Red Cross monitoring swine flu

Though it seems a little over the top, this was sent out this morning by the Connecticut chapter of the American Red Cross:

Good morning,

The American Red Cross is closely monitoring the swine flu national progress. We have been in contact with State and Federal Public Health and Emergency Management officials and will be ready to take action if necessary. As always, the American RedCross mission includes helping people prepare for emergencies. Attached, you will find a preparedness seasonal flu checklist. Please, stay tuned to local and state health official for future updates and information.

Also, here is some useful information when planning ahead. To contact your American

Red Cross, please visit www.ctredcross.org.

Planning Ahead

During a flu pandemic, government officials may be required to limit community movement or impose travel restrictions to help prevent the flu virus from spreading.

Things to keep in mind:
• You may be asked to stay home for an extended period of time even if you are not sick.
• Schools, workplaces and public gatherings such as sporting events or worship services may close temporarily.
• Mass transportation such as subways, buses, trains and air travel may be limited.

• You, your family and friends may need to rely on each other when you cannot depend on the service s you normally use. Think about how you handle stress and know your strengths. Take steps to plan for, get through and recover from a flu pandemic...

Planning at Home

Store a two-week supply of food. Select foods that do not require refrigeration, preparation or cooking. Ensure that formula for infants and any child's or older person's special nutritional needs are a part of your planning. Plan for your pets as well.

• Store a two-week supply of water, 1 gallon of water per person per day, in clean plastic containers. Avoid using containers that will decompose or break, such as milk cartons or glass bottles.

• Store a supply of nonprescription drugs, such as pain relievers, cough and coldmedicines, stomach remedies and anti-diarrheal medication, as well as vitamins and fluids with electrolytes (such as sports drinks).

• Store health and cleaning supplies, such as bleach, tissues, a thermometer, disposable gloves, soap and alcohol-based hand sanitizers.

• Ask your health care provider and health insurance company if you can get an extra supply of your regular prescription drugs and medical supplies, such as glucose monitoring supplies.

• Talk with family members and loved ones about how they would be cared for if they got sick.

Planning in Your Community

• Ask about plans to enable you to stay home if you are or a family member is sick.

• Find out your employer's plans to keep the business open if key staff can't come to work.

• Find out now about your child's school or daycare provider's plans for handling a flu pandemic.

• Ask if there are plans to encourage sick children to stay home to reduce the spread of the disease.

• Ask if there are plans to close during a pandemic that would require all the children to remain at home.

Finding out the answers ahead of time will have a significant impact on your plans and decisions during a flu pandemic.

Thank you

Mario

Mario J. Bruno

Chief Operating Officer
Connecticut State Relations Disaster Liaison

American Red Cross

Charter Oak Chapter 
209 Farmington Avenue
Farmington, CT 06032

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