Category: preparedness
The Power of Preparedness
If there were one thing I’d wish for, it would be the ability to predict when and where the next infectious disease outbreak would occur and stop it before it starts. I can’t do that. And neither can anyone else. At this moment, in addition to combating Zika in the United States and polio in Read More >
Posted on by 4 CommentsSmall Changes, Big Dividends: A Global Look at Preparedness
There’s a big difference between seeing something in a picture and experiencing it in 360-degree reality, saturated with sounds and smells. In the summer of 1987, I traveled to Senegal for three weeks. This was the first time I had really traveled and seen firsthand what the rest of the world was like. In Dakar, Read More >
Posted on by 2 CommentsReady or Not: Communicating During an Emergency in the Country of Georgia
Emergencies don’t wait for you to be ready. In 2015, the country of Georgia invited CDC to conduct a training on the principles of Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication (CERC). But before we could get there, the capital city of Tblisi was struck by a major flood. The flash flood and ensuing mudslide killed 20 Read More >
Posted on by Leave a commentSafe Travels for Zika and Other Dangerous Samples
As Zika virus spreads across the globe, scientists in the United States are finding ways to fight it. Currently, there are no vaccines to prevent Zika or medicines for treatment. To create better tests – including rapid tests – and develop vaccines, scientists need to conduct research with the virus in their labs. Read More >
Posted on by 4 CommentsUsing the Law to Prepare for Global Health Emergencies
Countries need to be prepared to handle emergencies. Having the right laws in place is an important part of the preparation. When laws are not clearly defined, responders can have a hard time figuring out what to do during a public health emergency and who has the authority to take action. Read More >
Posted on by 6 CommentsParents and Kids Prepare for Emergencies Together
School is out, and summer is a time for hanging out with family and friends, taking vacations and going away to camp. It is also the season for disasters like tornadoes, hurricanes and wildfires. Read More >
Posted on by 3 Comments