Individuals and Families

As you and your family plan for a pandemic, think about the challenges you might face, particularly if the pandemic is severe.

Essential services you depend on may be disrupted. These could include services provided by hospitals and other healthcare facilities, banks, restaurants, government offices, telephone and cellular phone companies, and post offices. Grocery and retail stores may close or have limited supplies. Transportation services may be disrupted and you may not be able to rely on public transportation. In a pandemic, there may be widespread illness that could result in the shut down of local ATMs and banks. Keep a small amount of cash or traveler's checks in small denominations for easy use.

Food and Water

Food and water supplies may be interrupted and temporary shortages could occur. You may also be unable to get to a store. Prepare by storing at least five days supply of non-perishable food and fresh water for emergencies. Select foods that do not require refrigeration, preparation (including the use of water), or cooking. Insure that formulas for infants and any child's or older person's special nutritional needs are a part of your planning. Store five days of water, 1 gallon of water per person per day. (2 quarts for drinking, 2 quarts for food preparation/sanitation), in clean plastic containers. Avoid using containers that will decompose or break, such as milk cartons or glass bottles.

Medical Care

wash your hands In a severe pandemic, hospitals and doctors' offices may be overwhelmed. If you have a medical condition which requires prescription medication or other supplies be sure to keep two week emergency supply on hand and rotate your supply regularly so it does not go out of date.

Stay Healthy

Many infectious illnesses are spread by coughing or sneezing or unclean hands. There are a number of things you can do to lower your risk of becoming ill or to avoid infecting others if you are sick.

Get your seasonal flu shot.
Eat a balanced diet, exercise regularly, get enough rest and drink fluids.
Wash your hands frequently using soap and water or an alcohol-based hand cleaner.
Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your upper arm.
Wash your hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand cleaner after coughing or sneezing.
If you get sick, stay home and away from others as much as possible.
Don't send your children to school or daycare if they are sick.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

Wash Your Hands

Keeping your hands clean is one of the most important steps you can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. Wash your hands frequently. Make a point to do so when exposed to or caring for others who are ill. Avoid touching your eyes or face until you have washed your hands. When washing hands with soap and water:

Wet your hands with clean running water and apply soap.
Rub hands together to make a lather and scrub all surfaces.
Continue rubbing hands for 20 seconds. Need a timer? Imagine singing "Happy Birthday" twice through to a friend!
Rinse hands well under running water
Dry your hands using a paper towel or air dryer. If possible, use your paper towel to turn off the faucet
If soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based gel to clean hands.

Cover Your Cough.

To help stop the spread of germs, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands.
Put your used tissue in the waste basket.

Stay Informed

Knowing the facts is the best preparation. Check for updated information on the Lane Preparedness Coalition website. Look for additional information on the links provided on this site. Listen to local and national radio, watch news reports on television, and read your newspaper.

Additional Information:

Pandemic Influenza Information: http://www.pandemicflu.gov/
Emergency Planning: http://www.ready.gov/america/index.html