Do Not Wait, Plan Now

I have been watching local Houston news all weekend and have spoken with several family members and friends in Houston. What has struck me about this entire situation is the lack of preparation. I am not addressing situations where people had prepared, but due to circumstances their preparations were destroyed. I am shocked at people who are only out of power and how devastated they are after only a few days. What would our society be like if a major disaster strikes without warning. If the scenes on TV are any indication, things will get bad very quickly. I have addressed disaster planning previously for nurses, but it seems timely to address it again.

Nurses are on the front lines (or just behind them) of any disaster; if nurses are not prepared, the system has the potential to fall apart. Not only must you know the disaster preparation for your work place, but you must be personally prepared at all times. In the Gulf Coast, there was prior knowledge that a hurricane was on the way, but what would happen if there was no advanced knowledge? Are you ready? Do you have enough food and water to take care of your family (including pets) for at least 3 days, but preferably a month or more? Do you have previsions for losing power (batteries; battery operated radios, tvs, lights; a way to charge your cell phone)? Do you have a back-up shelter option (located in your local area as well as a distant location)? What will your family do while you are working? Do you have a contact site if communications are down? Do you have copies of all of your important papers(including your nursing license)? There is much, much more and information can be found at the Red Cross's website.

Foot Experiment for Your Enjoyment

This is a fun, yet strange, experiment to try that takes just a couple of seconds (I received an email with these instructions, so I had to share).

This will boggle your mind and you will keep you trying over and over again to see if you can outsmart your foot, but, you can't. It's pre-programmed in your brain!

1. Without anyone watching you (they will think you are GOOFY......) and while sitting at your desk in front of your computer, lift your right foot off the floor and make clockwise circles.

2. Now, while doing this, draw the number '6' in the air with your right hand. Your foot will change direction.

I told you so!!! And there's nothing you can do about it! You and I both know how stupid it is, but before the day is done you are going to try it again, if you've not already done so.