Communities, Businesses and Individuals Should:

  • Develop preparedness plans as you would for other public health emergencies.
  • Participate and promote public health efforts in your state and community.
  • Talk with your local public health officials and health care providers; they can supply information about the signs and symptoms of a specific disease outbreak.
  • Implement prevention and control actions recommended by your public health officials and providers.
  • Adopt business/school practices that encourage sick employees/students to stay home.
  • Anticipate how to function with a significant portion of the workforce/school population absent due to illness or caring for ill family members.
  • Practice good health habits, including eating a balanced diet, exercising daily, and getting sufficient rest and take these common-sense steps to stop the spread of germs.
  • Wash hands frequently with soap and water.
  • Cover coughs and sneezes with tissues.
  • Stay away from others as much as possible if you are sick.
  • Stay informed about pandemic influenza and be prepared to respond.
  • Consult pandemicflu.gov, who.int, cdc.gov frequently for updates on national and international information on pandemic influenza.
  • Use national and local pandemic hotlines that will be established in the eventuality of a global influenza outbreak.
  • Listen to radio and television and read media stories about pandemic flu.

 


Two things you can do to protect your home

1) Buy a Air Purifier for your home that has a UV purification method
2) Buy N95 Respirator/Surgical Masks for each member of your family

To plan for a pandemic:

  • Store a two week supply of water and food. During a pandemic, if you cannot get to a store, or if stores are out of supplies, it will be important for you to have extra supplies on hand. This can be useful in other types of emergencies, such as power outages and disasters.
  • Periodically check your regular prescription drugs to ensure a continuous supply in your home.
  • Have any nonprescription drugs and other health supplies on hand, including pain relievers, stomach remedies, cough and cold medicines, fluids with electrolytes, and vitamins.
  • Talk with family members and loved ones about how they would be cared for if they got sick, or what will be needed to care for them in your home.
  • Volunteer with local groups to prepare and assist with emergency response.
    Get involved in your community as it works to prepare for an influenza pandemic.

To limit the spread of germs and prevent infection:

  • Teach your children to wash hands frequently with soap and water, and model the correct behavior.
  • Teach your children to cover coughs and sneezes with tissues, and be sure to model that behavior.
  • Teach your children to stay away from others as much as possible if they are sick. Stay home from work and school if sick.

 

Items to have on hand for an extended stay at home:

Examples of food and non-perishables
  • Ready-to-eat canned meats, fish, fruits, vegetables, beans, and soups
  • Protein or fruit bars
  • Dry cereal or granola
  • Peanut butter or nuts
  • Dried fruit
  • Crackers
  • Canned juices
  • Bottled water
  • Canned or jarred baby food and formula
  • Pet food
  • Other non-perishable items
Examples of medical, health, and emergency supplies
  • Prescribed medical supplies such as glucose and blood-pressure monitoring equipment
  • Soap and water, or alcohol-based (60-95%) hand wash
  • Medicines for fever, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen
  • Thermometer
  • Batteries
  • Flashlight
  • Cleansing agent/soap
  • Vitamins
  • Anti-diarrheal medication
  • Portable radio
  • Manual can opener
  • Garbage bags
  • Tissues, toilet paper, disposable diapers

 

More Information