Former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Mike Leavitt said Americans need to prepare for a possible serious pandemic by stockpiling food, water and basic first aid. He also said local preparedness is the foundation of overall pandemic readiness.
Considering that the waves of a pandemic are anticipated to last six to eight weeks each, stockpiling a two-month supply of food and critical prescription medications is not a bad idea.
If there is a severe second wave of the pandemic this fall, hoarding and shortages are likely to occur at the first signs. Preparation is best done now.
Doing so sooner rather than later will also leave time for stores to restock and avoid contributing to the system-wide shortages that would accompany a severe flu pandemic.
-From a "guest essayist" column in the [Rochester, NY] Democrat and Chronicle, the August 1, 2009, issue, by Joseph Roscoe, a "research associate professor in the Behavioral Medicine Unit at the University of Rochester Cancer Center."
I must say that I was taken aback by the seriousness of this warning, given by someone obviously not a crank. I suggest that the entire article be read (it's not long). For our part, we are going to begin these preparations.
No comments:
Post a Comment