From Flu Wiki 2

Forum: Upcoming Pandemic Conferences-October

27 September 2006

banshee – at 13:15

West Virginia

The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources and the CAMC Institute present the 2006 West Virginia Conference on Infectious Disease. The conference will be held Oct. 1819 at the Charleston Marriott Town Center, 200 Lee St. E, Charleston, WV 25301. Keynote speaker for the conference will be Michael T. Osterholm, PhD, MPH Director Center for Infectious Disease and Research Policy and Author of Living Terrors. Dr. Osterholm will lecture Wednesday, Oct. 18 at 3 p.m. Reception and Book signing to follow 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, contact the CAMC community liasons at 304.345.9051 or by e-mail at communityliasons@camc.org.

banshee – at 13:17

Citizen Pandemic Planning at National Academy of Science, Oct 23, 2006

You are cordially invited to attend the 16th Disasters Roundtable workshop: Citizen Engagement in Emergency Planning for a Flu Pandemic which will be held Monday, October 23, 2006 in room 100 of the National Academies Keck Center at 500 Fifth Street NW, Washington DC.

In consultation with the Institute of Medicines Board on Population Health (BPHP), the Disasters Roundtable will convene a one-day workshop to discuss public and citizen involvement in actions to prepare for a possible flu pandemic occurring in the United States. The workshop will feature invited presentations and discussions that are expected to:

Demonstrate through such events as Hurricane Katrina the relevance of improved emergency planning that considers the real needs of diverse U.S. communities; Verify, from research and practice-based knowledge, the societal benefits of including citizens in emergency planning; Assess the feasibility of engaging citizens in public health emergency planning; Consider the challenges and advantages of inclusive planning in the context of pandemic influenza and potentially explosive situations such mass casualties and medical triage, scarce antivirals and vaccines, and community-wide disease containment.

Additional information will be available on our website at (http://dels.nas.edu/dr ).

Please feel free to forward this invitation to your colleagues who might be interested in attending. Attendance is free and open to the public, however registration is required. Registration opens at noon, Wednesday, September 20 (http://dels.nas.edu/dr/dr_reg.shtml) and closes October 19, 2006.

The Disasters Roundtable seeks to facilitate and enhance communication and the exchange of ideas among scientists, practitioners, and policymakers concerned with urgent and important issues related to natural, technological, and other disasters. Roundtable meetings are held three times a year in Washington, DC. Each meeting is an open forum focused on a specific topic or issue designated by the DR Steering Committee.

banshee – at 13:18

Wisconsin

October 12 at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Surviving the Pandemic deals with pandemic preparedness for small and medium-sized businesses. Conference will be held at 8:15am to 4:45 pm at the Alliant Energy Center. To register, call 6082631672. Deadline to register is October 2. Experts will be available for interviews prior to and during the conference.

http://tinyurl.com/lcbha

Comment: Please check the site as I was unable to copy information directly for this post. More information on the conference is there.

banshee – at 13:19

Ontario

Pandemic Communications Forum - Toronto, November 30 & December 1

International and national experts in pandemic communications will come together to present at the, Pandemic Communications Forum, in Toronto on November 30 & December 1 (early bird ends October 6). This forum is supported by the Healthcare Public Relations Association and CNW Group. Its a must attend for healthcare and municipal communications professionals. The forum is fortunate to have Judy Brown, Vice President, Membership & Past President, Health Care Public Relations Association & Director Communications, Queensway Carleton Hospital, Ottawa as chair of the event.

Topics and speakers include: - Influenza Pandemic: Global Planning and Risk Communications Daniel Epstein, Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (WHO)

- Canada Update: Canadas Pandemic Communications Plan Catherine Allison, Communications Executive, Public Health Agency of Canada & Elaine Chatigny, Director General, Communications, Public Health Agency of Canada

- Cross Border Communication - The Great Lakes Border Health Initiative Richard Buck, Public Health Preparedness Program, New York State Department of Health

- What do we do Now? Business Continuity in the Age of Pandemics Graeme Jannaway

- Practical Strategies for Pandemic Communications Plans Mark Dixon, Director, Public Affairs, Capital Health Edmonton

There is also an exciting interactive health media panel with Ian Caldwell of CTV News, Piya Chattopadhyay with CBC News and a print reporter to be announced.

Optional Post-Conference Workshops:

A. Communications Lessons Learned from SARS: How to Prepare for the Next Crisis David Davenport, Manager of Media Relations and Corporate Communications, St. Michaels Hospital, Toronto

B. Media Relations 101: What to Do When an Emergency Hits Cynthia Lockrey, Lockrey Communications

For a complete copy of the agenda please visit: http://www.summersdirect.com/pdf/Pandemic_Communications_Forum.pdf

http://tinyurl.com/mzf79

banshee – at 13:21

EMS Conference:

Vital Signs 2006 - October 19 - 22

Onondaga County Convention Center, Syracuse, NY

www.VitalSignsConference.com

Many sessions covering pandemic flu, including this sample: Track E Realistic Pandemic Planning Katherine West, BSN, MSEd, CIC

Local departments and cities must do their own thing to be prepared. But, the planning must be realistic. Letfs discuss where we are and what is workable. It is not going to be vaccine and antiviral! What is the New York Plan?

banshee – at 13:23

California

Chamber to host forum on preparing for a major disaster or flu pandemic Health experts will brief businesses on being prepared for a major disaster or flu pandemic on Friday, Oct. 6, 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. Dr. Jonathon Fielding, director of public health for the L.A. County and Dr. Lucile Jones, seismologist-in-charge at the US Geological Survey, will discuss how to analyze a companys vulnerabilities, updating human resource policies and understanding threats facing the region. Register now for the free seminar or for more information, contact Director of Public Policy Samuel Garrison, 213.580.7568 or sgarrison@lachamber.org.

banshee – at 13:24

California

Half-day summit will focus on how schools can handle a pandemic

San Benito County is taking the threat of a pandemic flu seriouslyThe workshop will be Oct. 12 at the Hollister School District office. It includes a lecture on pandemic influenza, a talk about San Benitos preparation and practice scenarios. Though the focus will be on schools with K-12 students, the information will be valuable to preschool and college level as well. Those encouraged to attend include school nurses, business office representatives, human resource staff and district-level staff.

Contact the Public Health Division at 8316375367 or the County Office of Education at 8316375393 for more information. Registration is open until Oct. 6 and spots are limited.

http://tinyurl.com/pwloh

banshee – at 13:25

Wisconsin

Businesses plan for worst-case scenario

It pays to be ready for the worst-case scenario this flu season, says Kelly Coles, vice president of operations for Tosca Ltd., Green Bay.

[snip]

Tosca which manufactures and services returnable containers for the cheese, beer and produce industries developed its own business plan in the event of a pandemic with suggestions from its team of employees, Coles said.

[snip]

Tosca will be one of two Wisconsin companies to share its business plan on Oct. 24 at a Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce seminar called Pandemic Planning for Business.

We rely on individuals and businesses to help themselves, said Brown County emergency director Cullen Peltier. The more prepared citizens and businesses are, the easier it will be to coordinate resources.

About 175 people may attend the seminar. Peltier said hes been getting lots of calls requesting pandemic planning.

[snip]

The program will offer participants:

Information on pandemic influenza by local and state health officials. Business continuity plans developed by two Wisconsin businesses, Johnson Controls and Tosca Ltd. Personal preparedness recommendations to protect employee health.

http://tinyurl.com/ea6af

banshee – at 13:26

Rhode Island

Free Program Offered On Influenza Outbreak

The Westerly Hospital will host a free community awareness program to present its plan for coordinating patient health care in the event of a pandemic influenza outbreak from 6 to 7 p.m. Oct. 3 and 5 in the Henry J. Nardone Conference Center at the hospital.

Information will also be presented on how individuals can protect themselves and their families in an outbreak.

The program will be led by nurse Debra Johnson, the hospitals infection control coordinator.

http://tinyurl.com/qvqhj

banshee – at 13:28

New Jersey

Caf provides opportunity for scientific inquiry

PRINCETON TOWNSHIP The Princeton Senior Resource Center will host its first Science Caf 2 p.m. Oct. 11 at the Suzanne Patterson Building. The topic will be The Pandemic Influenza Threat and the guest speaker will be David Henry from the Princeton Regional Health Department.

[snip]

In preparation for the first session, attendees are encouraged to attend the lecture series offered at the Princeton Public Library this month.

For more information, call the Princeton Senior Resource Center at (609) 9247108.

http://tinyurl.com/zr58t

banshee – at 13:30

Virginia

October 10, 2006 Sheraton National, Arlington, VA

Dont miss our Preparing for Pandemic Influenza Conference on October 1112, 2006, register for both events and save $100

Registration / Coffee and Pastries: 8:00 AM, Program Starts: 8:30 AM, Wrap-up: 3:30 PM

http://www.homelanddefensejournal.com/hdl/conf_fluworkshop.htm Pandemic Influenza: Principles and Techniques for Communicating Effectively in High Stress and High Concern Situations

banshee – at 13:31

New York

Oct. 4

The Western New York Chapter of the Information Systems Audit and Control Association, luncheon meeting, noon to 1:30 p.m., Chefs Restaurant, 291 Seneca St. Program: Business Continuity and Pandemic Considerations, presented by Matthew Speare, M&T Bank Corp. Cost: $20, members; $25, nonmembers; $10, students. Make checks payable to the IIA WNY Chapter. Reservations, e-mail: Jim Kist, James.Kist@gmail.com. (Buffalo)

http://tinyurl.com/z9h56

banshee – at 13:32

Maryland

(Catonsville)

St. Agnes Hospital will host business, community, church and school leaders at a roundtable next month on emergency response planning for a pandemic influenza outbreak.

Several hundred people have been invited to the event, which will take place from 10 a.m. to noon Oct. 6 in the hospitals Alagia Auditorium. The hospital is located at 900 Caton Ave.

The roundtables panel includes Dr. Christa-Marie Singleton, chief medical program director with Baltimore Citys Office of Public Health Preparedness; John Schaefer, assistant professor at the Johns Hopkins University, associate director for health, safety and environment; Jennifer Noppenberger, a registered nurse and director of infection control and emergency preparedness at St. Agnes Hospital; Dr. Adrian Long of St. Agnes Hospital; and Jennifer Thomas, clinical pharmacist, St. Agnes Hospital.

St. Agnes will host a separate event in November on what individuals can do to protect themselves from a pandemic outbreak, Creighton said.

No date for that has been set.

http://tinyurl.com/jff8u

banshee – at 13:33

Ontario

Saugeen Shores has plans in place for a pandemic and want to share that information. Theres a public meeting set for October 18th at The Plex in Port Elgin. Saugeen Shores Mayor Mark Kraemer says theyve already done plenty of table top exercises but are now working with the Grey Bruce Health Unit to get the word out community wide.

http://tinyurl.com/prdb3

banshee – at 13:34

Hat Tip to all those who contributed on the old thread.

Brunetti – at 15:25

I don’t know if anyone else has noted this, but one of our Fluwikie moderators will be on a panel at the October 23 Washington Workshop of the National Academies: Citizen Engagement in Emergency Planning for a Flu Pandemic reference near the top of the thread.

28 September 2006

bump – at 01:22

bump

jt – at 14:20

I attended Pandemic planning conference yesterday in FT Pierce florida at Indian River community college. Most of the 150 attending were from Human resource departments. County offical from martin county was not very well informed abour Bird Flu. However was happy that Florida Power & Light(major electrical supplier for most of Florida) has very good planning to deal with Pandemic. However their plans are based on a mild to moderate event similiar to 1918!They planning projects A 5 % FATILITY RATE. Another good speaker was from corporate office of Office depot. They have very detailed plans on dealing with a pandemic. Other speakers from local county health departments seemed to get it, however literature still says prep for two weeks!I couldn’t stay for all of conference and they limited questions, however a few people in audience asked some hard questions,most of the response was that the virus will be much less severe before it gets here!! WE HOPE!

banshee – at 14:36

jt at 14:20, Thanks for reporting back. Good to hear that some of the power companies are planning seriously. I expect some of that is being directed from above. Plus, it is good to hear that others are asking tough questions! Wonder if any of them were fluwikians.

29 September 2006

bump – at 12:07

bump

30 September 2006

banshee – at 13:07

Indiana

Allen County residents will have other opportunities to learn how to prepare for a flu pandemic and pick up a free flu kit.

Upcoming community forums hosted by the Fort Wayne-Allen County Department of Health are:

♦ 7–9 p.m. Monday at Park Hill Center, 1000 Prospect Ave., New Haven

♦ 7–9 p.m. Oct. 9 at Homestead High School, 4310 Homestead Road

♦ 1–3 p.m. Oct. 13 at Fort Wayne Community Center, 233 W. Main St.

For more information, go to www.fighttheflu.org

http://tinyurl.com/k7sae

banshee – at 13:11

Wisconsin

Doctor/author to present bird flu seminar

A two-hour seminar, Avian (Bird) Influenza: A Contender for the Next Pandemic, will be held Oct. 26 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the La Crosse Public Library, Main Branch, at 800 Main St. in La Crosse.

The seminar, sponsored by Coulee Youth Ministries, will be presented by Dr. Mary Ann McNeilus, a retired physician from southern Minnesota who now practices preventive medicine.

McNeilus, the author of Gods Healing Way, will cover the great flu pandemic of 1918, an update on the current avian influenza and lifestyle practices to boost immune defenses.

Seating is available for 90 so people should come early. For more information, call Mary Lindahl at 788–9625.

http://tinyurl.com/z93uj

anon_22 – at 13:31

banshee at 14:36

Yes, I feel honored to be invited on the panel. It happened last week after I made a presentation at the UPMC Center for Biosecurity on FluWiki. For that, I chose as topic “FluWiki, A Model for Citizen Engagement?”, and shared with them some examples of our ‘hive mind’ at work. The slides will eventually be uploaded to the ftp when I’ve had time to edit them.

The invite took me by surprise as it was completely unexpected, but now that I’ve had time to think about it, I’m glad cos that’s where I intend to go next, speak up even more openly about what needs to happen for the world to get through the next pandemic. I am sure I will make lots of mistakes, and the more visible one is, the more likely that the mistakes will be totally embarrassing, but that’s what you have to accept, I guess.

The topic on the National Academies page has not been updated. I will definitely NOT be talking about HIV, since I know zilch about it. :-) My proposed title is “Who Will Tell the People? Pandemic Risk Communication in the Internet Age.”

Also, now that my name is out on that page anyhow, I’ve also added that to my profile, but I guess I will just stick with anon_22 for the forum for the sake of continuity.

Much thanks to everyone from whom I’ve learnt so much, and will continue to learn. There are areas that are complete black holes to me, like what to do about the UK, that I’ve only just started to think about. This is a great community, and we can go far if we use each other’s talents.

anon_22 – at 13:32

sorry, that was in response to Brunetti at 15:25, not banshee

Tom DVM – at 13:36

anon 22. Congratulations on ‘outing yourself’. /:0)

lugon – at 19:23

anon_22 :-)

03 October 2006

Petticoat Junction – at 12:17

Central Texas

Notice posted today:

The Waco-McLennan County Public Health District & the Brazos Area Health Education Center will have a pandemic flu community meeting, with sessions from 8:30am to noon and from 1:30 to 5pm Wed (10/4) at the McLennan Community College Conference Center. The meeting is free and open to the public.

Dr Dennis Perrotta, of the Univ. of TX School of Public Health and a former state epidemiologist of the TX Dept of State Health Services, will be the keynote speaker for both sessions.

To ask questions, call Kelly Craine at (254) 750–5429 __

They also have a regional conference for public health officials at the end of the month, one track of which is on public health preparedness:

Public Health Preparedness Track with an emphasize current planning and preparedness, the goals and response of the DMORT team, emerging issues in zoonosis and enhancing public health infrastructure with the use of information technology for research and communication.”

09 October 2006

Edna Mode – at 08:04

Pandemic Flu Forum Sponsored by Seattle and King Counties Public Health & the CDC

Saturday, November 4, 2006 9:00 am to 2:30 pm Northgate Community Center 10510 5th Ave NE [MAP] Seattle, WA

We want to know how [pandemic] could impact your life

What would you do if schools and child care centers had to close for several weeks during a pandemic, or if you were asked to stay home from work? What if church services and public gatherings had to be curtailed? Public Health Seattle and King County and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) want to hear from people living in the Seattle area about how they would react to various strategies under consideration to decrease transmission of influenza in the community during a severe pandemic. What issues would these measures raise for you, and what would be your concerns? How feasible would they be for you and your household?

http://tinyurl.com/mowf2


Comment

This is “one of a handful” of such forums being sponsored around the country in which everyday citizens will have an opportunity to speak directly to reps from the CDC. I have e-mailed the contact person for the series and will post other locations if she responds. It would be great if we could get people from the wiki to attend these.

JV – at 08:50

Edna Mode -

I live in Seattle. I am planning to attend this forum, and also the University of Washington Global Health Lecture at Benaroya Hall tomorrow night. I will write up an evaluation of each.

Edna Mode – at 08:53

Great JV. I had you in mind for the CDC forum in November. What do you think Duchin’s response will be when/if he recognizes you?

JV – at 09:10

Edna Mode -

He knew I was right in what I said. He was nodding with my comments about getting people’s attention. It was clear, though, that he was not going to do what I suggested. I did leave on a pleasant note. I thanked him for his time. He just simply knows my adgenda now. There is no animosity.

I believe this forum in November is for the government to take the people’s temperature as to what they can handle. However I don’t think they know exactly how to approach prepping, possible quarantine, or other hard realities of a pandemic, without causing panic. If they see that people are seeking the truth, no matter how bad, wanting to prepare, and not becoming freaked, I think they will be more honest. Everyone knows the best thing always for the government to is be honest, and if not, that in itself can cause panic. Unfortunately. I don’t see that our government really understands that. They are searching for the correct psychological approach. Don’t worry, I will certainly make suggestions at this forum!

Edna Mode – at 09:19

JV at 09:10 Dont worry, I will certainly make suggestions at this forum!

I have no doubt! I attended a (frustrating) workshop last week in which I made comments, but only after gauging the audience and after toning down what I said considerably so as not to alienate and/or overwhelm the people in attendance. I dropped some important take away info for people to follow-up on after the meeting. I think it resonated, and I hope your info does as well. Good luck, and let us know how it goes!

JV – at 09:37

Edna Mode -

I agree. If you go to a forum with both guns blazing and start attacking people, your message will not be heard as well. It is all so psychological! I will simply have my information straight, point out known facts, and make suggestions as to what would work best. I will always come back to the point that honesty will be the government’s best ally! I will go with best intentions to help them sort out how to approach people discussing pandemic flu.

fredness – at 12:45

There is a Regional Pandemic Flu Conference from Harborview Medical Center University of Washington? on the Research Channel of DishNetwork today from 9am-10am pacific time. Just found it by accident.

Sahara – at 13:44

Minnesota

2005 Minnesota Pandemic Summit

Summit to Address Public/Private/Government Partnerships in Pandemic Planning

October 11, 2006, 7:30 am until noon CDT.

Press Release: http://www.bcpa.org/metadot/index.pl?iid=3671&isa=Category

The conference will be streamed live on Minnesota Public Radio at http://minnesota.publicradio.org/

Sahara – at 13:46

It’s really the 2006 summit, not the 2005 summit.

10 October 2006

bump – at 11:04

The 3rd International Bird Flu Summit will take place in Geneva, Switzerland, 14–15 November 2006. The purpose of the summit is to prepare the World to fight this potentially infectious disease.

    Topics Include:  
      Country Report & Situations Update  
      Surveillance and Data Management  
      Preparing Communities Strategies; Local Partnership and Participation  
      Delivery of Vaccine and Antiviral Medication  
      Emergency Response and Hospital/Health Care Coordination  
      Poultry Farms: The Frontline Fight Against Avian Flu  
      Benefit-risk Assessment: Public Health, Industry and Regulatory Perspectives  
      Prevention Education Efforts and Risk Communication  
      Command, Control and Management  
      Emergency Response Management  
      Business-Based Planning  
      School-Based Planning  
      Community-Based Planning  

    Country Report:  
      Indonesia 
      Turkey 

13 October 2006

anon_22 – at 05:11

bump at 11:04 The 3rd International Bird Flu Summit will take place in Geneva, Switzerland, 1415 November 2006.

Do you have a link please?

anon_22 – at 05:24

found it

The 3rd International Bird Flu Summit, Geneva, Switzerland, 1415 November 2006

lugon – at 05:26

Still talking about “bird flu”, not “pandemic flu”? Tsk, tsk! Our Awareness Week hasn’t made that much of an impact. ;)

14 October 2006

anon_22 – at 14:50

I will be giving a talk on “Who Will Tell the People? Preparing for the next Influenza Pandemic” at Simon’s Rock College of Bard, Great Barrington, MA on 19 October, 5pm at the Lecture Hall. All are welcome. Apologies for such short notice as the date was not fixed till now.

BTW, I plan on repeatedly using “Who Will Tell the People?” as the first half of any of my pandemic flu talks for the forseeable future. Pushing the point, you know :-)

FrenchieGirlat 15:09

anon_22 at 05:11 - The 3rd International Bird Flu Summit will take place in Geneva, Switzerland, 1415 November 2006

Just seen that, way too expensive for me to go. In addition to which I am still waiting for my order “to invade Africa” in November… Now:

Anon_22: want to hop over with Easyjet? You got a place to stay/eat/unwind here!

anon_22 – at 17:15

FrenchieGirl at 15:09

Email me at anon_22 AT hotmail DOT co DOT uk. I have a message for you..

FrenchieGirlat 17:42

anon_22 — at 17:15 - Done

16 October 2006

anon_22 – at 12:36

The Institute of Medicine (IOM) is conducting an expedited review of the role of community-based mitigation strategies during an influenza pandemic. A workshop on this topic will be held on Wednesday, October 25 & Thursday, October 26, 2006 and will be open to the public. The meeting will be held at the PAHO Building, Room A, 525 23rd Street, NW, Washington, DC 20037. This workshop is part of the information gathering process of the IOM committee reviewing this issue.

The committee will prepare a report based primarily on information from the workshop that will include conclusions and recommendations, based upon available evidence, regarding:

The workshop format will allow for dialogue among workshop presenters, the committee, and the audience. To view the full statement of task of the committee, please see the project website at http://www.iom.edu/CMS/3793/37624.aspx.

The draft agenda for this meeting will be posted to the projects website closer to the meeting date (http://www.iom.edu/CMS/3793/37624/37630.aspx).

If you would like to attend the meeting, please register online at http://www8.nationalacademies.org/isc-registration/public/default.asp?event=AD6077FE by 5:00pm Eastern on October 23, 2005, and provide your name and contact information. You will receive an email confirmation of your registration within 24 hours. As for all IOM meetings, registration is free.

IMPORTANT POST anon_22 – at 12:49
LauraBat 12:54

anon22 - I wish I could make your talk! I’m not that far from GB, but DH is out of town and I don’t have anyone to live the little ones with. Best wishes and let us know how it goes!

IMPORTANT POST anon_22 – at 12:59

There’s a bunch of folks getting together near DC on Oct 21. I am thinking whether it is possible to turn that (Oct 21) into some sort of preparation workshop for representations to be made at the IOM conference on 25–26. We would then need people who can come to both, brainstorm together, and so on.

Sorry for being brief cos I’m running late.

Average Concerned Mom – at 15:09

anon-22

I can’t find any information about your talk at the college web site. I want to send some family members to hear you talk! (-: But I’m afraid they won’t go if it doesn’t look at least official somehow… is there anything about it on the web?

Average Concerned Mom – at 15:10

anon-22 I’m sorry, I mean, at the Simon Rock’s college of Bard. Do they have a school of public health or something?

IMPORTANT POST anon_22 – at 17:56

They don’t have anything at the website, cos its a tiny weeny little college and this is very last minute. They do not have a school of public health. Simon’s Rock is a liberal arts college for ‘younger’ students ie those who have skipped a couple of years or so to go to college early. They have some famous alumni including Ann Reid who’s now at the NIH.

I’m talking there cos my daughter is a student there! They are the reason why I got involved with FluWiki. :-)

anon_22 – at 17:57

That was not an important post, I forgot to change my handle.

18 October 2006

nsthesia – at 13:52

I attended a Pandemic Flu Meeting held on the MS Gulf Coast last week. I saw the meeting listed on the internet and decided to go while visiting relatives hit by Katrina.

The meeting was organized by a group of community leaders who organize meeting on various topics of interest. I was impressed that panflu even made the list. The speaker was the former epidemiologist of the state.

I left the meeting with ambivalent feelings. I was amazed to even SEE a panflu lecture take place. The entire region is still overwhelmed with the aftermath of hurricane Katrina. The sights are still shocking after a year of work. So…I feel reluctant to critique the meeting. But here is my perception on the event…

The talk looked and sounded like every canned talk I had ever seen on the panflu on the internet. I have seen the same slides numerous times. The same words used. The same format. The same comparison of seasonal and pandemic flus. As I sat there and watched the slideshow, I had the strange thought that Someone had issued a proclamation that this canned talk is what the public is to be told. And only this information.

The speaker kept the conversation light. Lots of chuckles about kids happy to not have to go to school. She was gracious and amenable to questions throughout her talk. I then said that it was all well and good to find humor in this very serious subject. That I had been following this virus for 2 years and how it’s progress had not diminished over time, but had in fact, increased it’s spread. And along with it, increased my sense of concern and awareness. I expressed my concern about the many species it had infected. About the increased numbers of human infections, about the increased clusters. About the continued elevated CFR. About the target age groups being most susceptible to this virus - the children and young adults.

When each point I mentioned was brought up and illustrated, the speaker agreed with the numbers. The WHO data sheet that held the deaths by country/year was put on the screen for perhaps a second, with the comment, “You don’t really want to see that.” When the recommendation to stockpile a two week supply of food, water, meds, etc. was mentioned, with a chuckle, she said, “Who wants a 2 week pile of supplies hanging around their house?” I raised my hand and said “I do.” At that point, an attendee then got brave and said if we are supposed to have a 2 week stockpile, what happens if these waves are 4–6 weeks long? I found out later that she was a regular viewer of another forum.

Almost at the end of the lecture, I made the comment that I believed that I will see a pandemic in my lifetime. That it might not be H5N1, but the odds are likely that I will be alive during at least one. That single comment got the attention of one of the organizers, who became agitated. For some reason, it seemed he had negated all that was said and had minimized the situation until he heard that comment. He then asked the speaker for validation and she concurred. That fact really bothered him. Some comment was made about no need to panic people. And that is when I said, “Being prepared is NOT panicking. Panic happens when you are not prepared.” It was at that point that the meeting was soon wrapped up.

I spoke to the speaker after the meeting. She had concern that people will panic. I told her I understood the fine line between informing people and panicking them. But that for years we had this paternalistic view of medicine that kept people from even knowing their diagnosis. We did things TO patients instead of involving them in their own care. Those views changed.

I asked if we do not do a disservice to minimize this situation? Why not just present the facts of this virus and let people decide?

BTW, The title of this lecture was Pandemic Flu: Worry or Not Worry? I hate that title. Worry is a useless endeavor, IMO. To have concern or heightened awareness of a potentially dangerous situation is another thing. THAT is common sense. And I surely do not see this situation as an either/or event, but in gradations, with some days/weeks being of greater concern than others.

I drove away from this lecture with a feeling that a canned speech with minimal, non-threatening information is what is being promoted (all around the country). Some basic facts, all culminating in an effort to “inform” but reassure.

IMO, an attempt should be made by any informed FW participant to attend as many of these meetings/talks/lectures as possible and to ask questions and make informed comments. Because it is only when the “serious” questions get asked does the tone of the talk change. It is only then when people begin to think that perhaps this IS a matter that deserves more of their time and interest.

Pixie – at 17:05

New York City - October 23 - Nabarro Attending

http://www.ascribe.org/cgi-bin/behold.pl?ascribeid=20061018.095821&time=10

Preparing for a Deadly Flu Pandemic: New York Academy of Sciences Meeting

 Highlights Latest in Vaccines, Therapeutics, Public Preparedness; Emerging Infectious Disease Discussion Group Meeting Set for Oct. 23

       NEW YORK, Oct. 18 (AScribe Newswire) — Scientists agree it’s only a matter of time before the next flu pandemic strikes. In 1918, a particularly lethal strain of the flu killed at least 50 million people worldwide in less than a year, including approximately 675,000 in the U.S. Experts say the current H5N1 virus, or Avian flu, has some similar genetic traits to the 1918 virus, a finding that has generated concerns over whether we are adequately prepared for dealing with the consequences of another global flu pandemic. 

       To discuss the latest in vaccine development strategies, pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical approaches, public preparedness planning, and clinical experience with H5N1 Avian flu- infected individuals, the New York Academy of Sciences’ Emerging Infectious Diseases Discussion Group will host a half-day meeting, “Flu Preparedness,” on Oct. 23 from 1 to 5 p.m. at its headquarters at 7 World Trade Center, 40th Floor, 250 Greenwich St., New York, NY. Among the expert speakers: 

       - Peter Palese and Adolfo Garcia-Sastre, Mount Sinai School of Medicine

       - Stephen Morse, Columbia University 

       - Isaac B. Weisfuse, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene 

       - David Nabarro, United Nations 

       - Menno D. de Jong, Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Vietnam. 

       Highlights include: 

       “Influenza and Influenza Viruses: An Introduction.” 

       Dr. Palese will discuss how the reconstruction of the genes of the 1918 pandemic virus and studies on their contribution to virulence are important steps toward understanding the biological capabilities of this lethal virus. 

       “Can Vaccines Stop the next Influenza Virus Pandemic? A Virologist’s Perspective.” 

       The most efficient way to prevent disease caused by influenza virus is vaccination. However, there are important limitations with respect to how to apply the existing influenza virus vaccine technologies to stop a pandemic. Dr. Garcia-Sastre will discuss several approaches to improve existing influenza virus vaccines and develop novel vaccines. 

       “Waiting for the Vaccine to Arrive: Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions.” 

       In a pandemic, it likely will take months for a new influenza vaccine to be manufactured and distributed. In the early stages of a pandemic, other measures will likely be necessary to help control the pandemic until vaccines or drugs become available. These range from hand washing and “respiratory etiquette” to a voluntary quarantine and avoiding large gatherings. Dr. Morse will discuss the options available and how they might be used. 

       “Pandemic Flu Planning in New York City.” 

       New York has long been vulnerable to infectious disease threats. During an influenza pandemic, Dr. Weisfuse, in partnership with federal, state, state and local agencies, will focus on strategies to limit severe illness and death from influenza; working with health care partners to support care; maintaining essential medical services, and communicating rapidly, accurately and frequently with all affected populations. 

       “Human Infections with avian influenza H5N1 virus: Observations from Vietnam.” 

       Human infections with avian influenza A (H5N1) virus, associated with severe and often fatal disease, continue to occur in Asia and Africa, igniting fears of an imminent flu pandemic. While only time will tell whether these fears are justified, lessons learned from current sporadic human H5N1 infections may help to prepare for the worst. During this talk, Dr. de Jong will summarize his group’s clinical, virological and immunological observations in H5N1-infected patients in southern Vietnam and discuss the potential relevance of these observations for pathogenesis, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of human H5N1 disease. 

       Reporters are invited to attend this meeting; pre-registration is required. To register, please contact Alyssa Zahorcak at 212–298–8616 or email azahorcak@nyas.org 

       CONTACT: Jennifer Tang, NYAS Media Relations, 718 204 4854, jtang@nyas.org 
preppiechick – at 17:47

ST. LOUIS:

The local news reproted that today there was a conference on pandemic planning for higher learning places, at Washington University. It was on the am local fox news, but I only caught part of it. I couldn’t find a link or mention of it anywhere else. Does anyone else know anything more? Also, in looking for that, I found this upcoming meeting for the public:

10/26/2006 11 am What to Do in A Pandemic Jewish Community Center Learn strategies to keep safe in a pandemic. Call to register. Price: Free Phone: 314–442–3150 Address: 2 Millstone Campus Drive Creve Coeur, MO 63146

20 October 2006

Edna Mode – at 17:40

Syracuse

PANDEMIC FLU FORUM WITH CDC

WHEN: Saturday, November 18, 2006 | 9 am to 3 pm

WHERE: Onondaga County Convention Center at Oncenter, Meeting Rooms #1, 2, & 3 Oncenter Complex, 800 S. State Street, Syracuse, NY 13202

COST: FREE (including lunch, refreshments, and parking validation)

This is the same deal as I posted on before for Seattle-King Counties. Unfortunately, these folks don’t have a sexy Web site, so spread the word!

However, you aren’t guaranteed a spot…

‘’* Registration must be limited to approximately one hundred citizen participants to assure a good discussion. We need a good mix of citizens similar to the population as a whole. Register early to improve your chances of being selected. Reimbursement for child care and transportation will be available.’‘

Here’s the text from the PDF (which I don’t know how to post):

Experts say chances of a deadly worldwide outbreak of flu are increasing.

Early in the outbreak, the United States will not have an adequate supply of vaccine or drugs and may have to use disease control measures such as closing schools and canceling major public gatherings.

Decisions about what control measures we should put in place and how they will work are not just for the experts to make.

They need your help.

Sign up now to spend a day getting the additional facts you need, talking frankly about pandemic flu with other citizens, and sharing your views for public health officials.

Participating organizations include: Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) | Center for Biopreparedness Education Education-Omaha | Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) | Omaha | Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) | F.O.C.U.S. (Forging Our Communities United Strength) F.O.C.U.S. (Forging Our Communities United Strength) Greater Syracuse Greater Syracuse | Georgia Department of Human Resources | Nebraska Health & Human Services System | New York State | Georgia Department of Human Resources | Nebraska Health & Human Services System | New York State Department of Health | Public Health Department of Health | Public HealthSeattle & King County | The Keystone Center Seattle & King County | The Keystone Center

WHEN: Saturday, November 18, 2006 | 9 am to 3 pm WHERE: Onondaga County Convention Center at Oncenter, Meeting Rooms #1, 2, & 3 Oncenter Complex, 800 S. State Street, Syracuse, NY 13202 FEE: free of charge for participants with breakfast, lunch & refreshments provided. PARKING: Reimbursement for parking will be provided at meeting for participants. REGISTER: To register for this important citizen group, please call F.O.C.U.S. at 1–315–448–8732 or 1–800–219–6670. DIRECTIONS: located downtown on the corner of South State Street & Harrison Street, or http://www.oncentercomplex.com/index.cfm. To register by fax: complete form on back and fax to 315–448–8036. To register by e-mail: send information requested on back of form to FOCUS@ci.syracuse.ny.us

Edna Mode – at 17:57

Here’s more information on the series of forums being held across the country…

The Public Engagement Project on Community Control Measures for Pandemic Influenza

Atlanta, GA on Oct. 28

Seattle, WA on Nov. 4

Lincoln, NE on Nov. 18

Syracuse, NY on Nov. 18

Washington, DC, Stakeholder Meeting, Nov. 29 & 30

You can download PDFs and/or access Web sites from this URL: http://tinyurl.com/ygydzf

JV – at 18:39

For the forum in Seattle on Nov 4th, go to this web site to sign up: http://tinyurl.com/mowf2

You must be a resident of King County.

22 October 2006

Anon 58 – at 14:39

‘Prepared. Not Scared.’ Next Stop - Philadelphia, November 14

Safe America’s initiative to prepare U.S. corporations for a Pandemic is moving full speed ahead. More than 350 business, civic and community leaders have attended the first two summits in New York and Chicago. The next stop will be the Philadelphia area on November 14. The conference will be hosted by the Campbell Soup Company and will be held at Campbell’s Dorrance Center, in Camden. N.J. An exciting and informative agenda is being developed including presentations by leading authorities from Homeland Security, the CDC and major international corporations. Additional summits are planned for the following cities San Diego and Los Angeles, Calif.; Kansas City, Mo.; Chicago; Omaha, NE; Atlanta; and Washington, D.C. Motorola is the official national sponsor of the ‘Prepared. Not Scared’ series of major summits, along with PA Consulting, JPS/Raytheon, Sprint and Booz Allen Hamilton. The Department of Homeland Security, the VA and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) are also collaborating in this program.

Registration at www.safeamerica.org

mj – at 15:12

Osterholm spoke at the West Virginia conference on the 18th. Did anyone get to go? Conference link here: http://tinyurl.com/y4rjqj

His presentation (44 page powerpoint) link is here; http://tinyurl.com/y5domv

This makes for interesting reading in parts. A great thing to show folks to give them concise points of information. Page 4 shows the same author/journalist at the New York Times reporting different views in month. Weird but normal. Page 11 talks of the mortality of the pandemic in 1580. Page 27 and I quote: “I wouldn’t want to bet my families’ life on H5N1 not becoming the next pandemic infuenza strain” and the next page is tough with death rates. Page 39 has a great statement: To do nothing is unacceptable…to promise protection is unethical. His last page is the one that has me concerned. “Community planning is not an option!” I hope he clarified that it was required, not optional. I thought of Goju’s reaction to that statement as written and not in context of the speech (hoping he expanded on the comment). Yikes.

Average Concerned Mom – at 16:03

I posted this over on the Keeping the Grid Up Thread but thought it should be here as well.

https://www.euci.com/conferences/december-06/1206-pandemic-influenza.php

Electric Utilities Consultant Inc. in Memphis Tenn.

Co-organized by Memphis Light, Gas and Water and EUCI, Pandemic Influenza: Utility and Infrastructure Preparedness is going to be the “cant miss” Pandemic Planning conference of 2006. If you attended an earlier pandemic conference youll still want to start 2007 with the information that will be disseminated at Pandemic Influenza: Maintaining Utility Operations and Business Continuity.

OVERVIEW: The moment when a natural occurrence, usually of low probability, becomes a disaster is based on the degree of preparedness for the specific event. We know that there will in fact be influenza pandemic such as we saw in 1918 and again in the middle of the twentieth century. The question is when and how infectious. Currently, the existing strains of H5N1 that are causing the most alarm have a long way to go regarding generations of mutation before they really pose a viable threat to humanity, especially in developed nations with sanitation and public health infrastructure. However, virus mutations are unpredictable and the influenza strain that ultimately leads to a pandemic may be closer to infectious stage than H5N1. The reason that utilities and all businesses need to have a pandemic preparedness plan is that pandemic flu could immobilize as much as 40 percent of the work force across all industry. This includes the water and power utility industry. Water is the backbone of our public health system and with an unsecured supply of infected water the virus will quickly spread. Our water supply can not be secured and treated without adequate electric power supply. Most, if not all, businesses require electricity for day to day business continuity. Without a pandemic influenza preparedness plan, utility companies will not be able to provide power to our public health or economic infrastructures.

Pandemic Influenza: Maintaining Utility Operations and Business Continuity will discuss in-depth what the issues are regarding human resources and utility business continuity, what the biggest barriers to success may be, perceived best practices for ameliorating the impact of a decreased workforce and lessons learned from previous drills and cases in which workforce was immobilized.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND:

(some quotes from the Agenda)

With the current threat of a new pandemic outbreak, many utility companies across the nation are in the process of developing response plans to protect their employees, maintain continuity of business operations, and preserve the ability to provide reliable utility services to their customers. A pandemic outbreak would create a unique threat and would initiate a response that each utility company more than likely would have to handle on its own. Each company would need to understand the specific pandemic threat, how it may spread, and its possible effects. After this understanding has been reached, a response plan that identifies each essential business function, possible policy changes, and proper reactionary steps needs to be developed. Pandemic Planning Conference for Utilities will address these topics and give each utility company a better understanding on how they should plan.

(snip)

This exercise will start with some situational assumptions such as: outbreak has begun, 40% workforce loss, loss of certain suppliers, and loss of critical positions or departments. Assumptions will also include preparedness items like: what has been stockpiled, what redundant supply lines have been established and what departments have been cross trained.

(snip)

A pandemic outbreak could be catastrophic to our ability to supply electric energy…without any forethought and planning in regards to our processes, day to day activities, employees and their families. Our ability to supply electric energy is contingent on the well-being of our employees, at work and at home. Employee education and redesign of daily interactions is crucial to a companys survival of a pandemic.

23 October 2006

bump – at 08:19
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