Caring For Family During a Pandemic – Part 1”
By Carolyn Nicolaysen

The H1N1 flu has now been confirmed in more that thirty states in the United States and eleven countries. The World Health Organization is still investigating where this really began. There is also still confusion as to why the flu has been deadly in Mexico while only one death has been reported in the United States. It is now evident that this flu strain is easily transmitted between individuals. Why then, have we not seen more cases?

When this began last week, two students in Texas tested positive for the H1N1 flu. The school district immediately closed all the schools in the district. School districts have acted quickly to close schools - in some cases, even before the diagnosis was confirmed. More than 100 schools have closed, affecting more that 65,000 students. Texas has canceled all sports and academic competitions in the state until May 11th. All of these measures have helped to limit the exposure of students and staff, thus reducing cases. We really have no way of knowing how far it might have spread without these precautions.

Secondly, all those who have been diagnosed have been told to self quarantine with their entire household in their home until seven days after all symptoms have disappeared in their family. This is also limiting exposure. Again, without this direction family members who were not showing symptoms may have spread the flu had they continued their normal schedules.

We should not be panicking. Unlike the deadly pandemic of 1918 we now have mass communication which enables us to receive information and direction in real time. We should listen and comply. The Center for Disease Control has asked us to plan for what we will do if our schools close. Have you asked your child's school what their plan is? If you have not, now is the time. We should also be planning in case we have a family member who is exposed and we are told to quarantine in our home. Are you prepared with food and medications?

It is also time to be sure there is a plan for extended family and friends should this become a more dangerous situation. "He who fails to plan, plans to fail" is still true.