Self-care
While in emergency situations the "real" work is usually left to formally trained first responders, with volunteers playing an adjunct role, a pandemic scenario will likely be rather different. The health authorities and professionals will be overwhelmed and will not be able to help the vast majority of affected people.
In addition, the impact is expected to be as much social and economic as health-related; hence businesses, schools, and community groups all need to be engaged. And as health care workers will themselves be occupied tending to the very ill, we need to think of who will tend to the mildly and moderately ill. Neighbours need to engage each other, and they need to know how to protect themselves.
Direction and clear instructions are needed, but planners do not have personnel to implement the proposed responses. Only a truly community-based response will have the needed ability and resilience: I'll watch out for you—please do the same for me.
Visit Church Response Interactive to discuss!
Family Emergency Preparedness
26 weeks to family emergency preparedness.