Category: preparedness
Borders, Budgets, and the Rising Risk of Disease
Borders, Budgets, and the Rising Risk of Disease Is there a perfect storm brewing along our nation’s southern border? Let’s take a look at the numbers in El Paso, Texas where I recently visited: There are 27 million crossings per year alone at the El Paso Point of Entry (POE) Cuts to federal funding including Read More >
Posted on by 30 CommentsWhen Preparedness Hits Home
Getting people to think about an emergency before it happens is not always easy. Unfortunately, it usually takes a disaster for people to realize the importance of being prepared. I work at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the National Center for Environmental Health where I focus on emergency preparedness. I know all too well the values of making an emergency kit and having a plan, much to the chagrin of my two sons who swear nothing ever happens where we live. But this spring, something did happen and my family was able to see firsthand why I was always trying to get them to think about preparedness. Read More >
Posted on by 7 CommentsThe JIC Never Sleeps
It was 5:45 a.m.The familiar vibration from the cell phone woke me up. The voice message said, “There was an 8.9 magnitude earthquake that occurred near Japan. We’re not sure about the extent of damages, deaths or injuries. But it has caused a tsunami that might affect Hawaii and the west coast later this morning. Read More >
Posted on by 12 CommentsShoot for the goal! Stay safe and healthy during the World Cup in South Africa this summer
Planning on going to the World Cup in South Africa this summer? If so, you are not alone. FIFA, the organization in charge of the international soccer competition, is expecting about 373,000 people from around the world to converge in South Africa to be a part of the 19th World Cup – the first Read More >
Posted on by 3 CommentsCrafting Ebola Prevention Messages in Uganda
I work in CDC’s Special Pathogens Branch (SPB) where we study highly infectious viruses. My job is health communications and I’ve just returned from Uganda. I was there to work with the Ministry of Health and health educators from Uganda’s Western Districts to create materials that would help keep people there safe from Ebola and Read More >
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