H1N1/Swine Flu--What are you going to do?

As health care providers, have you set up your own pandemic/disaster preparation plan? I know the hospitals and clinics are looking at their policies and what procedures will be implemented in case of a pandemic/disaster, but every health care provider needs to look at their personal life and make plans.

-Do you have a change of clothes and toiletries in your car or locker in case you have to stay at work?

-Do you have a backup plan for child care? pet care? etc?

-Are you keeping up to date on what is going on? Looking at various sources for information? I think this is important because I question how much true information we are being told. Here in Texas a woman died and it was reported that she had health problems, but then her husband was interviewed and stated that she had no health problems. I have seen similar posts and it makes me wonder if the reporting is faulty when we are told that the people dying also have additional health conditions and then the family disputes that information or if a decision is being made to downplay that the flu is infecting healthy young adults as did the Spanish flu.

-Are you prepared to feed your family (pets included) for a week or more if stores are closed?

-There are more preparations that each provider should consider, but this is just to get you thinking about preparation.

Thinking ahead, planning and preparation are some important cornerstones of health care practice.