that stake meeting if you need more people to go. Just let me know.
Great reminder…thanks!
Yes, we’ve been thinking a lot about the swine flu and possible quarantines that may befall us in the fall. In the UK, there are currently 100,000 cases of the swine flu — they doubled within the last month. As far as fruits and veggies are concerned, have you considered freeze dried produce? They keep their nutritional value much better than dried produce and have an incredible flavor: http://tinyurl.com/lc5byx