Forum: Pandemic Flu Awareness Week IV

new thread… previous at Pandemic Flu Awareness Week III

…and thanks again.

Forum.OutlineSummary created. I intend to work on it during the week end.

Please edit the outline or comment on that thread.

Thanks!

It looks like it’s the press release that needs a final push, is it?

And we were also thinking about what were the main 5–10 wikipages we’d like to highlight, in order to help people focus on translating, printing-out, linking to, etc. A kind of “read these first” list. There was a summary in earlier parts of this thread, but I feel we need to be very specific: which pages, exactly?

5, 4, 3, 2 …

Stop! :) And a one paragraph summary of the main idea has been suggested in one of the threads - something like “we should worry less about bird flu and much more about pandemic flu”?. What’s the catch-phrase? A quick brainstorm here? Stand on one leg and think fast: what’s the key message?

And there’s a last paragraph in the press release that doesn’t fit well, or does it?

great job lugon! My only suggestion would be to tone down the last bit about Fluwiki - it sounds a bit self serving and that we’re only trying to generate traffic to the site. Keeping it more broad and informative with multiple resources builds credibility.

Let us know when it’s done - I’m going to send copies of that plus info I had sent already to others to our local papers. By making it an “official week” it would tie in nicely together and might actually get some coverage.

I’m not in charge of the press release! I was just pointing out that if we want it ready by some definite date, then it still needs some polish.

Dem, I really like the Tour One page and lugons outline as well. We can link to both.

We certainly have a broad range of information on this site.

Kudos to all of you that have worked so hard to get this project off the ground and running!

I’ve finally gotten the attention of our local town government. (nag, nag, nag…)

After beating him about the head and shoulders, I got him to “suggest” that I do a Public Service announcement about PFAW for the local paper. Of course, said I. “Delighted,” said I, cc-ing the editor of the Fauquier Citizen.

I spoke with the editor this AM and he not only agreed to running a feature and sidebars on PFAW, but to run an article each week if I send it in.

And the Library is onboard to set up a major display in the lobby, with featured books and flyers and whatever other handouts I can scare up.

How close are we to the final press release?

That will be the core of my first newspaper article and I plan to send it to our 4 other contiguous counties, probably in Ltr to the Editor format so they almost HAVE to print it. Im also hoping to get some of the info translated into Spanish and put into a flyer.

Is anyone in touch with the Washington Post on this?

Saddle Tramp, this is wonderful! Please share your articles with us if you can. I hope everyone will get involved as you are.

I’ve been visiting a few grocery stores in the area find out if they will set up a display for PFAW. I promised to drop off some ribbons, cards and some written information. I found better cooperation with the smaller store. The big ones told me they will not have enough time to get it approved but will consider doing it later.

I love your library idea, creative thinking at its best. : )

Thanks, ST.

Now, what about the press release? Time is running out. I need to get it to the newspapers to RUN THE WEEK BEFORE the 9th as a heads-up, with something coming out the week of the 9th as well. Which means that they need to get it NOW.

Most small weeklies come out on Wednesdays or Thursdays, with deadlines on the Monday or Tuesday of that same week.

If I dont have something by tomorrow night, I will have to wing it and email something on Sunday to meet the deadlines.

We can create translations so translators will translate.

Let me translate the above:

We can create a fresh page for each language: one called es-PFAW2006, another fr-PFAW2006, etc - initially with English-language content. Then it’s a matter of clicking on “edit” and translating the content into the target language. Each of those “sister pages” can have links to the other sisters and to the English page.

But it’s better that we finish and “close” the original page in English. Please.

So, SaddleTramp needs it in 24 hours, and then it’s translation time over the weekend. Ok?

Lauralou, can you help finish this up? I really like what you have on the press release now.

At the bottom of the press release where you wrote “The following links…”

Is there a way to add the links for the PFAW page and The Red Ribbon Pandemic Awareness Campaign (link at the top of this page, Dem put it up yesterday and it is a link to pm wiki. I didn’t know if the url addresses would be too long. what do you think?

Also please read Saddle Tramps request above at 10:42. Thanks : )ST

I think the PFAW page is basically done. I have removed unneeded links and the “under contruction” designation.

ST- I don’t see where on the press release you want the links… can you point me to a paragraph? sorry- (I’m quite tired, my dear neighbor is in the hospital with double pneumonia this week. She’s 101.)

I think that we should make a link on Dem’s Red Ribbon page for the card download. Can we do that? Instead of linking people to the forum thread?

I’ve been thinking about the “core message” for the awareness week.

I think it’s “prepare”, yes. But Why prepare? Because there will be pandemic flu. So What is pandemic flu? It’s something different from common flu and also from bird flu. Maybe we should worry less about bird flu and more about pandemic flu? Why worry about pandemic flu? Just because it will come here? Nope. Because of deaths, disease, and disruption. What to do about all of that? Prepare!

So the sequence is: Bird flu - Pandemic flu - Consequences - Prepare!

That might make the link. Take people from what they know, or what they think they know, to what we’re suggesting and why.

What was your “inner journey” like?

A ha! I saw the spot, but Dem beat me getting the link in. LOL It is there now in the list at the bottom of the press release.

Lauralou - I just need the text, pretty much in any format, any order. I just want to be sure that I include all the talking points you want covered. I’ll probably have to rework the layout anyway to meet my space restrictions.

I can do a separate sidebar on links. Dont kill yourself doing this - I’m sure we’re going to need you to do other stuff!

Thanks! You guys are awesome.

What I’m getting at, I think, is What would be our core message? The elevator speech?

Bird flu means pandemic risk. A pandemic could start at any time and be all over the world in no time. Many people would be ill, a number would die, and there would be disruption for all. We need to prepare for all of that now that there’s no pandemic, because there will be no time to prepare when the pandemic comes.

Shorter still?

If we get to write something shorter, that might be the opening sentence of the press release. Or not.

Bird flu means pandemic risk. A pandemic could start at any time and be all over the world in no time. Many people would be ill, a number would die, and we might run short of basic things like food, water and other supplies. We need to prepare for all of that now that there’s no pandemic, because there will be no time to prepare when the pandemic comes.

The Header I intend to use is

Don’t Be Scared - Be Prepared

which I know is plagerizing from someone, but I don’t care.

“We need to prepare for all of that now that there’s no pandemic, because there will be no time to prepare when the pandemic comes.”

By the time you’re sure pandemic influenza is occurring, it is(by definition, I sometimes say) too late to prepare for it.

(Much like “by the time you’re in a car accident, there’s not time to buckle up”, by the time you see the tsunami wave it is too late to prepare a community for something that hasn’t happened in their lifetimes, by the time the volcano explodes, it is too late to educate the public that they live near an active volcano, nor about lava, gases, evacuation plans, ect, ect.)

“If you fail to prepare, you are preparing to fail”

-can’t recall who said that first, either…

a helpful link to work on:

Raising Public Awareness

SaddleTramp, maybe the above link is what you’re looking for.

Good link above, Dem and thanks for editing the ribbon stuff to the press release.

Do you feel the press release is ready to be sent now? Finalized?

DemFromCT

Did you ever receive “Becomong Self-Sufficient for Six Months”? I continue to update and distribute this document in my community. My personal physician found it disturbing. He admitted that his clinic has not addressed AI yet. I was dismayed to hear that.

No, I never got it ;-(

try both:

demfromct@earthlink.net

demfromct@singtomeohmuse

ST, that press release is just about ready to go.

Thanks Dem for the link. It IS what I needed. But could you move it from Consequences to a stand-alone link in the list on the left side of the home page. It doesnt make sense to me as a “consequence.” Give it some kind of a name that says Sample Letters You Can Use or something obvious like that?

And Dr. Dave, I’d really love to get your booklet - maybe Dem can put it in the Sample section…?

To the press release, I added:

and with that, it ought to be ready for ST and anyone else.

ST, first I have to receive it… then I’ll post it.

ST re the page link, it doesn’t matter where the page is. The link can be placed anywhere. There’s no standalone pages… everything has a category, and the Raising Public Awareness page is part of Pandemic Preparedness, which was once called ‘consequences’.

Where it will be linked is:

PFAW page,

and I’ll add it to the main page here:

• Local Preparedness

including Personal Preparedness · Raising Public Awareness · Public Safety and Utilities · Workplace Continuity · Scenarios · Models

Now, the important thing is there needs to be material on the page.

Okay, press release edited: for release 9–23–06 at 4 pm.

ready or not, here we go.

Good job, Dem!

To do list:

• recontact Mike Osterholm
• look at press release - edit before 4 pm EST
  • after that, anyone can have it, and someone has to send it to PR Web
• the PFAW page and the Red Ribbon page need final edits before oct 9, but keep the pages neat and clean for pre-traffic
• lugon’s conceptual piece needs a final edit
• blogs have to be contactd
• attach the logo with every mailing

Thanks, Dem. That’s exactly what I needed re the sample letters. I’m working on a handout for the Library display now and will send in a copy shortly.

Thanks, too, for getting the PR together so quickly. A great birthday present for me (tomorrow, the 23rd, happy happy…)

I’d like to use the colored page with the ribbon, etc., on it as a poster or signage for the Library display. Can you post a resizing of it so that it will print off as 8 1/2 by 11? I think it’s a little smaller than that now…

which version? which page? can you give me a link?

Dem, I posted my comments about which version to use on the Ribbon thread.

press release - 4 pm … GMT? ;)

Bird flu means pandemic risk. A pandemic could start at any time and be all over the world in no time. Many people would be ill, a number would die, and we might run short of basic things like food, water and other supplies. We need to prepare for all of that now that there’s no pandemic, because there will be no time to prepare when the pandemic comes.

Are we happy to place that somewhere on a sidebar or something like that? At the top/bottom in italics?

Some people use signatures longer than this in their emails.

Add to to-do list:

• create sister pages for languages
• translate into at least 3 european languages

Also, maybe compile a list of blogs we would want to contact? The more the merrier. I’s thinking about worldchanging etc. Time to reach out!

I’m not happy with “in no time”. More like “in a short time, and last for at least …” Ok, someone else finish that line, please. :)

i think it can go on the PFAW page.

Bird flu means pandemic risk. A pandemic could start at any time and with modern travel, be all over the world in just a few days. Many people would be ill, a number would die, and we might run short of basic things like food, water and other supplies. We need to prepare for all of that now that there’s no pandemic, because there will be no time to prepare when the pandemic comes.

Bird flu means pandemic risk. A pandemic could start at any time and with modern travel, be all over the world in just a few days. Many people would be ill, a number would die, and we might run short of basic things like food, water and other supplies. We need to prepare for all of that now that there’s no pandemic, because there will be no time to prepare when the pandemic comes, and governments can not prepare everything for everyone.

Dem,

When PFAW week arrives, can we have the wiki banner say something welcoming about Awareness Week, the way it does for Slate readers now?

Of course. That slot has been pre-booked. ;-)

Beautiful! I also liked lugon’s idea of a “Welcome” thread in the forum…that will be easy to do…

My brain is waking up this morning- (not spending nights in the emergency room and days at the hospital is a good thing!)

to do:

• send out the press release (someone has to).
  • report here when you have
• review the red ribbon thread (nice comment from Dr.Lanard from Sandman and Lanard) so we know what the pic and botton are.. we will have the master Photoshop available for download so people can make local modifications to URLS.
  • review the rr page for instructions. Assume the card and photoshop button will be on the ftp. Correct file names will be added later to the page.

Speaking of which, I left a comment with John Rennie at ScientificAmerican.com here.

governments can not prepare everything for everyone

Thanks - wonderful addition! Phrased like that, are governments invited to join in?

you bet… team effort. Only you know whast your individual needs are.

A pandemic could start at any time and with modern travel,

I’d add a comma after “and”.

Meaning - this is almost finished, so can we start translating?

yes. I added the comma and the paragraph to the PFAW page.

No complaints, now, if there’s minor editing after translation starts, okay?

see also:

lugon’s working document - temp link

dem, no complaints - starting in a while

the press release has no link to the awareness week page

Just started page for Spanish translation and will do the same for French. Any takers for those translations? Any other languages that need an initial push?

the press release has no link to the awareness week page

It does now.

date and time are American - maybe spell out month as a word, not a number - maybe give hour with EST or whatever it is

looks great so far!

I even did it backwards in honor of Europeans:

23 September 06 at 4 PM EST

;-)

dem,

seen the changes, thanks - will start translating - any other languages? where’s ricewiki when we need multilanguage assistance? :)

(fake angry voice) what do you mean “backwards”?(end fake angry voice) :-D

lugon, your work here never stops amazing me. What a great job you have done on this!

Please see above.

make that a new thread…

Dem, you started this: http://www.fluwikie2.com/pmwiki.php?n=Forum.WeNeedTranslatorsPleaseHelp

Sience Teacher - thanks, but blame it on the great company!

DemFromCT – at 12:52 Do you want each of us individually to send the press release out to our local media? And if so, when? I think it would behoove us to all kick it off on the same day to get the full impact. Since some publications are weekly, I would encourage us to send it out this Wednesday or Thursday (Sept 27–28) to get it into the hoppers. Does that work for you guys? Will the PFAW page be ready for the media to check out by then? Maybe we could encourage people on each of the state pages (such as Floridapreppers) to coordinate among themselves as to who could send to regional publications, etc. to avoid duplication.

Any other thoughts from those of you online tonight?

You and anyone can send it out anytime from now… the weeklies need it asap to get it in time. I’m not worried about the synchronization. The main PFAW page is almost final, so anyone can look at it from this point onward.

Someone should send it to PR WEB this week as well.

The online community will hear about it over the next 2 weeks in drips and drabs.

bump

Spanish translation finished, with only minor inconsistences regarding formal or friendly flavours of “you”.

Go for the other languages!

Will look into Press Release later, I think.

bump

Translating makes translators aware of every word …

Awareness week is “sponsored” by fluwikie? Is that the right word?

sure, it’s a terrific word. Sponsored, initiated, planned, and executed.

ah, ok, fluwikie is us - ok

Flu Wiki is the preferred international term.

that said, “sponsored” sounds as if someone is paying. bandwidth (mods) and our own time (all) - ok.

initiated, planed and executed - fine

http://tinyurl.com/h9dwg The World Health Organisation (WHO) says the loss of health workers from Pacific nations will push the region’s health systems toward collapse. Has this been posted.

This maks for some interesting reading, another forun discussing aspects of the flu. This comes out of Bali.http://tinyurl.com/nku59

why workers are leaving WHO http://tinyurl.com/h9dwg

bump - comments here for PFAW

Good links, Libby, but you might want to put them up on the news thread so more will see them (but check there first to see if they have already been posted there : ) .

I completed 2 runs of the CDC Flu Aide and Flu Surge software for my local area (Camden County, NJ). I was able to find the methods to adjust from a 1918 scenario toward the H5N1 numbers based upon the trends seen in Asia (and I did water them down to allow for “advanced” western medical and technical capacity making an impact, even though I may not personally hold a lot of trust that will be the real case).

Of a population of 518,249 (2005 estimated) and with a total of 1695 non-ICU beds and 199 ICU (61 of which are NICU) a 12-week 50% attack rate and 12.5% CFR results in 26,121 deaths and 103,503 hospitalizations. Week 7 peaks at 1506% of available hospital capacity and 5896% of ventilator capacity needed.

If these numbers don’t point out the need to prepare and take this for the danger that it presents, then nothing will. If anyone wants to know how to use the software and adjust for H5N1 from the 1918 scenario, email me at the singtomeohmuse mailbox. I’ll send along the adjustments to the formula and the password to allow to change the fixed ranges (just remember you have to save it as a copy to keep the original uncorrupted if things change).

Okay, I write for publication (albeit legal publication) every day and, if it’s not too late, I suggest some revisions. Word choice is critical when you are conveying a message to the public. In my view, the press release contained too many “very”s “high”s and other emotional words. I think the facts speak for themselves. I cringe everytime I see someone write or speak of society falling apart, even though we know violence may increase. Some things just immediately turn people off and if they see certain “emotional” words they’ll stop reading and the message will be lost. I’m also concerned that it is too long. I also had a little trouble with the paragraph organization. Take it for what it’s worth. Anyway, here’s my suggested edits:

A group of scientists, health professionals, and concerned individuals are mounting an awareness campaign by launching Pandemic Flu Awareness Week October 9–15 2006. Flu Wiki is an internet-based non-profit resource dedicated to educating the public on all aspects of pandemic planning and mitigation.1 Flu Wiki is seeking to change the current widespread perception that persons need only worry about becoming infected with bird flu by coming into contact with infected birds. Presently, it is extremely difficult for humans to become infected with H5N1 (bird flu) from either birds or other humans. However, the World Health Organization has documented limited limited human-to-human transmission in Southeast Asia.

Three times in the 20th Century, flu viruses have evolved into a dangerous and highly infective form that involved human-to-human transmission, causing worldwide pandemics (global epidemics caused by a new flu strain for which humans have no immunity). A radical change from a seasonal flu virus to the next pandemic is unpredictable, but the public health and economic impact of a pandemic has sparked worldwide concern from public health professionals, scientists, foundations, and governments.

The truth is, the H5N1 strain of avian flu virus, currently circulating in more than 50 countries, poses such a serious threat to public health and the global economy that it is ranked one of four top global risks this year by the World Economic Forum.2 The reason leaders are so concerned is not only because a pandemic may kill millions of people worldwide, but because even a mild pandemic will have a devastating effect on our highly globalized and interdependent world.

According to the World Health Organization, an influenza pandemic would infect at least 25% of any population4 within a matter of weeks, overwhelming even the most sophisticated healthcare systems. Dr. Martin Meltzer of the Centers for Disease Control, an expert on the societal impact of diseases, estimates that “There is no healthcare system anywhere in the world that can cope with even a mild pandemic like the one in 1968.”5

The H5N1 virus has a disporportionately targets children and young adults, with a fatality rate this year of 70–80% for those aged between 10 to 296. Even a mild pandemic is estimated to cause at least 30% of the workforce to not report for work for extended periods due to sickness or caring for ill family members.7 These grim predictions apply to all industries, all businesses, and all countries. The effects of a pandemic on the workforce increases the risk of food and fuel shortages, disruptions to delivery of electricity, natural gas, safe drinking water, and other services.

For these reasons, Pandemic Flu Awareness Week will focus on education and building personal, family, and community resilience. Actions required to achieve that goal include storing essential provisions such as food, water and medications. The Health and Human Services site www.pandemicflu.gov suggests having food, water and medical supplies on hand for two weeks.8 That’s a good starting point, but many scientific and government experts agree that individuals may need to be prepared for 6 weeks9 or longer. In past pandemics, 3 waves, each lasting 6 to 8 weeks, have occured. Pandemic preparation should include prescription and non-prescription medications, as well as other emergency supplies10 as one would ordinarily have for severe weather or natural disasters.

During Pandemic Flu Awareness Week, volunteers of this grassroots campaign will be wearing and distributing red Pandemic Flu Awareness Ribbons, embossed in gold with the letters P (for Pandemic) and A (for Awareness), as well as passing out resource cards telling the public where to find additional information on this serious health issue. The public is invited to participate in this campaign by making and wearing Pandemic Flu Awareness R, instructions for which can be obtained from the Flu Wiki website,3 and encouraged to spread the word in their communities.

The message of the Pandemic Flu Awareness Week is simple:

Be Informed, Get Prepared, Do It Now.

The organizers of this campaign have put together a resource of information at www.fluwikie.com. This website, assembled entirely by volunteers, has been hailed as “the best one-stop resource” by Harvard Business Review11 and called the ‘Encyclopedia Influenzae’ by the prestigious journal Science12. Topics include Questions & Answers on flu, why you should take action, what essential preparations should be made, what might happen to schools and travel, what to do if healthcare is not available, how to help your neighbors and community, and more. The public is invited to download and use any material and to contribute to this effort by sharing knowledge or information from their local communities with others around the country. Flu Wiki also encourages visits to other flu websites, both governmental and non-governmental, for purposes of education and preparedness.

References:

www.fluwikie.com World Economic Forum Global Risk Report 2006 Red Ribbon Campaign WHO report Avian Influenza: Assessing the Pandemic Threat Jan 2005 Meltzer MI, Lancet Asia Forum, Singapore, May 2006 WHO report Epidemiology of WHO-confirmed human cases of avian A(H5N1) infection 30 June 2006 US HHS Pandemic Flu website, pandemicflu.gov Pandemic Planning Assumptions US HHS Pandemic Flu Website, pandemicflu.gov Individuals & Families Planning pandemic flu brochure, State of Nebraska Flu Wiki’s Emergency Preparedness Links Page Harvard Business Review Special Report, Preparing for a Pandemic, May 2006 Science Magazine, Netwatch, Vol. 311. no. 5766, p. 1353, 10 March 2006

many of the suggestions have been adopted.

…and thanks!

which means retranslating - ugh! thanks! :)

ah, no, hang on, press-release had not been translated! phew! :-D

tjclaw1, please have a look at the press release before we translate, thanks!

SILLY ME! tjclaw1 did suggest changes regarding the press-release, sorry. And the press release was indeed changed (see “history”). My bad.

Libby in Atlanta – at 21:12 posted

“why workers are leaving WHO” at http://tinyurl.com/h9dwg

The article is actually about health care workers leaving Western Pacific nations to go work in wealthier countries. It is not about workers leaving the World Health Organization.

The most dramatic exodus of health care workers is what some Filipino officials call the “brain hemorrhage” — beyond a mere “brain drain” — of nurses from the Philippines to developed countries.

If we think western countries’ hospitals are going to be short-staffed during a flu pandemic, just try to imagine the situation in developed countries!

Whoops — that last line should have been: “…just try to imagine the situation in developING countries!”

Path Forward, this belongs in the News thread - someone will copy it over there, I should think.

Ah, ok, Libby in Atlanta’s comments is also (kindly) misplaced. I reckon. :-)

Ok, copied it over to Forum.NewsReportsForSept25. Any follow-ups please go there. Thanks!

tjclaw1- Thank you for your comments and edits. I am in complete agreement and appreciate the effort. I, too, would like to see it shorter- I cut it back once, but it didn’t “take.” ;-)

Thanks everyone. A few more suggestions ( I only copied the sentences where I thought changes were warranted):

Flu Wiki is seeking to change the current widespread perception that persons need only worry about becoming infected with bird flu by coming into contact with infected birds. Unfortunately, the bird flu virus may evolve into an easily transmittable human-to-human disease that would not require bird contact to become infected. Presently, it is difficult for humans to become infected with H5N1 (bird flu) from either birds or other humans. The World Health Organization has, however, documented limited limited human-to-human transmission in Southeast Asia.

Three times in the 20th Century, flu viruses have evolved into a highly infective and lethal form involved human-to-human transmission, causing worldwide pandemics (global epidemics caused by a new flu strain for which humans have no immunity).

The H5N1 strain of avian flu virus, currently circulating in more than 50 countries, poses such a serious threat to public health and the global economy that it is ranked one of four top global risks this year by the World Economic Forum.2 World leaders are concerned because a pandemic has the potential to kill millions of people worldwide, and even a mild pandemic will have a devastating effect on our highly globalized and interdependent world.

Dr. Martin Meltzer of the Centers for Disease Control, an expert on the societal impact of diseases, warns that “There is no healthcare system anywhere in the world that can cope with even a mild pandemic like the one in 1968.”

The H5N1 virus disporportionately targets children and young adults, with a fatality rate this year of 70–80% for those aged between 10 to 29.6 *** The effects of a pandemic on the workforce increases the risk of food and fuel shortages, disruptions to delivery of electricity, natural gas, safe drinking water, and other services. Additionally, schools, banks, stores, restaurants, government offices, and post offices may be closed for an extended period of time.

The United States Department of Health and Human Services www.pandemicflu.gov recommends that each individual stock at least a two week supply of water, nonperishable foods, and medications.8

The public is invited to participate in this campaign by making and wearing Pandemic Flu Awareness Ribbons, instructions for which can be obtained from the Flu Wiki website,3 and encouraged to spread the word in their communities.

Otherwise, I think it looks good. I have to get ready to go to the doc, and won’t have time to look at it again till probably this afternoon. What’s our deadline? If I we have time, I can certainly make recommendations for shortening the press release. I need to check to see how long a press release is supposed to be.

It appears we need to put the press release into proper format before releasing. There are a lot of sample templates online. The length should be 1 page, but no more than 2 pages.

When I get to work I’ll ask a co-worker, who is a fellow fluwikian, to proof it and make additional suggestions.

can a press release have several fonts and _things_?

can you make the changes at the press release page, so it doesn’t have to be redone?

Sure.

lugon – at 11:04 can a press release have several fonts and _things_?

I know Bold is fine, but consider that newspapers may be printing it and I don’t think they’ll use different fonts.

tjclaw1 – at 13:35 - Take a look at the different press releases from the CDC, WHO, DHS, HP, Microsoft, tv networks,and any of the other “big” organizations. They typically have bold or special font headings and a more standard typeface with the release, using bolding or italic to emphasis points when web published, but a more advanced style may be used in print. It all depends upon the medium and the audience. So several formats would be a good idea. Think of it like individualized resumes for different employers - you want their attention without detracting from the message (believe me, being in the process of job hunting and working the wiki I see a lot of parallels). Good work and thanks for your efforts.

I think just the one format here will be just fine. Simple is good.

Any media (online or print) will format and edit it appropriately to meet their space and style needs- irregardless of what we provide. ;-)

Has anyone sent out press releases yet?

I’m about to make some more revisions, after having my co-worker (a fellow Fluwikian) review it. We both write for publication in our jobs.

Okay, my co-worker and I have reviewed the press release and made some revisions. First, we think the press release should begin with the message of Pandemic Flu Awareness Week. Also, I suggested this previously, and will throw it out again. Rather than saying:

“The message of Pandemic Flu Awareness Week is simple:

Be Informed, Get Prepared For Pandemic Flu.

Do It Now, Don’t Wait Till It’s Too Late.”

I think it would sound better to say:

“The message of Pandemic Flu Awareness Week is simple:

Be Informed, Get Prepared,Do It Now.”

Short and sweet and gets the message across without seeming too alarmist and turning people off before they read further.

Also, we think the following sentence needs citation to authority: “This virus has already achieved limited human-to-human transmission as documented by the World Health Organization,2 and the final step to a global pandemic could occur soon.” I added an endnote “2″, but haven’t had time to look it up. If somebody has the citation handy, could you please fill it in?

I think the press release reads a lot better now and would appreciate everyone looking it over. We’ve now edited it down from 4 to 3 pages.

Please let me know your thoughts.

I just put in the references for h2h, and changed the word ‘documented’ to ‘acknowledged’ as h2h is impossible to prove so it is always going to be a matter of judgment rather than fact.

I also like the shortened message.

Pandemic Flu Awareness Week might always appear in italics because it’s quite a mouthful.

“One important goal …” might start a fresh paragraph.

“The H5N1 virus disproportionately …” could be “The current H5N1 virus …”. In that paragraph, focused on DDD (death, disease, disruption), there’s a mixture of current facts and future expectations. We might want to include a second sentence with “no one can predict deaths but it’s a long way down until 2.5%”.

“Individuals” - and families?

“During PFAW, volunteers …” ends in “Flu Wiki website 3, and individuals are encouraged …” I’d separate the “Individuals are encouraged …”.

I’d center the main message.

References 5 and 11 have no url-links.

This thingie is almost perfect - we’re reaching the point where we might forever undo each other’s changes. ;)

I think it looks great at a shorter length.

I would prefer that we keep the name as “Pandemic Flu Awareness Week” on the press release and then referred to it as an international effort, rather than change the name at this point in the game to IPFAW.

In my opinion, it makes the name too long. Not having the word “international” does not mean that it isn’t international does it? We can be worldwide without that designation, can’t we?

Also, it creates a discrepancy between our press release, the PFAW page, the logo the red ribbon campaign, and the 2005 PFAW effort….none of which use the “International”.

My 2 cents.

above should read “…creates a discrepancy between our press release, the PFAW page, the logo, the red ribbon campaign, and the 2005 PFAW effort…”

LauraLou,

I would prefer that we keep the name as “Pandemic Flu Awareness Week” on the press release and then referred to it as an international effort, rather than change the name at this point in the game to IPFAW.

I agree.

References 5 and 11 have no url-links.

reference 5 was from oral presentation.

Reference 11 is subscription article.

ok

Ok, I’ll delete the “international.”

Also, can somebody please check this quote? “According to the World Health Organization, an influenza pandemic will likely infect at least 25% of any population⁶ within a matter of weeks, overwhelming even the most sophisticated healthcare systems.” I’m not sutre if it is referring to 20% of the world population in one wave? I tried to find it but didn’t have any luck.

Is it “Red Ribbon Pandemic Campaign” or Red Ribbon Pandemic Flu Campaign?

I took “international” out of the heading, but added it into the body of the press release in the 1st graph and in the last one under the citations… referring to our effort as international.

Tjclaw1- you can change those insertions if you think they break the “flow”.

It should be “Red Ribbon Pandemic Awareness Campaign”

The page with the heading on it is here.

lugon – at 14:02 Thanks. I think I’ve incorporated your suggestions. I wasn’t sure about where you were suggesting this go:

“One important goal …” might start a fresh paragraph.

Lauralou, I think it is looking great. I’m going to print do a spell check and print it off for one last review.

Is a coordinated press release effort planned? In other words, I think one person should be responsible for sending it to the major news agencies like the Associated Press, BBC, Reuters, etc., so they don’t get duplicates. Then maybe we could start a list of where the news release has been sent (local newspapers, internet news sources, etc.) so people can check to see if somebody else already sent one. What do you think? or has this already been taken care of?

Also, since Melanie’s name is on this press release, I assume she’ll want to review it before it goes out? I haven’t seen her around lately.

tjclaw1 – at 15:19 Ok, I’ll delete the “international.”

Also, can somebody please check this quote? “According to the World Health Organization, an influenza pandemic will likely infect at least 25% of any population6 within a matter of weeks, overwhelming even the most sophisticated healthcare systems.” I’m not sutre if it is referring to 20% of the world population in one wave? I tried to find it but didn’t have any luck.

If you open the link to the WHO document and search for 25% you will find it on p23 on the left in blue “Pandemics are remarkable global events. They spread to all parts of the world very quickly and cause illness in more than 25% of the total population.” I have looked at many references and none of them state exactly whether it is the first wave or not, but certainly the modellers use this number (25–35%) in a wave rather than cumulatively over several waves of one pandemic.

I’ve had the same thoughts. Since Melanie’s name and email is on it, it would probably be most credible if it was sent by her. However, I know she has been under the weather recently.

Any half-way decent media outlet should try to confirm it with her if they received it from someone else…. or they may just ignore it entirely. ;-)

Dem- can you comment on this?

anon_22 – at 15:52 Thanks - I was having trouble figuring out how to do a search - I’m computer challenged. I changed it to a quote because I think it will have more impact and more accurately conveys the message. The following quote adequately deals with the healthcare system.

Seems like recently Dr. Osterholm recommended preparing for 6–12 weeks - anybody else read that? Maybe we should update the figures.

Yes, we need to wait for Dem and Melanie to comment.

tjclaw- If you read back through the threads, you will see the long and almost painful discussions that were gone through to decide on the number of weeks for prep to use in our materials…

The listed intervals of weeks and links used represent a consensus that I, for one, would not want to mess with.

(WHO),(small)2,3,4(end small)

or

(WHO) (small)2,3,4(end small),

(silly, i know)

lugon, I think you are correct that the comma goes after the numbers, since the citations refer to WHO. My husband is a College English professor, and I’ll ask him to proof the press release tonight.

The current H5N1 virus disproportionately targets children and young adults, with a fatality rate this year of 70–80% for those aged 10 to 29.8 It is expected that even during a mild pandemic at least 30% of the workforce would not report for work for extended periods due to sickness or caring for family members.9

Fatalities now, and immediately expected absentism. Shouldn’t we say something to the effect that expected fatalities is an unknown number, and then go into the absentism thing?

Lauralou – at 15:55

Melanie’s available to confirm, but not to send anything/everything out (nor am I). Looks great; a real team effort!

suggestion: compile a list of destinations - again a team effort - and then send from singtomeohmuse? or from some fluwikie-pfaw at gmail or something like that? or something else?

Great suggestion lugon. Can we set up Flu Wiki e-mail? Maybe even a hotmail account.

Oops, I keep losing my cookies! Anon at 19:14 was me. Hubby is proofing press release now.

lugon, I’ll look at your suggestion in a few minutes.

Can we set up Flu Wiki e-mail? Maybe even a hotmail account.

Who reads? Who is responsible? is it official? That’s why Melanie’s email was given. it can be sent from anyone, and (if you’re concerned) add “do not reply”.

Losing your cookies is what you do if you’ve had too much of Bronco Bill’s RWFK.

Dem, lugon, and others,

I’ll be leaving for a half-day Avian Influenza Pandemic Preparedness forum at 7:30 tomorrow morning. Do you think the press release is ready to submit to the forum to show them about the Awareness Week? I wanted to print a few copies, a few copies of the button, and to direct anyone interested to the wiki for more details. These will be hospital, public health, mental health, and respiratory specialists, so it is one good shot at getting noticed here on the outskirts of Philly before the campaign kicks off. If it isn’t ready, then do you have a fall-back document to suggest I use?

Yup, I could sure use some of Bronco Bill’s RWFK after being up all night with the baby! Computer crashed last week and for some reason it’s not retaining cookies.

Hubby has reviewed and I’ve incorporated his suggestions -mostly commas and quotation marks. He did comment that if we are going to mention the 1968 pandemic we should detail that pandemic because it leaves the reader with no reference point. Anybody got any statistics on the 1968 pandemic?

Lugon, I incorporated your suggestions - wanna see how it reads now?

TRay75- I really don’t expect any substantial changes at this point. I think we are down to comma placement type changes. Tjclaw1 is doing a final proof. Please use it!

TRay75 and Lauralou. I think it is ready, except for perhaps adding a statistic concerning the 1968 pandemic - which can be added later - but be prepared that somebody may ask you about the 1968 pandemic since the press release references it.

TRay75 – at 19:54

I’d say it’s GO!

I thought about providing a copy to our City Mayor, State Governor, and State legislature asking them to declare the week “Pandemic Flu Awareness Week.”

BTW, for those who may not have read it, before you start PFAW activities, I’d appreciate if you read my thoughts on citizen participation and connecting with local officials.

anon_22, tjclaw1, and Lauralou,

My intent on tomorrow’s forum is to go with some basic resource material, our Red Ribbon Awareness information, and the press release. I will be carrying a tape recorder (to supplement for a partial hearing loss in one ear (at least it makes it easier to check my notes later) and my 3 runs of the Flu Aid and Flu Surge programs, but not to confront, only to refer to in case things sound like this is trip through the looking glass rather than a true attempt to inform.

I see my job as a reporter to the Wiki and as a concerned individual and father looking for resources and what I can do to help and not hurt. I promise not to even cough to cover up whispering “b******t” if I hear the statement that this is only in birds. I’ll be following this up by applying for a grant to train for emergency management certification an hour later, so I will not have a lot of time to hang around afterward to do much more.

Thanks, and good luck to you all as well.

Where we are:

Press release is ready to go. You will find it here.

Anyone can send it out. Melanie’s email address is on it, and she will confirm the information if confirmation is needed by media sources.

Gilmore at CE posted this today. I think it would make a good link. He is refering to an article in the AARP magazine. Does anyone have a copy to vaildate this? It is not available online. Here is what he posted: (Claudia Dreifus is a NY Times science correspondent).

“Robin Williams sitting on a tricycle is on the cover.

Bird Flu By Claudia Dreifus A leading virologist warns of a coming pandemic. How concerned should you be?

They show the article in online table of contents, but do NOT link to it, meaning they didn’t bother uploading it. . . Arrrg (plop)

From Article

Q. If H5N1 mutates, what could readers do to protect themselves?

Webster: You mean if they can’t get a vaccine? I’d say: If they have a house in the hills, then go to it-and stay there for 3 months. And have enough food there already so that you can stay as far away from neighbors as possible.

Q. So you advocating people stockpiling food and medicane

Webster: Absolutley. Most of us can afford dry food for 3 months. One bottle of clorox is enough to purify all the water you need out of local rivers. (NOTE: I have trouble with this)

Q. Why get the standard flu shot?

Webster: It may do a little bit against bird flu. A little bit. Another thing: Tamiflu or Relenza, have them on hand. . . I keep a supply myself. I always take it with me when I travel-just in case I get exposed.

I find the press release is simply great. Now I need to refresh the seed to a couple translations, and link to the thread where we could gather to help. Back soon!

http://www.fluwikie.com/pmwiki.php?n=Main.Es-PressRelease is done. I’m entirely happy with the translation, meaning I feel a professional translator might improve about 1% of it - and I (humbly) challenge them to do so.

Now, I think we can do a couple of things regarding translations:

• place a small unobtrusive link from the English version to the Spanish and to others who will undoubtedly pop up.
• create pages for several other languages. Each such page will have the text in English, with a link to make it easy to “press here to translate” (i.e., “edit”).

The ribbons show “PA” but in Spanish it should be “CP” (Concienciación Pandémica). I’m not asking anyone to do yet more work, but if someone does it, please alert me so I can change the Press Release.

Thanks and congrats!

I’ll do the CP thing and add it to the Semana de Conciencia Pandémica Gripal 2006 page.

bump

Dem, the card you have is still the old one with the “non profit” phrase. The new and final cards are on the muse site. Just FYI about the Red Ribbon Link page.

PFAW Team,

I let the panelists at the UMDNJ forum have an advance look at the press release during the conference today. Some discussion, but none shared with me. The head of NJ Preparedness however is a Wiki visitor and has been reading some of our forums. Sorry I have no other feedback.

Dude, temporary fix posted.

Dem, Gracias, Amigo!

Do we have German people or other languages? I can’t understand them, but the Spanish page can be used as a model regarding name (“Es-“ for Spanish, “Fr-“ for French, etc) and links etc.

The links at the top of this page to PFAW and Red Ribbon show a card with links to the European site in place of CIDRAP. Could this be changed?

I’ll fix it.

fixed

bump

bump

actually, let’s close it…

new one here.