The Stuff That Solutions Are Made Of· What do I need from the Department of Health and Human Services — or others — to be able to make a contribution? While a pandemic would be an overwhelming event, one that no government could possibly handle on their own, we have a secret weapon at our disposal, one that could well change the course and outcome of a crisis. That weapon? We, the people. Ordinary citizens like you and I. We are the stuff that solutions are made of. The States and Federal government can make plans, and prepare on a macro level, but ultimately we are the ones who will have to answer the call in our communities. We’ve grown accustomed to treating our nation like a 5 star resort, where if a problem with the accommodations crops up, we call the front desk and complain. “Hello? I’d like to report a pandemic in my room. Please send someone up right away. Thanks“ Under normal circumstances, that’s how things work. We pay our taxes, and in return we expect the government to handle the big problems for us while we concentrate on working, raising our families, and chasing the fabled American Dream. We aren’t always satisfied with the results, but that’s our system, and so we generally sigh, accept what we get, and go on. Sometimes though, perhaps once in a generation, a crisis comes along that is simply too big for the government to handle alone. When that happens, they must turn to the people for help. The last time the government did this was during World War II, and history shows it was the right move. In fact, the efforts on the home front made the difference in the outcome of that war. The corollaries between then and now are remarkable. In 1941, we watched from a distance as the war in Europe raged on, and while we we’re sympathetic to those fighting aggression and annexation in Europe, we felt we were protected by two vast oceans; that it wasn’t our war. We lent support to England and Russia with the lend-lease program, but were unwilling to join the fight. It wasn’t until after Pearl Harbor, and the destruction of the Pacific Fleet, that we felt our backs were against the wall and our nation rallied. It was, we realized, no longer a European problem; it was our problem too. After the shock of December 7th, we rapidly mobilized a great nation. Millions of men and women flocked to recruiting stations to enlist, knowing full well they were going in harm’s way. My father was one of them, all of 17 years of age when he joined the navy. From cities and farms they came, because their nation needed them. During those early dark days of 1942 the outcome of the war was in real doubt, as we’d joined in late, and were starting with a diminished military and an economy still lagging from the effects of a decade long depression. There were many who believed the war was lost before it started, and we should simply capitulate. But a miracle of sorts occurred. Not unlike the one we need today. On the home front millions more joined the war effort. Housewives took off their aprons and donned tool belts, went to work in shipyards and airplane factories, and the legend of Rosie the Riveter was born. Ordinary citizens, many too old for active service, volunteered to become block wardens and aircraft spotters. Teenagers rolled bandages or served donuts for the Red Cross, and volunteers worked in VA hospitals and USO clubs around the nation. Everyone recycled for the war effort, housewives collected grease, and people accepted the need for ration coupons and meatless Tuesdays. The media, radio and movies mostly, rallied the nation with what today is considered blatant propaganda, but there can be no doubt that their efforts enabled us to meet an almost impossible challenge. Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, the Andrews Sisters, and hundreds of other celebrities lent their voices to the war effort. They told us to buy war bonds, and we did. They reminded us to recycle, and we did. They told us to believe in ourselves, and that we could win. And we did. We went from a badly weakened military to a fighting force in a matter of months. In time, hundreds of aircraft began to roll off of assembly lines each week, and by the end of the war, the Navy was launching a new liberty ship nearly every day. It was a remarkable achievement. Looking back, it took more than a government and a military to win that war. It took the help and full cooperation of the American people. Right now, while we face a different threat, the solutions are the same. As in 1940, we aren’t preparing for the battle to come, we are sleeping peacefully, unaware of the gathering storm. Unlike 70 years ago, we need to reawaken the American spirit and rally the nation before we see an attack on our soil. The government, despite their best efforts, cannot fight a pandemic alone. They will need our help. But for that to happen, they must be willing to enable our participation. During WWII, there were people called ‘dollar-a-year-men‘, business executives and community leaders who served their nations at little or no pay. The government paid their expenses, but they donated their time. They did it because they felt it was their patriotic duty: an old, but honorable concept. They weren’t part of the government, or the military, but we’re recognized by those entities as genuine partners in the war effort. They lent their time, support, and expertise, because they realized their country needed them. We need to reawaken that spirit. Enable it, and encourage it. One of the best reservoirs of talent available to the government today are members of flu forums, sometimes called flubies, who already are well informed, passionate, and ahead of the curve on pandemic preparation. Some of them are already giving presentations in their communities, but there are many more who would, if encouraged. Pandemic flu preparedness isn’t something that can be adequately conveyed to the public in 30-second public service announcements, or drive-by newspaper articles. The subject is too complex, and people need to have their questions answered. In my experience, it takes an hour just to hit the high points. The best, and perhaps the only effective way to get the message out are through community town hall style meetings. We need knowledgeable people who can do responsible presentations in every school, church, community center, and civic organization in the nation. Citizens need to know how to prepare, what to expect, and how to deal with it. But in order for this to happen, the government must enable, encourage, and most importantly, sanction these presentations. The message can be standardized, and presented without raising undo alarm. But it mustn’t be watered down or sugar coated. The public won’t panic if they are properly informed. Panic only comes from an absence of knowledge. While the primary message should be about pandemic flu, this is also an opportunity to present an ‘all-threats‘ preparedness message, one that would pertain not only to a pandemic, but also to hurricanes, earthquakes, and other natural disasters. Imagine the cumulative impact of having hundreds of community pandemic awareness meetings each month across this country? The message would be picked up by local media, and the word would be spread by attendee’s to families and friends. We would have an opportunity to instill a preparedness meme in our country, which would serve us well in any crisis. And we can tailor each presentation to the audience, increasing its effectiveness. Retired doctors and nurses, and yes, even old retired medics like myself, can begin teaching home flu care and preventative hygiene classes in our communities. The government has already acknowledged that most flu victims won’t be able to receive hospital care. The next step is to empower people to care for their loved ones in a pandemic. Local health departments are understaffed and under budgeted. They don’t have time to visit every civic organization, trailer park clubhouse, church and school to deliver this message. Thirty years ago, during the Swine Flu scare of 1976, as a young medic I was enlisted by the local Health Department to do exactly that, and during that summer I spoke at dozens of venues. These presentations were considered a great success, and the audiences were very receptive. Oh, I understand the reluctance. Can you trust us? Can we be professional? Can we deliver the message without sparking undo panic or alarm? I believe the answer to all of those questions is ‘yes’. Many of us in the flubie community are products of the cold war. Most of us are in our 40’s or 50’s. We grew up under the specter of the A-bomb. We learned to ‘duck and cover’ as children, and knew not to look at the flash. We remember the civil defense films, shown in every classroom in the nation during the 1960’s, and the tense days of the Cuban Missile Crisis. At the age of 8, I probably knew more about fallout shelters and radiation sickness than most Americans know about pandemic flu today. We didn’t panic, or act recklessly then, and we won’t now. In fact this early tempering on the forge of the cold war was probably responsible for my becoming a paramedic, an Instructor for the American Red Cross, and a member of my county’s Civil Defense team. Admittedly a misspent youth, but one I am unapologetic for. If you can’t trust us, whom can you trust? Start small, if need be. Initiate a pilot program. Go to the flu forums and ask for volunteers. Pick the best dozen representatives you can find. We’re all on record; it wouldn’t take much to determine whom you can trust. Give them letters of introduction and some preparedness pamphlets and see what they can do in their communities. You might be pleasantly surprised. It doesn’t always take a multi-million dollar advertising campaign to get the word out. I get very little traction talking about pandemic flu in my community because I’m a private citizen, with no bona fides. As far as I can see, there is little or no pandemic preparation or awareness here, and no one wants to listen to a retired paramedic. I have no official standing, and so I am easily dismissed. Legitimize our efforts, enable us to get our foot in the door, and you will have an army of hard-working, dedicated foot soldiers in the field. Give us enough levers, even small ones, and we’ll help move the world for you. It’s really as simple as that. Community education, while vital, is just the beginning. While there is much planning going on at the Federal and State levels, distressingly little appears to be happening at the community level. Most local governments are waiting for direction and funding from higher up, or are ignoring the problem altogether. Few communities have the budget to gear up for a pandemic, and so few are actively doing anything to prepare. Many, mistakenly still believe the State or Federal government will move in to handle any crisis. To solve this impasse we need community volunteers, working in partnership with local governments, to prepare for a pandemic. We should be thinking along the lines of a State or Federally sanctioned Volunteer Pandemic Corps, where citizens can band together to help their communities solve local problems. Once again, members of flu forums who have considered and discussed these issues could be major assets to these organizations. How do we ensure the delivery of food and supplies to local communities? How do we distribute needed medicines to families? Who will check on the elderly, or infirmed, during a pandemic? What about single parents who are stricken by the virus? Who cares for them, or their children? What becomes of the 27 million Americans who live alone if they become ill? Who will step in to take over the jobs of fallen essential workers? These are problems that will require local solutions, and yet are beyond the scope and capacity of most local governments. Somehow, we must find ways to deal with them. It should be noted that those of us over the age of 40 may be particularly useful in a pandemic. This virus, much like the Spanish Flu of 1918, prefers young adults and children. Thus far, 90% of its victims have been under the age of 40. Baby boomers, such as myself, run less of a risk of infection or death than do younger people. Since the goal of any rational society is to protect the next generation, some of us who are less vulnerable must ultimately step up and take on some of the risks during a pandemic. No, its not a pleasant thought. No one wants to go in harm’s way. But it is the responsible thing for us to do. It is my hope we can create an army of graying volunteers, thin of hair, but not of spirit, to do those jobs during a pandemic we wouldn’t wish upon our children. If a volunteer can drive a truck, check on a neighbor, hand out a flyer, join a neighborhood watch, work a telephone, tend to the sick, cook a meal, operate a Ham Radio, or watch the child of someone who is ill, they can be an essential relief worker. You don’t have to put on a uniform, or wear a badge, to be a hero to your community. All you have to do is think like one. And act like one. Pretty soon, you’ll be one. No, not everyone will volunteer to work during a pandemic. I understand that. Not everyone is suited for it. There are personal risks involved. It takes a special type of person, often one without family responsibilities, to undertake this sort of assignment in a crisis. But there are more of them out there than you know. You just have to ask them to come forth. Officials are often loath to ask for help from the public. They see it as an admission of failure on their part. But the real failure would be in not asking, when the need is this obvious. They can’t handle a pandemic alone. They know it. We know it. It’s time to reach for a solution. Cynicism towards all levels of government runs rampant in our society. People, quite frankly, don’t trust the government. They feel disenfranchised, isolated, and patronized. The government correspondingly has grown wary of its own citizens. We’ve gotten to the point where we talk at each other, instead of to each other. While it may sound idealistic, working together to fight a pandemic could help heal that rift. Even if a pandemic doesn’t occur in the near-term, by working together on solutions, we would become a stronger, safer, and more unified nation. We’d be better prepared for the next earthquake, hurricane, or flood. And those are threats we know we will face. Trust is a two-way street. If the government can show some faith in its citizens by asking for their help, citizens will naturally begin to trust the government more. An unavoidable side effect, I suppose. But it’s one, in time, I believe we could learn to live with.
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Michael, you reached in and touched my idealistic heart. In response to another blog here I suggested that the flubie community come up with a brochure that can be mailed to each and every resident address in the US or any other interested country. So many ideas and a lot of information has come from “flubies” in other countries, we must share. I am not sure if this suggestion made it through to Dr. Benjamins blog so I will mention it again here.
Here I am, send me!
Give me some credentials and a tad bit of training and I am good to go. I am scared to death of public speaking but I am more afraid of a pandemic so its a no-brainer.
Posted May 28th, 2007 at 10:33 amWell said.
This being Memorial Dat here is America I’d like to take this opportunity to pay my respects to our fallen heros. The men and women of our country who have enabled us to enjoy the lives we live today.
I’d also like to take this opportunity to remember the 50-100 million souls lost during the 1918 Spanish Flu Pandemic. Even with a death rate of 2.5% the 1918 Pandemic nearly brought the world to its knees.
It is in the spirit of remembrance today that we should all take to heart the catastrophic effect an H5N1 Pandemic with its current death rate of 60%+ will have on the entire planet.
Happy Memorial Day.
Posted May 28th, 2007 at 10:55 amGood Morning,
When closing out a meeting or campfire a few words are often said.
“When all is said and done - more is said than done” I hope this is not the case.
Like Mr Coston opens with - we did such a good job with the cold war it should not disapear?
First - what is a leader and what are my expectations.
Leader lead at the consent of those following
Sets goals out of consensus.
Some goals can be dictated in a crisis - but only for a short time, most are by consensus.
Trains others to be leader so the leader can go off and lead others.
Does not do all the work, but empowers others
Listens to differnt points of view, makes final descsions
Keeps differnt points of view around.
Accepts new information
Has final word
Those following the leader accept that final word.
What are my expectations
I expect HHS to do those things for me I can not
Test products, advocate my communities health, do reaserch, be a clearing house for things that do and do not work. certify those things that help me.Promote training and information.
List services and programs that are offered
To be fair and make these services open to everyone (I have doubts on this point)
I do not expect HHS to do those things I can do myself
Regards,
Posted May 28th, 2007 at 11:10 amKobie
Memorial day is a day to remeber those who gave their lives. A moment of silance at 3pm today.
Hi, Michael
Great blog! I so agree with the need for this approach.
Yesterday I posted a similar idea on the Secretary’s blog to address the need for the government to legitimize our volunteer efforts. (post 112). I came up with the name “Citizen Pandemic Preparation Corp” for my idea.
While many of our citizens do not have the necessary training to teach home nursing skills, etc they can also provide training in other areas.
As a teacher, I am good at breaking down science concepts to ability levels. I have also built up my knowledge base on what a pandemic would mean to the average person. Most of us on the flu forums are well versed in all aspects of preparation for a SIP
(shelter in place).
Your concept of enlisting healthcare workers is perfect. I also think an umbrella approach to tap on the skills of non-healthcare workers would only enhance what we are trying to build.
Imagine what we could accomplish even if we were able to sign up a small % of PTA members and school nurses from schools across the country or get the AFL-CIO members on board?
Training and unification of messages would be essential. From a teacher’s perspective that would be curriculum and lesson plans.
I read your own blog and am always so impressed with your point of view. Please keep up the great work you have been doing and thank you!
Posted May 28th, 2007 at 11:32 amHumbly, could you please substitute American and say Human instead? Thanks!
Ok, I know this is a US gov site, and most if not all posters are US citizens, but now you know your readership is global.
And maybe Americans can (and so, if I understand your view, should?) give more, as compared to people in other places where they have less in their hands. I think I get your point.
That said, it’s my belief that it will pay to be as inclusive as we can be. Focused, and also inclusive.
In a pandemic with a time between generations of cases of maybe 3 days and runs for about a year, we may all be less than 100 “flu-infection generations” away from each other, and most will be closer.
Thank you for your leadership and strength, which I gladly acknowledge! Your track record of doing difficult things is impresive.
Posted May 28th, 2007 at 12:29 pmMr. Costen,
Thank you for acknowledging the elephant in the room! You have placed your finger upon the very core of both the problem and the solution to creating public awareness on this issue.
Without the power of the people, the current plans of State and Local governance are paper tigers. Fierce looking and just as powerless.
Only by empowering the citizens can the our governance be themselves be empowered. A populace, prepared on an individual basis to weather a pandemic can provide the human resources to transform these plans from flights of fancy to reality.
But, from what I have seen, the State and Local governments, well meaning though they are, are made up of individuals who, in and of themselves, have no greater ability to help the private citizen than the Federal government.
Being human, and under the microscope of having their words and actions constantly subject to the criticism and scrutiny of the public eye, they are *failing* to bring the appropriate message to the people: when the government says we are on our own, they mean the citizenry themselves.
As such, the HHS message has been co-opted and our State and Local governments have moved into the position of placating caretakers that the Federal government says must be eschewed.
Your proposal supplies the solution. There *many* knowledgeable and informed members of the “flubie” community who, if empowered with an authority that spoke beyond their personal beliefs, would willingly bring the Federal message to their fellow citizens. I believe that they would not only willingly work hand-in-hand with the State and Local government to educate the public, but would also, in such manner, provide a source of feasible volunteers so that the plans, which so well thought out, can actually be fulfilled.
Furthermore, unlike State and Local Officials, by empowering knowledgeable members of the online community to educate their peers, “flubies” have nothing to lose and everything to gain: the survival of not only friends and family, but their communities.
I deeply and sincerely hope that the Federal government, HHS and Sec. Leavitt all give your proposal the attention it deserves.
JD
Posted May 28th, 2007 at 2:04 pmEuropean with Children,
This, being Memorial Day here in the States probably spurred my use of an American Analogy in my piece. It was not intended to be exclusively American, However.
We are interconnected today like never before, and the problems of the world are surely our own, just as solutions must come from all corners of the globe.
As I sit in my office here in Florida, on a daily basis, I talk to friends in the UK, in NZ, and to my brother who lives in Thailand. I have friends across our northern border in Canada, and other’s around the world.
As evidenced by this blog, the internet has brought us together in remarkable ways.
We are all in this together, and we must find solutions together. We cannot save ourselves, and forget other nations. No man, and no nation, can be an island in a global crisis.
Thank you for that gentle reminder.
Posted May 28th, 2007 at 2:17 pmMike … you have absolutely touched on a subject I am empassioned about.
I have given the very presentations that you speak of. I’m short on time, at this moment, but I’m coming back and get ready because I have a LOT to offer and tell you about. I can tell you first hand that a presentation well done, educational and calmly presented will be well received and accepted. People will walk out of that presentation educated and looking for more … ready to prepare their households. It CAN be done. It HAS been done … by myself and a well reknowned doctor from my area!
If this idea is accepted … COUNT ME IN! I’m ready. I’ve been ready for a while and do so want to see something like this implimented!
Posted May 28th, 2007 at 2:33 pmThe need for volunteers to get the word out on how to prepare, when, and what to do is important. A name for the volunteers to legitimize the speaker and give an easy recognizable name to an energetic group of volunteers is PAP : People Always Prepared for emergencies.
PAP folks could be utilized for Preparedness in Pandemics, Earthquakes, Hurricanes, Tornadoes, Floods, Citizens on Patrol, Operation Lifesaver, Scouting, National Guard, etc. There are lots of organizations already in place ready to serve. Lets train PAP individuals unitedly in the preparedness field.
Get PAP background checks, and give them PAP Certifications with accepted dialogue and license them as People Always Prepared, PAP.
When a disaster strikes you have the Reserves, the National Guard, some civil defense teams, and now you’ll have a grassroots home PAP team trained and checked out, ready to serve.
Michael wrote, “Millions of men and women flocked to recruiting stations to enlist, knowing full well they were going in harm’s way.”
The PAP enlistment will be in place, a national call-up will give you the human-power to help in a pandemic, before and after.
Sign me up for PAP.
Posted May 28th, 2007 at 3:44 pmMr.Coston, great post and thanks for all your past (and present)community service.
(Mary Ann, I’m not sure what the word means to younger generations, but I wouldn’t want more “pap” from the government; definitions such as, “easily digestible gruel for infants” come to mind, but…maybe the name doesn’t matter as much as the action would.)
What I currently object to in the call for volunteers officials are trying to amass for Pandemic is that, too often, these wonderful people are not being told that’s what they’re volunteering for, nor that there is no cure and currently high fatality rates in the young and healthy, and, that deaths from all other causes including lack of regular medical care and interrupted imports will be happening during Pandemic Year. These volunteers are not stocked up at home, and as far as I know, my town and my county and my state have bought no personal protective equipment nor antivirals for them, no palliative meds for those that will be triaged as “expected to die”, nor any essential supplies; if they had, would they not tell the public?
A drill to hand out vaccine is not pandemic readiness. Though my local public health should know better, “push packs” and “the SNS” were too easily mentioned, the time or two very small groups have heard anything at all.
Quoting Michael Coston:
Posted May 28th, 2007 at 6:34 pm“The government, despite their best efforts, cannot fight a pandemic alone.
They will need our help.
But for that to happen, they must be willing to enable our participation.”
Michael, absolutely right on! You are the Thomas Paine of the Pandemic Flu community, issuing a call to arms. Call up the flubie militia! Let us serve!
Posted May 28th, 2007 at 6:44 pmMike:
As everyone has stated, you have touched on the problem and the solution of the country, at times I don’t trust the government, mainly because I feel they’re not doing enough to get into touch with the community, I feel that maybe if they did get into touch with the community and be open and honest on what could happen, then it would help me feel more at ease, at that time it would feel like the government does care about the community, but if they just do whisperings here and there and consider it a warning, does the government actually care about the community? In my most honest opinion, no they don’t. As you know I am a Canadian, and our government has shut down hospitals, cut back on nurses and doctors, they even cut back on school activities and the teachers don’t care about the students anymore, theres a couple that will but not the majority of them. Does the government care about Society over trying to save money? At this point all I can say is no they don’t. If they did, then nothing that I have stated above would’ve been affected if the government did care. Heres where in lies my distrust for the government. My dad worked at a hospital that they had closed down, he was lucky to have been taken on by another hospital, so he had another job to lean on, but others didn’t. It’s all about money these days and not about the concerns of the community.
If the government can get into touch with the community and ask for volunteers to help warn people about a possible outbreak in the near future, I’m all for it. I’m scared to death of speaking in front of people, but if I know a subject well I can get right into it easily over coming my fear. I would love to see the community begin to pull back together like I’ve always heard about. If the government can help create a ripple effect, the volunteers will help continue that effect until the rings continue to get wider and the word will continue to spread.
Posted May 28th, 2007 at 7:45 pmMr. Coston:
Count me in! I realize that our government can not possibly prepare our citizens alone! The task is too large. The government will need to enlist the help of citizens to go out into our communities and educate as many people as possible.
We all have a vested interest in making this work!! If our communities are prepared, there will be fewer riots and hopefully many shared resources.
I sincerely hope that our government will review and implement your proposal
Posted May 28th, 2007 at 8:36 pmExceptionally well said, as usual.
1. Without adequate warning,no population can fully mobilize to face a potential enemy. Any enemy. All governments should consider making panflu educational announcements, perhaps around the same time.
2. Particularlly in America, the overwhelming “welfare” or “entitled” mentality has got to go! I’m not talking about people who receive any particular social entitlement program, but the mentality that ’someone will/must take care of me’ that has seeped into the entire populace.
We have hamstrung ourselves by thinking that ’someone’ has to do XXX for us. Not even Hurricane Katrina seems to awakened the masses. It’s time to wake up,USA, and smell the coffee. Our democracy will not survive if we wait for others to do it, our lives and that of our children are forfeit if we wait for ’someone’ to rescue us from every emergency. I can see it in this blog-who will provide PPE’s for the HCW’s? I carry a N95 mask and gloves in my purse, have KI tabs at home as well as other supplies. Perhaps it won’t be enough, but I’ll be darned if I’m willing to bet the lives of my kids and grandchildren waiting for ’someone’ to rescue us.
I do not consider myself an extremist/survivalist in this matter-just being very realistic about where we are in the world in 2007.
Posted May 28th, 2007 at 8:39 pmIt is interesting that you bring up WWII. When the pandemic comes, the Secretary will declare a national health emergency. The full force of ESF8 by HHS and the NRP will be brought to bear. What does that mean exactly? How much autonomy will local HC entities really have? The overall coordination of healthcare response should come from HHS/ASPR, USPHS, the DMATs and the MRC. As long as everyone has some kind of plan, adjustments can be made to bring some continunity in order to maximize efficiency. In an environment of scarce resources and personnel, this will be of paramount importance. I have already begun to make LMTPs, (last minute training packets) to distribute to my colleagues and peers. Even HCWs will need this kind of prompting. Civil Defense workers would knock on your door, present you with a pair of binoculars and say “come with me, I’ll show you what to do”.
Posted May 28th, 2007 at 9:34 pmHi,
Why not resurrect something like Civil Defense or add pandemic to another group? CERT is one example, yet they are for emergency response. We are trying to act *before* the emergency - not just after.
Aren’t we trying to figure out what will be needed, assemble the people and then test it?
Kobie
Posted May 29th, 2007 at 8:35 amAn ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Mike, I like the way you think. It’s a bold initiative you’re putting forth. Some may say it’s idealistic. Perhaps so, but just because it may be idealistic doesn’t mean it can’t be done. It is also noteworthy that your proposal is coming from a person experienced in trying to get the message out, and from someone who has already had all the ‘Pixie Dust’ knocked off their shoulders.
Still, if I could offer one amendment to your idea. Even with, say, a letter from the Secretary, we would still be essentially ‘cold calling’. Perhaps, if the Secretary sent a letter directly to the EMS manager for a county or other municipality notifying them they were going to be contacted by his representative (that would be you or I) in advance, it would open the door just a wee bit wider.
There is another dynamic I like about your proposal. Suppose someone in local government was informed, perhaps by a media article, that someone was going around giving pandemic ‘prep talks’ in their domain at the behest of the Secretary. Would they be goaded into getting in front of the parade?
Posted May 29th, 2007 at 8:55 amThe mechanism for volunteering, background checks and training already exists.
According to the Citizen Corps website, 75% of the country is already covered by a Citizen Corps program.
“Currently there are:
2,196 Councils which serve
214,277,308 people or
75 % of the total U.S. population”
www.citizencorps.gov…
Their programs are described here:
www.citizencorps.gov…
Let’s get busy funding, training and educating within that existing framework that already lends “official” backing.
Posted May 29th, 2007 at 9:58 amDistribute any last-minute training items now; while supply chains are fine, and no one is infectious with panflu before symptoms. (What is going on in China right now, in Indonesia, or the UK, or Africa? We don’t really know. Not even in the US; what is going on with the “atypical” US pediatric deaths from “flu” - where are the sequences?)
The public would see this is a serious threat. Get adjustment reactions over with now. (Avoid the rush!)
No one wants a knock on their door and get taken away involuntarily during a killer flu. Health care workers and MRC have family responsibilities; they aren’t monks and nuns.
Last-minute “adjustments” cannot be made to “wing-it”: through the scope and timeline of pandemic. “Plans on paper” are useless without supplies and willing, protected, people who have had full and fair disclosure prior, and, have been able to put their affairs in order, and know their families will be safe and provided for even when supplies chains and the grid fail.
Officials have had plenty of warning; no good ignoring it, because they didn’t want to spend the money this quarter, nor ask the public for funding and have to explain what a pandemic really is to get them to want to do it, (then, the tough questions start- well, they will need answers anyway, during and after pandemic) and then, after a State of Emergency is announced, saying things “have to be done” with as little as we had ready two years ago because the situation is so dire, and officials “had no idea it would be so bad”!? That won’t wash.
Won’t have good outcomes for society either; “JIT” pandemic educations and response. Dr.Osterholm testified “why not” to Congress, quite some time ago.
Local health care has not used the autonomy they had (or, they used it to obfuscate the issue, I guess); why does the public, nor front-line hcw, not know what’s on the pandemicflu.gov site? When I ask, they have not even heard of it, when authorities have had since Oct.2005 to get the word out on that?
How many official mailings or articles or events have passed since then, with nothing said about; Pandemic Influenza Year may start at any time,
and HHS Sec. Leavitt said,(in MN anyway) “Any state, any community, or for that matter any citizen that failed to prepare — assuming that the federal government could take care of them during a pandemic — would be tragically wrong,”
(And no; not preparing will not “make Washington take more responsibility”, State legislature and local “leaders”.)
Even now, they do not want to warn the public and use this (what Dr.Nabarro -bless him!- of the UN, last year considered “God-given”) time; changing habits and learning new ones, and, affording to keep enough supplies on hand, takes time!
This is too big, and, lasts too long, for top-down channels to handle it;
the more local response-ability can be kept, the better.
If the “new normal” is better preparedness, and, more thought about where our food and supplies come from, (and maybe more local sourcing!) we will have
improved Homeland Security.
If the public knows more about infections control and first aid and how to use all their community groups talking together to address local needs, the US will have
improved Homeland Security.
(So will any other nation that does this.)
Better a year too early, than a day too late; the virus is in too many places now that cannot or will not warn us, once pandemic breaks out.
Posted May 29th, 2007 at 10:36 am(I am not trying to be irreverant or disrespectful in my personal approach to these blogs. But,after being on forums for so long…)
Michael,
Ok, so I have begun the “Volunteer Pandemic Corps” without you :P.
I am not calling it that (until I have permission ;)) but the principals are already ingrained in me. I don’t have the training but I can’t wait for the validation, credentialing or someone to tell me what is needed in my town. I have gotten back in touch with the board of health and revolunteered my services. Low and behold I may have had an impact already with my emails and meetings already attended. I am sure that I can be the pandemic preparedness coordinator for the town. (the thought makes me shiver)
At this point, with a town meeting approaching, having credentials and validation would certainly unplug some ears around here.
John Kennedy told us, “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country”. I feel as though I asked what I could do and I have been led to this point. Your response, in between the lines, is that citizens coming forward in towns and cities is what is needed.
How can you help me to help you?(printed information, credentials, validation, etc.)
~Jackie (Standingfirm)
Posted May 29th, 2007 at 12:17 pm—————–
Even though I am a non-medical person, I adhere to the “Above all, do no harm” philosophy.
Average Firefighter,
I’ve no problem using existing resources, but so far, I don’t see them taking the lead in pandemic preparedness.
Late last year I called around to a number of local agencies, asking about pandemic preparedness in my area. “What pandemic?” was the usual response. Sigh.
I left my name, and number, and told them I was available to volunteer. I didn’t receive any callbacks.
I’m sure, in some areas, some agencies may be more proactive. I hope so.
If CERT, or Citizens Corps, or the Red Cross, or any other organization wants to take the lead here, I’m all for it.
But I think, if they don’t avail themselves of the combined knowledge and passion of the flubie community, they will be overlooking a great resource.
Posted May 29th, 2007 at 12:30 pmWell said Mike
Posted May 29th, 2007 at 12:58 pmI only wish more people were aware of this effort and web site. I have seen no advertising in local media to guide the general public to this site. Most of the contributions are from people already on board. This is good but not good enough. We need to reach more people. I hope your impassioned plea will be heard.
I want to say that I really think it is important to engage the general public and get them involved in the community education process.
With that said, I foresee a couple of problems/issues. The first has to do with a potential for a “turf war” regarding who is going to teach the public and who would be seen as the “most credible” to provide this information. In the past (and currently for that matter), TPTB (focusing on the state and local levels) have had total control over the message, how and when it would be delivered, to whom, and they hand select which “partners” they will work with to provide these messages to their audiences. I have a feeling that they may not accept people/organizations as “credible” if they were not hand-picked by them first and do not have complete control over what is provided to the public. I currently work for a private public health organization and I have seen this happen both now and when I was a state public health employee. Before private citizens/organizations begin to educate the public, we will need to make sure that they are viewed as a partner and not as competition by TPTB (especially if there is any funding involved - for materials, etc).
The second problem has to do with the “all hazards” message. How you would prepare for a pandemic is much different than how you would prepare for a flood, fire, earthquake, etc. Right now, people show up at shelters for hurricanes with no formula or diapers for their children even though they have had several days to prepare. They think they will be taken care of by others, so why bother? The government, Red Cross, churches, other non-profit organizations will come in and give them what they need (they have in the past). Katrina was the only recent example where this did not work well (being taken care of quickly by others).
If the reason for the preparation is for a pandemic, then we need to say that. You could mention that it would also help in other situations, but IMHO, an all hazard preparation should not be the focus. The message needs to be clear that the preparation education is for pandemic preparation because the steps the public would need to take are different.
Posted May 29th, 2007 at 2:16 pmSniffles,
The `All Threats’ aspect I would attach to pandemic-specific preparations (which, indeed, rises to a different level) is that if you are prepared for a pandemic, you are already prepared for an earthquake, tornado, or hurricane. I believe the focus should be on a pandemic threat, but can encompass other threats, as well.
While there may be some inter-agency disputes over who provides the message (and the content), we need to find ways to get past that, and get the job done.
Personally, it doesn’t matter to me how the message gets out, only that it happens, and it’s realistic.
There is certainly no one solution that will fit all localities. We need to find a variety of ways to get the job done.
Posted May 29th, 2007 at 3:30 pmStandingFirm,
First, congratulations on being proactive in your community. You are doing the right thing, no matter how difficult it may seem at times. I’m sure your town will greatly appreciate your efforts.
The name Volunteer Pandemic Corps is, as far as I know, available.
If you like it, go for it!
I’ll know better what we can do for each other when this summit is over. Hopefully we will see some initiatives arise that will empower all of us.
In the meantime, it sounds like you are on the right path.
Posted May 29th, 2007 at 3:38 pmIn my city of around 16 thousand, I have a bit of security in the knowledge that my community Services (police, fire, City council, ect…) are addressing the issue of PI and holding drills that include volunteers. I know this because I have the oppertunity to speak with The Luitenint of police, and the fire cheif. I asked both of them what was happening in the aspect of Pandemic Preparedness for our city, our community, and they both told me they were in need of volunteers. I gave the police Luitenint my phone number and told him to call if he needed me. He said he would… I will be ready when he calls.
Posted May 29th, 2007 at 5:43 pmThis was just a small step on my part to help my small, but not well informed community.
Holliegh,
You are way ahead of my city of 100k+. So far the police and fire say nothing. The Emergency folks say it is a “Public health issue.”
My bank, hair cutter, doctor, pediatrician and grocery store are interested but not my pharmacist.
We have had one drill of handing out antibiotics. Yep it was the first time for many of them. No one spoke sign.
Good luck and practice, practice, practice.
Kobie
Posted May 29th, 2007 at 5:58 pmHello Michael Coston,
Posted May 29th, 2007 at 6:02 pmAs usual I am humbled by your inspirational posts and clear-minded thinking. You can count me in. I would love to be enlisted in your civilian army of volunteers to educate and inform the general public on the importance of preparing for pandemic influenza. I have attended meetings and set up my own meetings with my local Red Cross on panflu and would be happy to work with them again or any other appointed body that would be the vehicle used to inform and educate the public on the importance of preparedness. Last August ‘06 I was sorely disappointed in what I felt was a watered-down message the Red Cross was getting out at the time however when I had the same representative come speak to a group I convened in Dec ‘06, the message had changed significantly and I was very impressed with the newer presentation. I think the Red Cross could be a very good ally in the education process on panflu. Kudos to you Michael on all that you do in the effort to save lives. You are an outstanding citizen and humanitarian.
Michael, Your message is awesome, we the people can help, we van make a difference.
The biggest challenge I and my peers will face in mobilizing those that I will have influence with will be
A consistent, realistic message of the hardships that will be faced by all citizens. We need validation from not only Federal government but also local government. The message needs to be clear, concise and frequent.
What are my community concerns?
That there will be panic, confusion and fear after the pandemic starts because no one was prepared. That neighbor will turn upon neighbor instead of helping one another in the fight to keep their children safe from harm. That there will be no trust, no faith in which to rebuild in; each other and our government. That thousands and thousands will die needlessly from starvation, lack of medicine…, to be emotionally unprepared to deal with the consequences, to be blind sided, taking unnecessary risks and exposing themselves and others to danger.
What do I need from the Department of Health and Human Services - or others - to be able to make a contribution?
Truth. Open disclosure. Facts. Communication. Effort. Never give up attitude. Concern about the humanity, Tears shed for those we will lose no matter what we do.
Have I faced other challenges in mobilizing my community from which there are lessons learned?
Once upon a time long, long ago, there was this park that was becoming a war zone in the middle of the city, abandoned by the government, over grown and vandalized. A small group of people in the surrounding neighborhoods joined together to make a difference.
First a local Service group adopted the park, the park was cleaned up, the initial media attention helped but eventually attention waned, the people who began the project had exciting plans but were unable to carry them through because of unrealistic goals and I suspect they wanted the glory, the press and prestige without the work and were unwilling to adjust their expectations down to the mundane reality of what was really possible.
Along came a volunteer. Me. I started small and asked for help from the people, the neighbors, the local businesses. The board of this not for profit told me that they tried and no one wanted to help.
Well they helped. I told them my plans, I asked for their input, what visions did they have for the park themselves and what were they willing to do from small ideas to grand ideas to make this come about.
Some gave money, others had great ideas, quite a few put their time and talents to work. Everyone I asked even the most negative of people gave something.
I had three different very competitive neighborhood groups joining forces to help. I had other non-profits helping with large city wide events, heck even the city became involved when once they had written it off because they saw positive action taking place.
I did the marketing myself, I went door to door, I sent out faxes, emails, got the local media involved. I asked a local business to donate the cost of the flyers, printing cost and they did-they also received credit for it. I went to local grocery stores and asked them to provide food and drinks-they did and received credit for it. Radio and TV stations made announcements. I asked different service agencies to provide the time, supplies to underprivileged kids and they did and received credit for it. Schools, Universities , banks…all helped. Just about every organization, business and individual I asked to help DID.
This little volunteer project started out as planting a few flowers to beautify a park in a tough neighborhood to putting on city wide events that helped thousands of at risk children, the same ones that had been destroying the park were now actively participating in its care and receiving information on how to help themselves, their families and neighborhoods.
I put forth effort and listened to the people and the people saw it and they put forth effort. And there was success.
At this time in my life I was newly divorced mother of two small children, alone and insecure living below the poverty guidelines. If one person can galvanize and make a difference in the lives of thousands of people, empowering these same individuals to make a difference on something that was minor compared to a pandemic. Don’t you think that if these same people were given the opportunity to save not only their own lives but to help the entire community plan and survive a world wide disaster they would?
Lesson learned. Empower the people to take care of themselves. They just need an ear, a focus and consistent reminder that they are ultimely responsible for their reality.
What is an appropriate role for me as it relates to this issue?
What am I willing and able to do?
To help spread the message. To help people to begin the process of understanding what they will need to do, once they have an understanding they will be able to continue preparations on their own. I’ll go and give speeches. I’ll pass out info. I’ll talk to neighborhood groups…but first I need validation.
Posted May 29th, 2007 at 10:40 pmOke, Mike … as you know from my posts on Plan4Pandemic & PandemicFluInformation, I have been passionate about getting the word out within my community, for some time now.
I have been in constant communication with my own County Emergency Director, here in my Pennsylvania community. I have also made contact with a noted Doctor of Virology and we have since teamed up to give local community presentations to whoever is interested. This idea of yours is VERY DOABLE and can be very effective and productive.
What I have done, is developed an informative presentation and series of communications that are dubbed ‘CAP’ — Community Awareness and Preparation. (This ‘CAP’ can also be applied to any of the ‘All Hazards’ that can occur, as mentioned in another post, above.) I have since given the very community presentation that you are suggesting. This is what I did:
I borrowed a hall from my local church.
I printed and distributed invitations to friends, neighbors, local politicians & media.
Coordinated the meeting to also include presentations from: A Doctor of Virology from a prominent hospital in our area (explained the medical/scientific piece), our County Emergency Preparedness Director (to bring the audience up to date on County Pan Flu Plans, our Local Red Cross Emergency Manager (to bring the audience up to speed on the Local ARC Pan Flu Plans) and myself to present Emergency Home Preparation ideas.
This presentation included video slide show (via the good doctor), a Red Cross ‘Are You Prepared?’ movie/video and a big display table with 2 posters. One poster was photos of ‘Emergency Pantries’ and the other poster was for Personal Protection Equipment (including sample items of the various N95masks, gloves, head coverings). The table included items for: Alternate Communications, Alternate Cooking, Alternate Sanitation, Medical Supplies, Medical Flu Supplies, Alternate Electric Items, Alternate Light Display, Cleaning Supplies and ONE DAY’s worth of empty water jugs (so folks could SEE what a day’s worth of water for a family of 4 looks like) – oh, and a home-made two-bucket Berkey Water filter system. You should have seen the attention that display table got and heard the questions generated at the Personal Protection poster!
People listened closely. People asked questions. GOOD questions. They wanted to know. They left interested and NOT PANICKED! We had a representative from our local Senator’s office there (taking MANY notes!), and a State Representative there (who asked LOTS of questions and now has my EmergencyHomePrepara… site on his website!)
We also found a great idea for a ‘marketing tool’ to get the word out: PanFlu Buckets! I think I mentioned it somewhere else on here … 5 Gal. food grade buckets were filled with handouts We had sample items (mask,gloves,clorox product, ORS solution) with corresponding flier. Why sample items? Because folks will toss out the printed material quickly. By having something tangible in their hands, they took the time to look the items over and read the information attached to it. Then we also had other printed info regarding the Effect of No Trucking Industry, Sick Rooms, Red Cross PanFLu treatment for Family members, FEMA ‘Are You Ready’ Book, and misc. pamphlets from Red Cross & FEMA. I HIGHLY recommend the bucket idea as a way to get the word out. Some folks took more than one for friends and family!
We even had enough buckets to make up 7 sets of the two-bucket-Berkey Water Filtration systems- (One on top of another) They were complete w/ printed instructions for making the Homemade Two-Bucket filtration system. (We had a completed one on display) All they have to do is buy their Berkey Black Filter and water spout. All 7 were gone at the end of the evening!
I have since followed through with all who attended by sending out weekly ‘TipLetters’ Each week is a different topic (related to the Display Table that was set up). The goal of the TipLetters is to keep in communication w/ the folks who attended. So that they don’t walk out of the meeting and that’s the end. The TipLetters keep the notion of PanFlu in their minds. Keeps them on a gradual course of Preparation by focusing on a new topic each week. Helps to keep them from becoming overwhelmed.
TipLetter 1: General Information (Recap on what Avian Flu is, websites for further info)
TipLetter 2: Water (how much water to have on hand, water storage, water purification, alternate water sources in home/community, website links for further information)
TipLetter 3: Food & Food Storage (Brief time line of Disruption of food via trucking Industry breakdown, How much for pan flu storage, List of Emergency pantry Items, Food Storage Info, Web links for further information)
TipLetter 4: Medical (Personal Prescriptions request reminder, Home Care of family member w/ flu, List of OTC product so have on hand for flu patient, List for ‘Sick Room’ Supplies, links to websites for further info). ….
And I’ll continue till all areas are covered over the next several weeks.
All TipLetters are brief, to the point, one page/both sides to keep it informative in a tight format.
All I can say is that it is working. From holding this meeting, distributing the buckets w/ handouts & samples … I figure there are about 7 families in my neighborhood alone that are NOW PREPARING!!! That is success … without panic!
So, yes … Mike/FM .. it CAN be done. I know. I did it. On a ‘grass-roots’, local level. Just like you are advocating here.
BTW: photos of the display can be seen at PlanforPandemic: tinyurl.com/2yxrr9 (page 1)
Posted May 29th, 2007 at 10:51 pmDear Mr. Coston:
This proposal is so important in many ways. Thank you for your time and effort.
Michael Leavitt has said it so many times…The Government will not be there to help. He knows it, we know it. It’s impossible to be everywhere when a disaster occurs, so I pray he will give this the attention it so desperately needs.
The Government has failed to educate on a smaller local level and I would think it’s apparent they need some help.
Giving us the information they would want us to relay, along with our background on this matter and the Government standing behind us, I believe we could make huge contributions to getting the word out.
For every one person we educate, that is one less desperate person looking for water, food, medication, and protection from the elements. I’m hoping we will create a domino effect. One person educates the next or at the very least sends them in our direct to be educated. It’s important to make contingency plans now for Children that no longer can be cared for and the Elderly that need to be check on. Shelters should be designated now for people living alone needing medical attention. The list goes on.
Brochures should be handed our with the government sites for planning and preparation and send them with a list of credible flu sites such as Plan for Pandemic for support and even more detail preparation plans. There they will be welcome and all their questions will be answered.
We are all working on the same side…It’s time we put our efforts together before it’s to late.
Your blog is inspiriting. I’ll be honored to help…
Posted May 30th, 2007 at 10:59 amMay I reccomend checking to see if you have a local Medical Reserve Corps? There are 667 of them across the US (representing over 120,000 local volunteers), and many of them are working on exactly the kind of pandemic flu planning, preparedness and public information you describe. Don’t let the name fool you, they aren’t limited to recruiting medical professionals, many recruit at least half of their volunteers from outside the medical and public health communities.
Check out the guidance for MRC units on pandemicflu.gov: www.medicalreserveco…
Posted May 30th, 2007 at 11:34 amRichard…. What is a LMTP? Last minute training packet…. is it a brochure? Supplies? Can you share a “copy?”
Posted May 30th, 2007 at 12:25 pmI just got off the phone with my County Emergency Preparedness Director. I am wondering, (even though I know first hand that a Community Awareness presentationcan be accomplished successfully), how many communities will VOLUNTARILY do this?
My own Director participated in my personal presentation for friends & neighbors (See Above, #30),he saw the success. But that is as far as he is willing to go, for now. He will not go further in public awareness due to the fear of NOT having answers to questions regarding the other piece: County Wide Plans for the Infastructure - because that is so huges it’s a continual work in progress.
So, because of that — we’re getting NO Community Awareness & Preparation happening! NONE! Even though he has the very thing at his disposal that Mike is suggesting via a voluntary team of citizens ready to go out and present.
Why? It’s a choice. If this is done it NO LONGER CAN BE A CHOICE! It has be to be a ‘MUST DO’ in every community. Regardless of what the local officals are personally thinking.
Did I mention that I’m frustrated, this morning? Very, Very Frustrated.
Posted May 30th, 2007 at 12:34 pmWhere are the business leaders in this discussion? Most large companies are making their own plans and filing them away. Businesses will not devote the resources to do more integrated planning until the crisis is upon us (human-to-human transmission), unless other triggers can be identified and deployed. What are the marketplace pressure points? Insurance companies that require preparedness actions for lower premiums or coverage? Contractors who require subcontractors to develop plans and conduct exercises to qualify for bidding, e.g.federal contracts? Social responsibility funds making it a requirement for investment?
What will cause preparedness to be embraced as a competitive business advantage?
And what is the Department of Homeland Security doing to encourage critical infrastruture businesses to prepare? There should be progress reports so we all know where we stand on the preparedness continuum. Are national security issues a barrier to such disclosure?
Posted May 30th, 2007 at 3:41 pmHere’s a great example of a community pandemic awareness & planning activity:
redcross.tallytown.c…
Posted May 30th, 2007 at 4:06 pmok, I have an idea. Its called “Prep this Town”. A television show involving flubies who prep a town. This program is broadcast during prime time. It demonstrates HOW to prep a town and family. Lets use tv to our health and edification!
Posted May 30th, 2007 at 4:17 pmAnd this is a bad example
www.desmoines-redcro…
I could give you many more bad examples from Des Moines, IA when it concerns preparedness.
Posted May 30th, 2007 at 5:28 pmTeresa:
The LMTP is distributed just before TLTL (too little, too late). A joke, but a serious one. I am working on JIT training that includes manuals and wallet card, type instructions for providing upper tier care, (critical care and supportive care) for respiratory illness. It is not for lay people or even health care extenders, like Project Extreme describes. It is for HCW who provide this type of care every day in acute care and ICU environments.
The best description I have is from M.A.S.H.. It’s like “meatball” surgery. Quick and fast, just the facts, less is more care.
The upside is that we will know what we are dealing with. Other than a differential diagnosis for other ILIs, we will know where to begin, and hopefully, know what works. Invest in stethoscopes and portable pulse-oximeters. CXRs, ABGs and invasive/lab tests will be a luxury. Basic care: Fluids, O2, antivirals, if available; antimicrobial for secondary infections, if necessary; bronchodilators if absolutely necessary, (unnecessary aerosol therapy will be a no-no). Then the rationing of intensive care.
I’m preparing to educate and train a group(s) to be pandemic ready in 72 hours or less.
Posted May 30th, 2007 at 6:18 pmThanks, again, to all of you for your great ideas and links. I know my community is working on plans, but right now that’s all they are doing. Police, schools, county, city are making plans,a noble and coordinated effort, but other than one or two town hall meetings, the general population is ignorant. EACH family/individual needs to be working right now,preparing themselves, but that thought is not out there. How much time do we have??? Planning meetings just won’t cut it. I think that everyone on this forum (flubies)needs to E-mail, write, phone,talk to at least ten people they know, give them the basic facts, maybe a link to pandemicflu.gov or a preparation hand-out and tell them to tell at least 10 people they know. A chain letter event, so to speak. If you are not a public speaker, you only have to talk to the people you know, which eliminates the need for “credentials”. We are in the information age: you don’t have to know it all, just know how to access the information. I will personally make a commitment to communicate with 10 people by Friday. Maybe I’ll even give them a scratch off lottery ticket and make a comparison of the odds.
Posted May 30th, 2007 at 6:37 pmI think I will also hold a “Make and Take” Prep Party, something along the lines of a direct marketing business, so people will actually take a step forward….Just brainstorming here; but bottom-line, the average Joe needs to get the information and ACT ON IT! Thanks for the links for information you have all provided!
[…] Michael Coston, retired medic and founder of the Avian Flu Diary shares his thoughts on our roles, as ordinary citizens, in preparing for a pandemic. He begins with a history lesson from World War II when America was mobilized as a nation. […]
Posted May 31st, 2007 at 11:36 amMichael - thanks for sharing practical ideas of how we can all get involved. It will take coordination and organization to be prepared in the manner that you describe. Those that are already on the front lines helping people in need - nonprofit organization staff and volunteers - will be called on to continue to provide support. How can we fulfill our role as responders in time of need when our financial and staff resources, already so thin, will be impacted by the pandemic as well? Critical questions that must be addressed sooner rather than later.
Posted May 31st, 2007 at 5:25 pmMichael: Wonderful ideas. It reminds me of a saying I heard not long ago:
Another benefit of citizen engagement on the levels you suggest is building the wind - the political support for greater and more meaningful government action to coordinate and facilitate pandemic preparation/protection.
More leaders would raise their sails if they thought the wind was with them.
Posted May 31st, 2007 at 10:12 pmWhile avian flu preparedness has been emphasized at the government and business sectors, recent talk of community and grassroots involvement are gaining interest but largely lagging. Mr. Coston in his post “The Stuff That Solutions Are Made Of” made some excellent points regarding the community’s crucial role in pandemic planning and the need for the development of a government sanctioned Volunteer Pandemic Corps. Education is an important component of pandemic preparedness, but I firmly believe in the old adage that Actions Speak Louder than Words.
Despite multiple attempts at teaching the public about the worries surrounding pandemic influenza and steps we must take to prepare, widespread public preparedness remains minimal at best. Our current attempts at community education have been through state and county public health, public lecture series, and the internet (e.g. websites and blogs). I am not criticizing these efforts, but I am simply pointing out that those who actually utilize these informational outlets are already concerned citizens and/or the so-named “flubies.” How do we reach those who are disinterested or misinformed? And more importantly, once we have their attention-what can we show them? How can we help them to prepare?
I cannot count the numerous lectures, seminars, and Webinars I’ve attended where the speaker continues on a litany of problems but when asked for solutions suavely skirt a response. Communities require more than a checklist to follow or a suit and tie lecturer with a personality to succeed. They need motivation and they need to feel empowered. These features can only be gained by financial and resource support and a dynamic team of problem-solvers who will lead by example and continue the fight. Whether to call this team a “Volunteer Pandemic Corps” or a Neighborhood Emergency Preparedness Network, the mission should be to meet individuals in person and instruct them on how to create a stockpile, for example, by walking them through the steps. One model to utilize would be community education courses where the instructors provide the supplies ahead of time and classes meet weekly until their product is complete. Classmates may work on their product outside of class but eventually have to show results by the next class time or face embarrassment–a great motivator!
Posted June 8th, 2007 at 12:22 amI would be happy to find ways to help, whether it is spreading the word about being prepared or doing jobs during an outbreak. I would have to understand the risks and trade-off, of course.
Off to start on my own preparedness…
Posted June 21st, 2007 at 9:39 pm