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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:
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You may be asked to stay home for an extended period
of time even if you are not sick.
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Schools, workplaces and public gatherings such as
sporting events or worship services may close temporarily.
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Mass transportation such as subways, buses, trains
and air travel may be limited.
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You, your family and friends may need to rely on
each other when you cannot depend on the services 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
Along with food, water and medical supplies, store
cleaning supplies such as bleach with household emergency supplies.
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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.
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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.
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Store a supply of nonprescription drugs, such as
pain relievers, cough and cold medicines, stomach remedies and anti-diarrheal
medication, as well as vitamins and fluids with electrolytes (such
as sports drinks).
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Store health and cleaning supplies, such as bleach,
tissues, a thermometer, disposable gloves, soap and alcohol-based
hand sanitizers.
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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.
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Talk with family members and loved ones about how
they would be cared for if they got sick.
Planning in Your Community
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Ask about plans to enable you to stay home if you
are or a family member is sick.
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Find out your employer’s plans to keep the
business open if key staff can’t come to work.
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Find out now about your child’s school or
daycare provider’s plans for handling a flu pandemic.
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Ask if there are plans to encourage sick children
to stay home to reduce the spread of the disease.
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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.
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