Even if an avian influenza pandemic never becomes a reality, it’s always a good idea to be prepared for it and other disasters, said Sharon Medcalf, associate director of the Center for Biopreparedness Education.
“Here in Nebraska, we live in ‘Tornado Alley,’ ” Medcalf said. “We’re all supposed to have 72-hours worth of supplies stored up. We find most people don’t, but we’re supposed to.”
As concerns have grown about a potential avian flu pandemic, Medcalf and others have been trying to get the word out about what people can do to prepare.
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Storz Pavilion, Rooms 1, 2, 3 and 4
Eppley Science Hall Amphitheater
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At the forums, Medcalf introduces a 16-week stockpiling tool that lays out a plan for families to gradually prepare their homes with the supplies they’ll need should disaster strike.
The stockpiling tool has been well-received by the public because it gives people a practical method of preparation that doesn’t overwhelm them, Medcalf said.
“People like it because it gives them a project to work on that is attainable,” Medcalf said. “We want them to see that they are not helpless and that disaster preparation is possible, not some ‘larger than life’ task.”
While avian flu is the current concern, using the stockpiling tool prepares families for all sorts of disasters, Medcalf said.
“It may not be a pandemic, it could be a whole new infectious disease or some other calamity,” Medcalf said. “If you look back historically, things have happened. So if it’s not one thing, it could very likely be something else.”
The 16-week supply plan is available at the avian flu forums or can be downloaded at any time at www.unmc.edu/avianflu.