There are all kinds of emergencies. Are you ready?
As if we didn’t have enough to worry about from the COVID pandemic, did you know the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has put together a Zombie Preparedness Page? Well, they have!
According to the Zombie Preparedness webpage, what first began as a tongue-in-cheek campaign has become a good way for the CDC to engage new audiences and present preparedness message for a wide variety of scenarios. As they say, many of the things you would do to prepare for the Zombie Apocalypse will also serve you well in the event of other emergencies. As we approach the summer fire season, it might be a good time to review our zombie preparedness.
For example, a page called “Teachable Moments — Courtesy of The Walking Dead on AMC” includes good advice such as always keeping your gas tank at least half full so you don’t run out of gas in the inevitable traffic jam leaving the site of the disaster. Keeping a first aid kit stocked and ready. (Not that anything will save you from a Zombie’s bite.) Avoiding contaminated water and learning how to make suspect water safer. (Hint: first remove any lingering zombies … then boil, add disinfectants or filter.)
Zombies could happen anywhere, but every part of the country has its own special hazards. Here, in the desert West are our biggest danger is from fires during the summer months. The Mid-West is challenged by blizzards in the winter, flooding in the spring and tornados in the summer. Other parts of the country have earthquakes, hurricanes, tornados and many other hazards. For us, being prepared means having a “go bag” for quick evacuations and making plans for re-uniting with family and friends. In other places, preparedness including having everything you need to shelter in place and wait out the emergency.
The CDC Zombie site is a fun way to think about your own preparedness, has general recommendations, and contains specialized ideas for other types of emergencies. There is a page of ideas for educators, too. And a downloadable Zombie Preparedness poster in English and Spanish, a fun graphic novel and access to badges and widgets for your own social media site and zombie e-cards.
You can even join the CDC Zombie Task Force and get your own Zombie Apocalypse t-shirt. Who knew government bureaucrats had a sense of humor?
Want to learn more about being prepared and have a little fun? Check out the CDC’s Zombie Preparedness website. And while you’re there, review all their other excellent information.
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