| As you and your family plan for the potential | | | | |
| of an influenza pandemic, think about the | | | | - Ask your employer how business will |
| challenges you might face, particularly if a | | | | continue during a pandemic. |
| pandemic is severe. You can start to prepare | | | | |
| now to be able to respond to these | | | | - Discuss staggered shifts or working at home |
| challenges. The following are some challenges | | | | with your employer. |
| you or your family may face and | | | | |
| recommendations to help you cope. | | | | - Discuss telecommuting possibilities and |
| | | | needs, accessing remote networks, and using |
| ESSENTIAL SERVICES YOU DEPEND ON MAY BE | | | | portable computers. |
| DISRUPTED; | | | | |
| | | | - Discuss possible flexibility in leave |
| Plan for the possibility that usual services | | | | policies. |
| may be disrupted. These could include | | | | |
| services provided by hospitals and other | | | | - Discuss with your employer how much leave |
| healthcare facilities, banks, restaurants, | | | | you can take to care for yourself or a family |
| government offices, telephone and cellular | | | | member. |
| phone companies, and post offices. | | | | |
| | | | - Plan for possible loss of income if you are |
| Stores may close or have limited supplies. | | | | unable to work or the company you work for |
| Taking stock of the items you and your family | | | | temporarily closes. |
| require now on a daily basis will help you | | | | |
| determine what items you should stockpile to | | | | SCHOOLS AND DAYCARE CENTERS MAY BE CLOSED FOR |
| help you manage without these services | | | | AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME; |
| | | | |
| Transportation services may be disrupted and | | | | - Schools, and potentially public and private |
| you may not be able to rely on public | | | | preschool, childcare, trade schools, and |
| transportation. Plan to take fewer trips and | | | | colleges and universities may be closed to |
| store essential supplies. | | | | limit the spread of flu in the community and |
| | | | to help prevent children from becoming sick. |
| Public gatherings, such as volunteer meetings | | | | |
| and worship services, may be canceled. | | | | - Other school-related activities and |
| Prepare contact lists including conference | | | | services could also be disrupted or cancelled |
| calls, telephone chains, and email | | | | including: clubs, sports/sporting events, |
| distribution lists, to access or distribute | | | | music activities, and school meals. School |
| necessary information. | | | | closings would likely happen very early in a |
| | | | pandemic and could occur on short notice. |
| Consider that the ability to travel, even by | | | | |
| car if there are fuel shortages, may be | | | | - Talk to your teachers, administrators, and |
| limited. | | | | parent-teacher organizations about your |
| | | | school's pandemic plan, and offer your help. |
| You should also talk to your family about | | | | |
| where family members and loved ones will go | | | | - Plan now for children staying at home for |
| in an emergency and how they will receive | | | | extended periods of time, as school closings |
| care, in case you cannot communicate with | | | | may occur along with restrictions on public |
| them. | | | | gatherings, such as at malls, movie theaters. |
| | | | |
| In a pandemic, there may be widespread | | | | - Plan home learning activities and exercises |
| illness that could result in the shut down of | | | | that your children can do at home. Have |
| local ATMs and banks. Keep a small amount of | | | | learning materials, such as books, school |
| cash or traveler's checks in small | | | | supplies, and educational computer activities |
| denominations for easy use. | | | | and movies on hand. |
| | | | |
| FOOD AND WATER SUPPLIES MAY BE INTERRUPTED | | | | - Talk to teachers, administrators, and |
| AND LIMITED; | | | | parent-teacher organizations about possible |
| | | | activities, lesson plans, and exercises that |
| Food and water supplies may be interrupted so | | | | children can do at home if schools are |
| temporary shortages could occur. You may also | | | | closed. This could include continuing courses |
| be unable to get to a store. To prepare for | | | | by TV or the internet. |
| this possibility you should store at least | | | | |
| one to two weeks supply of non-perishable | | | | - Plan entertainment and recreational |
| food and fresh water for emergencies more if | | | | activities that your children can do at home. |
| you have the room and the budget for it. | | | | Have materials, such as reading books, |
| Heres a basic guide for what you should plan | | | | coloring books, and games, on hand for your |
| to have on hand; | | | | children to use. |
| | | | |
| FOOD | | | | MEDICAL CARE FOR PEOPLE WITH CHRONIC ILLNESS |
| | | | COULD BE DISRUPTED; |
| - Store two weeks of nonperishable food. | | | | |
| | | | - In a severe pandemic, hospitals and |
| - Select foods that do not require | | | | doctors' offices may be overwhelmed. |
| refrigeration, preparation (including the use | | | | |
| of water), or cooking. | | | | - If you have a chronic disease, such as |
| | | | heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, |
| - Insure that formulas for infants and any | | | | asthma, or depression, you should continue |
| child's or older person's special nutritional | | | | taking medication as prescribed by your |
| needs are a part of your planning. | | | | doctor. |
| | | | |
| WATER | | | | - Make sure you have necessary medical |
| | | | supplies such as glucose and blood-pressure |
| - Store two weeks of water, 1 gallon of water | | | | monitoring equipment. |
| per person per day. (2 quarts for drinking, 2 | | | | |
| quarts for food preparation/sanitation), in | | | | - Talk to your healthcare provider to ensure |
| clean plastic containers. Avoid using | | | | adequate access to your medications. |
| containers that will decompose or break, such | | | | |
| as milk cartons or glass bottles. | | | | - If you receive ongoing medical care such as |
| | | | dialysis, chemotherapy, or other therapies, |
| BEING ABLE TO WORK MAY BE DIFFICULT OR | | | | talk with your health care provider about |
| IMPOSSIBLE; | | | | plans to continue care during a pandemic. |