In Case of Emergency, Read This Blog

In Case Of Emergency, Read Blog

A Citizen’s Eye View of Public Preparedness

Entries from October 2009

New Edition — “It’s A Disaster…And What Are You Going To Do About It”

October 31st, 2009 · No Comments

I wanted to mention that two friends of the blog, Bill and Janet Liebsch from FedHealth, have just published the 5th edition of their book, It’s A Disaster…And What Are You Going To Do About It. The book can be customized for government agencies, businesses, volunteer groups, nonprofits and others. For more information about FedHealth and [...]

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Tags: Preparedness Resources

White House Blog Advises Against Post-Game Handshakes, Recommends Pre-Game Handwashing For Kids Sports Teams As Part of H1N1 Flu Prevention Effort

October 30th, 2009 · No Comments

The White House Blog is recommending that kids sports teams have their players wash their hands before games and do not shake hands afterwards to help prevent the spread of the H1N1 flu.
In a post titled, ” Flu Prevention Tips on the Fields,” Katie Stanton, “Director of Citizen Participation and a Soccer Mom,” writes:
“If your [...]

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Tags: Child Preparedness · Pandemic Flu · Preparedness Tips

Some Last-Minute Ideas For (Preparedness-Themed) Halloween Costumes; Also, Some H1N1 Safety “Tricks” From Red Cross’ Chief Nurse

October 30th, 2009 · 1 Comment

The always helpful and creative folks at the Cross Blog have offered some preparedness-related ideas for those still looking for costumes in a post titled, “Halloween Red Cross-Style”:
“If you’re also having a hard time figuring out a costume for this year, I’ve got some inspiration for you. How about showing off your Red Cross knowledge and [...]

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Tags: Humor · Red Cross

At NYC H1N1 Vaccine Kickoff, Health Commissioner, School Chancellor & Media Help Students Get Through Shots/Spray; Officials Aim To Get Parental Permissions Up

October 29th, 2009 · 1 Comment

Like most kids, I never liked getting shots when I was younger. Yesterday morning, I was recalling those days and thinking whether it would have been easier had they been given with the Health Commissioner, the School Chancellor and a room full of television cameras in the room.
That’s exactly how students at P.S. 157 in [...]

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Tags: Media · Pandemic Flu · Preparedness Events

DisasterRecoveryWorkingGroup.Gov Launched By HUD, DHS To Solicit Public Comments

October 28th, 2009 · No Comments

U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano today announced the launch of DisasterRecoveryWorkingGroup.gov—a new interagency website that will allow federal disaster recovery officials to solicit comments from state, local and tribal partners and the public. According to the press release:
The new website will be used by the federal [...]

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Tags: Department of Homeland Security

New Video With WMD Commission’s Graham & Talent Asks ‘Why Weren’t H1N1 Vaccines Available For Children Before School Started?’; Urges Public To Push On Improving U.S. Vaccination Capability

October 28th, 2009 · No Comments

In a new video, Bob Graham and Jim Talent of the Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism, ask: “Why weren’t H1N1 vaccines available for children before school started?” and urge the public to pressure government officials to improve the speed and capacity of U.S. vaccine production.
The two-minute video (below) [...]

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Tags: Biological Terrorism · Pandemic Flu

Can I Go Back To Writing “Swine Flu” Again If The New York Times Is? — Why The Term “H1N1″ Has Not Completely Spread Throughout The Media

October 27th, 2009 · 4 Comments

In the Spring, when federal officials requested that the media to use the term “H1N1″ instead  of “Swine Flu” to describe the pandemic, I — being the obedient oldest child that I am — followed their instructions and have been careful not to write “Swine Flu” in any of subsequent blog posts.
However, I continue to [...]

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Tags: Media · Pandemic Flu

With H1N1 Flu News Breaking All The Time (& From All Over The World), Volunteer “Newshounds” Are Helping Collect/Analyze/Translate It For The Benefit Of Their Fellow Citizens

October 26th, 2009 · 1 Comment

With news on H1N1 coming in fast and furious — and from all corners of the world — Mike Coston at Avian Flu Diary highlights the volunteer citizens who are helping to gather and analyze it for their fellow members of the public. In his post “Drinking From The Fire Hose,” Coston writes:
“With flu season [...]

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Tags: Pandemic Flu · Preparedness Resources · Volunteer Opportunities

Ben Smilowitz/Disaster Accountability Project: “Ask Questions” (’What Should We Tell The Public?’)

October 25th, 2009 · 1 Comment

This “What Should We Tell The Public?” video features Ben Smilowitz, founder and executive director of the Disaster Accountability Project (DAP). After serving as a volunteer in Mississippi in the weeks following Hurricane Katrina, Ben decided there was a need to provide citizen oversight for government and non-profit agencies esponsible for disaster preparedness, response, relief, [...]

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Tags: "What Should We Tell The Public?"

Obama Declares H1N1 “National Emergency” To Help Health System Respond To Surge In Cases

October 24th, 2009 · 1 Comment

President Obama has signed a proclamation declaring the H1N1 flu a “national emergency,” according to Reuters:
The proclamation, which Obama signed Friday night, will make it easier for U.S. medical facilities to handle a surge in flu patients by allowing the waiver of some requirements of Medicare, Medicaid and other federal health insurance programs as needed, [...]

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Tags: Pandemic Flu · President Obama · Public Health Preparedness