<p> Pandemic Flu Preparedness</p><p>Last time, you learned about three kinds of flu: seasonal flu, avian flu, and pandemic flu. Let’s look at pandemic flu and what our community is doing to prepare for it.</p><p>During a pandemic, many people will be sick at once, and there would be many more deaths than usual. Pandemics have two to three waves and can last as long as 18 months. No one knows when a flu pandemic will start or how bad it will be.</p><p>In a severe pandemic, up to one-third of the population could be sick at any given time. It is estimated that up to 40% of workers would not show up for work because of illness or a sick family member. Public services like utilities could be disrupted. Stores could run out of food.</p><p>There will not be enough doctors, nurses, or hospital beds to help everyone in a pandemic. There will be no vaccine during the first wave and not enough antiviral drugs. Neighboring counties would be unable to help because they would be similarly affected.</p><p>This sounds frightening, and it is. So what can we do?</p><p>Planning is ongoing at federal, state, and local levels. Morgan County officials have been meeting monthly since July. The group includes the Morgan County Government, its Emergency Management Agency (EMA), Morgan County Health Department, Morgan Memorial Hospital, Morgan County Schools, Madison City Government, and others.</p><p>They are planning how to keep essential services going, manage healthcare, and limit the flu’s spread. Schools, churches, and other public gatherings could be closed for weeks at a time during a pandemic, and people may be asked to stay home to limit the spread of the disease.</p><p>The group is also working to educate people about pandemics and encourage everyone to prepare. This series is one way. If your group or church would like to host a presentation about pandemic preparedness, please call Kevin Wells at 706 227-7187.</p><p>The next column will look at what you can do to prepare. In the meantime, visit www.pandemicflu.gov to get a head start.</p><p>Rhiannon Brewer is the public relations and information specialist for the Northeast Health District and can be reached at [email protected].</p>