Are You Ready for the Next Big Emergency?
A
colleague of mine is the volunteer Emergency Preparedness Coordinator
for a large geographic area in our County. He is responsible to
provide hundreds of area families with emergency preparedness warnings,
specific how-to-be-prepared instructions for any emergency, and other
helpful suggestions and communications assistance. It's a complex and
difficult assignment. He reports to an regional supervisor and has
contacts with County and State Health Departments.
Emergencies,
both man-made and natural, are always a looming threat to humans. In
virtually very case, however, many people are found to be not only
unaware of impending emergencies, but most are truly unprepared for
them when they arrive. Many unprepared people suffer far more serious
consequences as a result. Recent emergencies in the US, such as
floods, hurricanes, tornados, forest and brush fires, earthquakes and
winter storms have caused havoc and many lives and $billions in
property have been lost.
The
most recent impending emergency could become among the worst in our
history--the bird flu pandemic that many epidemiologists and government
agencies believe is certain to arrive. In 1918-19, the US and the
world suffered an estimated 60 million deaths from the Spanish Flu
pandemic. It was an absolute disaster worldwide and had many
long-term economic impacts that are still apparent. Experts today
believe that a bird flu pandemic would be far worse in terms of
potential deaths and economic impacts.
Epidemiologists
have wrritten that a rather simple mutation of the existing bird flu
virus into a virulent and very dangerous form that could be transmitted
by air and spread rapidly from human to human. They say it is not only
possible, but their only question is not whether it can happen, but
when it will happen. The Federal Government is so concerned about the
mutated bird flu virus, they have provided millions of doses of
Tamiflu, a medication that they hope will help control the disease and
help people who get the flu will have access to the medicine in time
and hopefully will survive the disease. Tamiflu is not a vaccine,
however, as a vaccine can only be prepared when scientists have
isolated the bird flu virus after it has mutated. Only then can they
make a vaccine and that would take time and great investment. In the
meantime, millions of Americans might perish.
More
about preparedness: Among the strongest preparedness suggestions that
have been made to date refer to storage items that families should have
on hand, items that might prove crucial to your survival in case a big
emergency occurs in your area. FEMA, The State, the County and many
city emergency agencies all suggest that every family have 72-hour
emergency kits readily available in case of emergencies, especially if
evacuations are declared. The listing below is the basic, 72 hour
emergency kit that should include such items as:
· Enough portable and easily prepared food for three days for each family member
· Enough potable water, at one gallon per day per person
· Sanitary supplies, prescription and OTC medications
· Clothing for each family member for three days
· Bedding, such as sleeping bags and blankets
· Comfort items for children, special foods, books and toys etc.
· Emergency lighting and camp stoves plus fuel
· Personal documents and $200 in cash in small bills
· Portable coolers for items that need to be kept cold
· Emergency radios/cell phones
· Vitamins and minerals for all
As
a firm believer in being prepared, I suggest that families rapidly get
your 72-hour emergency kits together in a safe, readily accessible
place. Since we always need vitamins and minerals, you might consider
storing and using our Acai Juice as a healthy super food. Packed with
vitamins and minerals and three essential fatty acids, it also
contains proteins and fiber. Acai Juice and is widely known as a truly
healthy liquid food source that would help preserve your family's
health during any emergency. Each ounce contains the equivalent of five
servings of fresh fruit, and is high in anti-oxidants an proteins.
Store
a case of Acai Juice and number the bottles from #1 to #12. When # 1
is empty, buy one more bottle, number it #13 and then rotate the
bottles in numerical order as you use them. Rotating and replacing a
bottle at a time assures freshness. A case of unopened Acai can be
safely stored for two years, but don't forget to refrigerate opened
bottles. Using Acai Juice as a super food in this way, all family
members will benefit from the natural healthy goodness in the juice.
