A continuation of reviews of the US state plans.
Indiana is a hard state to discuss. The pandemic flu plan from their health department was last updated on August 23 2005. However, their Department of Homeland Security has a plan that was updated on May 2006. I would say Indiana is between and 2nd and 3rd generation pandemic flu plan. They have the components for a comprehensive plan, but they haven’t been integrated yet. Hopefully, that will be coming soon. The health department plan is well-organized and well-written but unfortunately relies on the CDC FluSurge program for planning purposes. According to the CDC, the worst case scenario is an attack rate of 35% and a CFR of .2%. As has been mentioned previously, this contradicts the HHS Pandemic Planning Assumptions which require that states plan for a severe pandemic, defined as an attack rate of 30% and a CFR of 2%. Hopefully, Indiana will re-adjust their planning assumptions to comply with HHS guidance and ignore the confusing information coming from the CDC.
Anyone who has been following the news will have noticed that Allen County Indiana (basically Fort Wayne) has launched an intensive flu preparedness campaign which recommends stockpiling food and other supplies. It is important to note that some Cities within a state will be more forward thinking than others.
The most interesting thing about the Iowa plan is that Iowa Department of Public Health is hiding it - really well. It’s not anywhere on their site. But don’t worry, I found it. Here it is.
It was last updated October 2005. It’s a standard first generation panflu plan. Strictly medical response, no consideration of infrastructure. They assume a 35% attack rate and a .2% CFR as the worst case scenario. They have a link to Protect Iowa Health that recommeds storing 3 days of food and water.
On Oct 6, 2006, Dr. Nancy Cox, the person at the CDC in charge of panflu prep, came back to her native Iowa and had this to say as reported by the DesMoines Register:
In an interview after her lecture, Cox said health leaders must balance the need to portray the seriousness of the threat with concerns about needlessly panicking the public.
Here’s an idea: How about just telling people the truth and trusting them to deal with it. We don’t need a Communications department to massage the message. We’re not that stupid.
The people here in Iowa don’t have much of a clue, they don’t hear about it. I sent the press release to every paper in Iowa I could find, I’m betting the des moines register doesn’t print it. Is Iowa one of the states that has been written off IYO?
Thanks!
KimT – at 23:02
Is Iowa one of the states that has been written off IYO?
Acutally no, I don’t think so. What’s interesting is that they don’t publicize their plan. I suspect they have a newer one than the one I link to, but it’s hidden (even from my prying eyes). I wonder why.
Even if Iowans do no planning whatsoever, they are in pretty good shape. Iowa has fantastic black dirt as far as the eye can see and a relatively low population density. No reason for anyone to starve there. It will be relatively easy for many cities in Iowa to seal themselves off from vehicles. Many people already know how to live independently in farm communities. Des Moines will have problems, but probably much less than Detroit, Chicago or the Twin Cities.
Iowa will play a central role in any attempt to rebuild after a very severe pandemic.
Thanks, I have begun to worry about my town, a few smaller towns have had realastic info in the paper, but not Des Moines, a few public meetings in town back in may and june but they were useless, I made them mad with my questions, they made me mad with their answers.
KimT, “I made them mad with my questions, they made me mad with their answers” -That about sums up the pre-pandemic alert period.
Monotreme at 22:58
With regards to Dr. Cox of the CDC and her comments about “needlessly panicking the public”…
I think I have figured it out. To keep the public calm, avoid the word “death”.
This works OK in plans for the general public. (They don’t really need to know….though they will NOT pay attention until you start using the words “lots of deaths”. But that’s just my opinion.)
Works less well in hospital plans. (And those pesky health care workers are starting to read between the lines). But if they shut down hospitals, not the end of the world.
Works really badly with utility companies.
Average Concerned Mom – at 13:52
Here’s a post from Pixie – at 14:22 on the Keeping the Grid up thread.
When Julie Gerberding’s participation in my state’s pandemic conference was cancelled and she was replaced with another speaker, the people at State practically did cartwheels. It was felt her message would not be stark enough. I think some of the states are very aware that the CDC is acting as an apologist for a “don’t worry” mindset that at least my state had the sense to distrust. That being the case, I am not sure where they can go for truly accurate and timely information, as that is supposed to be the role of the CDC.
I don’t think the problem at the CDC is only Dr. Gerberding. Dr. Cox is the flu chief there and has been for a long time. While other senior scientists have been bolting for the door, she gets the federal employee of the year award. No way that happens without Dr. Gerberding’s strong endorsement. You can bet Gerberding and Cox are in cahoots when it comes to underestimating the worst case scenario and massaging the message because they think we’ll panic if they tell the truth.
I don’t think the CDC is reliable source of information. They think the public are children who need to be told white lies to avoid panicing them. How insulting. Also, how dangerous. They tell the same white lies to the Department of Energy and the State health departments, which results in a lack of prepartion in both organizations.
All states and government agencies should ignore the CDC and, instead, use the HHS Pandemic Planning Assumptions put out by Secretary Leavit. Please mention the pandemicflu.gov site whenever you talk to anyone in your state who insists on using the .2% CFR. According to the HHS, states should be planning for a 2% CFR. Secretary Leavitt is Dr. Gerberding’s boss. I wish he would remind her of this.
[Note, obviously I think the worst case scenario is likely to be much worse than 2%, but use of that number will result in much better planning than .2%]
Kansas has a standard first generation panflu plan - a purely medical response to a mild pandemic. Kansas assumes an attack rate of 37% and a CFR of .25%. They mention the possibility of “snow days” a la CDC. They anticipate SIP for several days. They mention infrastructure in passing but provide no details.
Sorry Jayhawks.
From my Sunday newspaper today, Oct.8, 2006- Watertown Daily Times (upstate n.y.)
an article on the Akwesasne Mohawks in Hogansburg, “taking a proactive approach to the threat of a pandemic like the deadly avian flu. Across the country and state, agencies have been working to formulate stragegy for a flu pandemic, from counties to colleges. Emergency service training, PUBLIC EDUCATION, and even animal head counts represent the beginnings of a plan to take on an outbreak of it happens in Mohawk border community. “We’re going on a year now” said Sarah Lee Diabo, director of the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe Emergency Planning Office. “We’re taking an all hazard approach. we don’t want to panic them, we want them to be aware.” Hight priorities include educating the general public on key plan points like people staying put, and out of emergency rooms where they can infect emergency personnel. an emergency response team would work to keep people out of care centers.”
Wish I could read more articles like that!
Monotreme- I agree about Kansas. We are in big denial. Here’s just a little bit of a newspaper chat that took place in May (when that TV movie came out) with members of our DOH.
“DOH rep: Pandemic flu planning has been underway in Kansas since 1999. The Kansas Pandemic Flu Plan is available on the Kansas Department of Health and Environment’s website at www.kdheks.gov. Local pandemic flu planning is currently underway in every Kansas county. Local health departments have developed a Bioterrorism Preparedness Plan, much of which will be relevant to development of their pandemic flu plans. The state is prepared to receive the Strategic National Stockpile, which contains pharmaceuticals and other medical items, and to distribute it statewide. Local health departments are either prepared or are developing the plan to receive the pharmaceuticals and to dispense medications through large-scale clinics.
DOH Rep: We believe that pandemic flu is likely to occur. No one knows how severe its impact may be, but public health officials agree that some of the scenarios in the movie are highly unlikely. The last two pandemic that took place this century were such that many people didn’t even know they had occurred. The estimate we are using in Kansas is that a flu pandemic might cause up to 2,500 deaths in our state. Nationally, this number is projected at up to 207,000 deaths.”
I questioned them on this at the time as their worst case (live chat) and received no response. I also noted their idea of using “large-scale clinics” <shudder>
This is your grain belt folks, bread basket of the US. We’ve got the food- but hope isn’t the plan that would get it to you in a worst case.
lauralou,
Even with no planning, Kansans will probably do better than most people because they are in the grain belt. Also, a relatively low population density should help. Kansas is similar to Iowa in this respect.
The problem is that without planning, farm yields will drop precipitously and little will be shipped out of the grain belt. The lack of planning for a severe pandemic in Kansas should be of great concern to New Yorkers.
However, as mentioned on many threads, New Yorkers have no idea of the peril they’re in.
Monotreme, yes- my thoughts exactly. Our lack of planning could start a domino effect in the food supply chain that would be far more dangerous to others than to us.
Kentucky’s plan is well-written, if lacking in some details. It’s a second generation plan - medical response plus a tie-in to Emergency Operations, but the two components are not integrated.
They advise storing food and water for several days to a week’s time.
Assumptions. 35% is the worst case attack rate. The most likely CFR is estimated to be 0.2% (per the CDC). The maximum death rate is said to be 0.4%. Looks like they just doubled the CDC number.
Some interesting quotes:
Transferring resources among or between affected areas will be difficult.
and
Public health must appear assured and prepared or the general public’s concern may become public panic.
Louisiana’s plan was updated September 2006. It’s a second generation plan. The overall response will be run out of the Governor’s office and there is a link between the health department panflu response and emergency operations, but integration of these two aspects has not yet occurred.
One of the best thing about the plan is that they include the possibility of a severe pandemic in their assumptions (2.5% CFR and 30% attack rate.) They acknowledge that a severe pandemic would be very difficultto deal with:
…a severe pandemic would cause 3,000 hosptializations/day (impossible to handle with only 20,000 beds).
Kudos to whomever wrote the Louisiana plan. They had the courage to tell the truth. Now, they need to make it clear to the public that they need to prepare to SIP for 6 to 8 weeks. They also need to work on essential worker preparation, especially at the power plants, refineries and water treatment plants. Special consideration should also be given to the rice farmers who produce much of the rice in the US (Arkansas produces the most).
Thanks, Monotreme, on doing these state plans. As a Kentuckian, I havn’t been hearing a whole lot about Bird Flu in particular, but I am seeing/hearing general Emergency Prepardness ad/public service anouncements LAst spring there were several conferences and I read some hospital plans. I havn’t heard much lately, but I’m not out and about as much as I was last spring.
Still no Washington plan?
There was only the King County info, when I looked a while ago for their mass fatality management plans (started at the opposite end of the alphabet from Monotreme).
Olymom; just Preparing for Pandemic Influenza: A Washington state Overviewhave enough for a week or more
(So much for People need timely, accurate information – especially during emergencies. They want to know what is happening and what they can do. Clear, understandable information can provide direction and calm fears. That is why public information is such a crucial part of effective emergency planning and response ? )
I don’t want fears calmed as much as I want Continuity of the People…
Timely information would be to tell them to stock up now, because pandemic would impact them for months and by definition, once it starts, it is too late to prepare, only time to suffer consequences.
Green Mom – at 23:09
You’re welcome.
Olymom – at 00:50
Last time I checked, Washington state did not make their full plan public as crfullmoon indicates. Perhaps by the time I get to the W’s.
King County (Seattle) has done alot of planning and seems to be in pretty good shape.
bumped by a Marylander
Unfortunately my computer (and another who has tried) can’t seem to get into the King County public health website. It hangs up every time. So plans that are not accessible and no plans — I did get invited to a Thurston county meeting set for next week. Maybe some action at last. Thanks for all your work.
Last updated July 22, 2005 They assume a 25% attack rate and .3% CFR, per CDC software. Recommend 3 day emergency supplies. This is basically a first generation medical response plan. They do mention some of the critical infrastructure workers, but just in passing. There is no indication that active planning to keep infrastructure up is going on.
They have quite alot about restricting movements. They may recommend snow days and SIP. They also reserve the right to “Restrict access routes” and use checkpoints to prevent movement in or out of designated areas. They can restrict all forms of travel (air, rail, water, motor and pedestrian). They can also restrict geographic re-locations.
Massachustts next, then Maryland, Chesapeake
Olymom – at 15:40
I just tried the King County Pandemic Flu site and didn’t have any problems. You might want to try again.
Chesapeake, I can’t spell. Maryland is next!
The Maryland pandemic flu plan was last updated April 2002. It’s impressive that they had a panflu plan back in 2002, but it’s probably time for another update.
The Maryland plan is a 2nd generation plan - primarily a health response plan with strong links to more general emergency operations. Its fairly well-detailed, especially considering that it was written back in 2002. It’s much better than the DC plan which was written very recently.
It’s hard to tell what their current assumptions are. They say for a moderate pandemic, the attack rate would be 18% and the CFR would be 1%. For a severe pandemic, they expect an attack rate of 35%, but do *not* say what the CFR would be. Once again, public health officials appear to be afraid of telling people the truth.
Really, guys, we can handle it. We promise we won’t go running through the streets screaming if you say it might be 2.5% - or even 50%. We’ll just buy alot of rice and beans and bottled water.
Thanks Monotreme-
Chesapeake,
You’re welcome. MA next!
The pandemic flu plan for Massachusetts was last updated January 2006. It is a 2nd generation plan, ie, heavy on medical intervention but does attempt to link emergency operations. The management structure is easily the most complex of all of the plans I have examined. Lines of authority are unclear. The Department of Public Health appears to be in charge, but they have to ask the governor’s office to declare a state of emergency for alot of the provisions to kick in. Overall, the decision-making by various committees seems to unwieldy to be practical in the midst of a severe pandemic.
The medical planning is very detailed. One interesting issue that is discussed is “mandatory vaccinations of health care workers.” Forcible vaccination is discussed although not clearly endorsed.
The plan assumes a maximum of 10,000 deaths which seems very optimistic to me. They assume a 35% attack rate in a worst case scenario. The worst case CFR is .45%. All their numbers come from the CDC FluAid 1.0 program. They point out that the FluAid gets its assumptions from this paper:
The Economic Impact of Pandemic Influenza in the United States: Priorities for Intervention
We estimated the possible effects of the next influenza pandemic in the United States and analyzed the economic impact of vaccine-based interventions. Using death rates, hospitalization data, and outpatient visits, we estimated 89,000 to 207,000 deaths; 314,000 to 734,000 hospitalizations; 18 to 42 million outpatient visits; and 20 to 47 million additional illnesses.
States that rely on these ridiculous assumptions for their planning are in deep trouble. Sorry Massachusetts.
It’s pure torture being at the bottom of the alphabet. :(
EnoughAlready – at 07:49
Sorry, but once we get through the “N’s” it’ll go alot faster.
Oh, you are doing a GREAT job! I am just on pins-&-needles waiting for Texas! Patience is not my strong suite! Actually, I’ve been glad to have the info for the other states and I’m especially looking forward to Oklahoma and New Mexico reports. Was also glad to see Louisiana’s. Thanks for your hard work, Monotreme. BTW, it’s still torture being at the end!
EnoughAlready, ;-) you can just go look at your state’s plan yourself, ya know! Don’t suffer!
(And I tried to start at the end of the alphabet for looking for Mass Fatality Plans, but, they are even sketchier than the overall state plans…if I find a newer state pandemic plan I try to edit it in, so Monotreme has a recent one on the Wiki)
Oh, and Massachusetts’ Mormon Govenor, that would like to step to the White House, has not been telling the public to provide against a pandemic year. (None of the candidates for govenor will mention it, either!) He asked for money for vents and vax, and the legislature was puzzled why to agree on that, so, nothing has been bought yet. Perhaps the money should just be passed, and divided to the communities, and tell them to buy “continuity of the public” meds and food and imported essential parts… and tell the public their community has the responsibilty to meet their needs without outside help during pandemic, so, we better get in gear. We’ve wasted a year already.
crfullmoon – at 10:32
I have, I do, I will! I am HOPING they get “updated” before Monotreme gets to Texas. You know… past the talk, into the walk phase. Thanks!
Your Gov is a Mormon… in Mass… and he isn’t advocating prepping. That’s a tad ironic.
EnoughAlready – at 10:11
Thanks!
Michigan’s plan was last updated in March 2006. In spite of the recent update, it’s a first generation plan, although I use the word “plan” loosely. It uses CDC “moderate”, ie, ridiculously optimistic projections: 35% attack rate, .44% CFR.
This “plan” is hodgepodge of excerpts and references to Michigan’s All Hazards plan, excerpts cribbed from CDC and WHO websites, random health forms, and recipes for pasties. OK, I made the last one up. It would be a better plan if it did list recipes for pasties. A few of those would feed a family for a few weeks.
This is the worst state plan I have read so far. The DC plan was even worse, but DC isn’t a state.
Whoever wrote this piece of crap is lazy and incompetent. Good thing I’m in a good mood tonight or I’d really tear it apart.
Monotreme-at22:00 I was hoping you would find something I had missed. Thanks for looking at Michigan.
Michigan Mom – at 09:52
Sorry to be so harsh on Michigan’s plan, but I thought you all should know that your state does not have it’s act together.
Montotreme at 11:09 Sorry to be so harsh on Michigan’s plan, but I thought you all should know that your state does not have it’s act together.
Hmmm…. and to think many county plans refer to our wonderfull state response plan! We in Michigan really need to fend for ourself when TSHTF. Thanks for the honest review Monotreme.
Monotreme-at11:09
I looked and looked for more info from the state. One thing your assessment let me know I didn’t miss anything, cuz it wasn’t there! I also live with the happy fact that I live 10 mi. from Tuscola Co. and 12 mi. from St. Clair Co. Do you think H5N1 will stop at the county line? :) lol Thanks to the good people on FW we are well on our way to being preped.
ChuckE and Michigan Mom,
Thanks for your comments. They illustrate why I’m doing these reviews. We all know the federal government is not going to help us, but we need know what we can expect from our states. In Michigan, the answer is: Not much.
Monotreme, Ive contacted the govenors office the puplic health dept, state representitives and I dont know who else. All I can say is this state is in deep dog doo if a pandemic strikes. My local government seems to think they will follow the states lead! Im not surprised that you came to the conclusion that Mich. plan is the worst. Unfortunatly hospitals, businesses and many local governments are just following the lead of the state. Ive decided to abandon ship and leave the state if H5 hits.
janetn – at 20:38
Ive decided to abandon ship and leave the state if H5 hits.
If that’s your plan, you had better be ready to move awful quick. The states that are planning are planning on restricting travel into their states. I suspect they have had a look at some of their neighboring states lack of preparedness and come to certain conclusions. If a pandemic begins with a very high CFR, expect the highways to be closed almost immediately. The backroads may be open a bit longer, but see the City Triage thread for the distinctly inhospitable welcome that is already being planned for people who plan to travel through rural areas looking for refuge.
Even though Michigan is doing no real planning for a pandemic, there are areas there that I think might do OK. In the UP, there are still some people who know how to be self-sufficient. Housing is cheap up there. Might be worth buying a small house or cabin that you can make self-sufficient. But if you plan to do something like that, you really need to do that ahead of time and get to know your new neighbors. Strangers are not going to be welcome anywhere during a very severe pandemic.
It doesn’t matter who you talk to, in Michigan we bury our heads in the sand like ostriches. I am probably the only Adult Foster Care Home in Michigan that is prepared, Thanks to MIchigan Mom who happens to be the only relative I kept from my first divorce. I know she is out there lurking in the shadows.
Monotreme Im heading to my daughters in Indy. She is prepped to the hilt. My home is not in the UP buts it is in the middle of the Mannistee National Forest. My neighbors are not a concern as they could all survive without much of a infrastructure. Id stay home but Im afraid the Natl. Guard will be coming for me, I dont trust TPTB. I have no intention of working without PPEs and from what Ive seen their aint going to be any. Im safer out of state. Plus my baby grandson is in Indy and if he were to get sick Id at least be of some value to him.
Maid in Mich. Good for you!!!!!!!! Which side of the state are you on? Ive thought about getting into the AFC business myself, what do you think?
Anyone for heading to Lansing before the election and scareing a few politicians into doing something ? I bet we could get soem coverage at least. [ Its the ol hippie in me talking]
janetn – at 21:53
Anyone for heading to Lansing before the election and scareing a few politicians into doing something ? I bet we could get some coverage at least.
Now that’s a great idea. You might want to take a look at the Minnesota site before you go. Although you should sit down first. The Minnesota plans were written by professionals. Rave review coming up.
The Michigan plan looks like it was written by a lazy 7th grader. You know the type. When they are given a topic to write a paper on they google the topic and then copy and paste excerpts from different sites. Maybe they re-arrange some of the sentences to make it look like they wrote it themselves. But they could care less about the content, they’re just doing it because they have to do something or they would get into trouble.
Monotreme, I have read the MI plan and I think your being to kind in your assesment. I might want to refer a reporter or two to the Minn plan for comparision. Wish me luck in finding a reporter who will listen. I sure didnt have any luck with the government officials I spoke to.
So whos up for a trip to the capitol I hear Lansing is just wonderful this time of year. Any takers! Side benefit we would all meet face to face.
Wow, what a difference a State makes!
I had high expectations because Minnesota is Michael Osterholm’s home state and because Mayo is located there, but I have to say, they were exceeded. But I still managed to find a few things to criticise ;-)
Minnesota’s plan is not quite a third generation plan, more like 2 and a half. There are a number of plans and annexes, but the two main plans are from the Department of Health and the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. It would be better if these plans were merged in some way. I think what’s needed is a master plan that covers the basics for each relevant agency and explains the interactions between the different agencies. Details for each agency would be annexes of the master plan. Minnesota almost has this, but not quite. As in the federal plan, lines of authority are unclear. There may be behind the scences jockying between Homeland Security and the Department of Health. If so, they should be resolved. If a severe pandemic occurs, the Governor’s office should run the show. The medical response will be important, but keeping vital infrastructure going will be even more important. If a mild pandemic occurs, the Department of Health could handle it.
The Department of Health plan was last updated April 2006. First they state that they use CDC numbers for CFR which come out to .05% to .25% but later they say they are planning for a 2% CFR. Still later, they use numbers for projected dead that assume a very low CFR. They need to decide what numbers they are going to go with. I would suggest at least 2%. Other than that, no real criticisms. This plan is over 300 pages and was clearly the result of very extensive discussions. It is very well thought out. Lots of discussion of social distancing, working from home and use of PPE by essential workers. This plan could easily serve as a model for other states.
The Homeland Security Plan (available at Ready Minnesota) was last updated March 24 2006. An attack rate of 30% is assumed and CFR of 2%. Cross training of essential workers is encouraged. JIT is explictly mentioned. PPE for essential workers is recommended.
One thing that will trouble many is the following: Evaluate whether or not employees can be ordered to come to work, and the difference between sworn and non-sworn employee’s requirements Perhaps one of our lawyers can parse that one. I give Minnesota credit for making this public. This is the time for anyone who has reservations about this to voice them.
The major missing pieces to these plans are water and power plants. I don’t think these vital services should be treated as businesses or purely local concerns. Prepping at these facilities should be mandatory. I realize that new laws may be necessary to acheive this.
janetn – at 22:43
Good luck!
I hope citizens and journalists and politicians are getting shown how their state’s pandemic preparedness plans measure up to Monotreme’s scrutiny.
(And they should be glad to be getting such a person’s opinion for free!)
crfullmoon – at 23:12
Thanks, but I’m not sure Michigan’s public health officials would agree ;-)
MICHIGAN FLUWIKIANS…..Waiting to hear when we are going to Lansing….Meet you there…
Free flu shot clinic volunteers needed
Special to The Facts The Facts
Published November 06, 2006
ALVIN — Brazoria County Public Health Emergency Preparedness Team will provide 2000 free flu shots to county residents Nov. 18 at two sites in the county.
Flu shots will be given in the back parking areas of Alvin High School and in the parking lot of the old movie theater located next to Brazos Mall from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. or until all the shots have been given.
“This flu shot clinic not only helps the residents of the county prepare for flu season, but it also helps the Public Health Emergency Preparedness Team test its capability to deal with all types of Public Health Emergencies,” said Bill Ray, executive director of the Homeland Preparedness Project.
The points of distribution are part of the county’s plan to provide preventive medication to county residents in case of an emergency. The centers are staffed with medical professionals and volunteers from the county’s Medical Reserve Corps. These volunteers receive training that allows them to operate the centers and work under the County Emergency Operations Plan.
“In order to implement the county plan for dealing with a countywide emergency, we need 2,500 volunteers to show up. Right now, we have about 400 volunteers on the list”, Ray said.
Training for the volunteers is free and consists of a 3-hour orientation provided by Homeland Preparedness Project at various locations around the county. No previous medical training is required.
Volunteers who complete the orientation and help during the flu shot clinic will be eligible to get their flu shots before the points of distribution open. In case of an emergency, the volunteers and their immediate families will receive their medication before the medication is given to the general public.
“We want to make sure that our volunteers are well so that they can help everyone else, and we want to make sure their families are protected so they can concentrate on providing medication to everyone else,” Ray said.
For orientation times and locations, visit www.homelandpreparedness.org and click on the “Calendar” link. Orientations also can be scheduled for groups of 20 or more by calling (281) 844–3653.
http://thefacts.com/print.lasso?ewcd=d8f7aab5b9c262df
My town made google news search!! Texas preemptive post! Just trying to light a fire under my states britches. And… help out Monotreme ~:)
Note: 2,500 volunteers needed
Note, if this had been more than a pandemic alert period, the homeland would need preparedness for coping 6 to 9 months (a wave or two or three?) with no pandemic vaccine, no antivirals, disruption of imported Rx meds/normal hospital care/911 response, and by not counting on any federal, state, nor mutual aid.
What ever happened to Monotreme? I haven’t seen a post from him in about a week?
Go look on the Ask questions of the moderators XIX thread. All will be answered there…. maybe.
I had hoped Monotreme would produce a spreadsheet comparing the state plans so we could locate the best parts of other states’ plans and put pressure on our own state to add those features. If he’s checking this, I hope he responds. At least let us know if he plans to continue the state-by-state analysis, and where we’ll be able to see what he’s done so far.
I think the most useful thing for any state would be to tell their citizens what the US pandemiflu.gov site says, what the WHO Ten things they thought you needed to know Oct 2005 about pandemic influneza were, and what their state pandemic flu summits said, and, what HHS Sec Leavitt said in MN: Dec.2005
“Any state, any community, or for that matter any citizen that failed to prepare -assuming that the federal government could take care of them during a pandemic - would be tragically wrong,”
(darn; can’t type when I’m in a hurry- should be offline by now -sorry)