Preparedness#32–New Booklet 8/16/09

The church has just reprinted the ‘Safely Gathered In’ booklet and made some modifications to it. We need to know what it says and review it so that we know we are in the ‘right way.’

MESSAGE FROM THE FIRST PRESIDENCY

Dear Brothers and Sisters:

Our Heavenly Father created this beautiful earth, with all its abundance,

for our benefit and use. His purpose is to provide for our needs as we walk in faith and obedience. He has lovingly commanded us to “prepare every needful thing” (see D&C 109:8) so that, should adversity come, we may care for ourselves and our neighbors and support bishops as they care for others. We encourage Church members worldwide to prepare for adversity in life by having a basic supply of food and water and some money in savings.

We ask that you be wise as you store food and water and build your

savings. Do not go to extremes; it is not prudent, for example, to go into

debt to establish your food storage all at once. With careful planning, you can, over time, establish a home storage supply and a financial reserve. We realize that some of you may not have financial resources or

space for such storage. Some of you may be prohibited by law from storing large amounts of food. We encourage you to store as much as

circumstances allow. May the Lord bless you in your home storage efforts.

The First Presidency

THE BASICS OF FAMILY HOME STORAGE

THREE-MONTH SUPPLY

Build a small supply of food that is part of your

normal, daily diet. One way to do this is to purchase a

few extra items each week to build a one-week supply

of food. Then you can gradually increase your supply

until it is sufficient for three months. These items

should be rotated regularly to avoid spoilage.

DRINKING WATER

Store drinking water for circumstances in which the

water supply may be polluted or disrupted.

If water comes directly from a good, pretreated

source then no additional purification is needed;

otherwise, pretreat water before use. Store water in

sturdy, leak-proof, breakage-resistant containers.

Consider using plastic bottles commonly used for

juices and soda.

Keep water containers away from heat sources and

direct sunlight.

FINANCIAL RESERVE

Establish a financial reserve by saving a little money

each week and gradually increasing it to a reasonable

amount (see All Is Safely Gathered In: Family Finances

guide).

LONGER-TERM SUPPLY

For longer-term needs, and where permitted, gradually

build a supply of food that will last a long time

and that you can use to stay alive, such as wheat,

white rice, and beans.

These items can last 30 years or more when properly

packaged and stored in a cool, dry place. A portion of

these items may be rotated in your three-month supply

This is the end of the church publication. I added the bold type to the message from the First Presidency for emphasis. Are our hearts and hands ready?

gv3grant@gmail.com 435 628-2739 http://rupreparedgv3.blogspot.com

Swine flu and Emergency preparedness

Preparedness #27 – Flu update 7/19/09
Woody Allen: "Life is full of misery, loneliness, and suffering--and it's all over much too soon."

Here are some dates for dry-pack canning: (I will have some sample order sheets available next week.
The first is Aug 11 Tuesday from 4 - 6 PM.
The second is Wednesday Sept 23 from 4 - 6 PM

I have been on the weekly email list for the Center for Disease Control for the last 6 months and have been watching the progress of the H1N1 flu virus. It was declared a ‘pandemic’ a few weeks ago but only because of the speed of spread of the virus, not the severity of it.
This graph was updated to June 6th and since then, the number of reported cases has more than doubled to almost 41,000 in just 5 weeks; Indicating that the line on the right has continued to rise sharply.

It is probable that it will continue to spread rapidly. Some have suggested that the best way to handle it is to find someone with the virus and expose oneself and ‘get it over with.’ There hasn’t been a report on who is at greatest risk yet, but it is obvious that those over 65 years of age and have already weakened systems from existing health problems are especially at risk.

This is a lot of extra stuff this week but I felt it is time to give some information on what to do about this flu problem. It is possible that local governments will take greater precautions later if necessary to stop the wide-spread movement of the virus. Keep informed!

As always, make sure you have at least 3 weeks of everything you will need without going to the store. You may not be ‘quarantined’ or forbidden from going, but the more exposure you get, the greater the chances of sickness.

We have been making a lot of suggestions for storage that include food and medicines, but this week, you need to decide what to do for toiletries. Especially ‘bath tissue’ (politically correctly said). Imagine? This is something that can be stored in attics without floors on top of insulation since it is light and well covered.

It would if some of you who are working in heath care organizations would ask how we go about getting extra medications that the Division of Homeland Security suggests we have in our emergency supply. Please let me know if you find out how to get the insurance industry to cooperate.

Not everyone has to get the flu. Here are some recommendations from the

World Health Organization:
Updated 11 June 2009
What can I do to protect myself from catching influenza A(H1N1)?
The main route of transmission of the new influenza A(H1N1) virus seems to be similar to seasonal influenza, via droplets that are expelled by speaking, sneezing or coughing. You can prevent getting infected by avoiding close contact with people who show influenza-like symptoms (trying to maintain a distance of about 1 metre if possible) and taking the following measures:
avoid touching your mouth and nose;
clean hands thoroughly with soap and water, or cleanse them with an alcohol-based hand rub on a regular basis (especially if touching the mouth and nose, or surfaces that are potentially contaminated);
avoid close contact with people who might be ill;
reduce the time spent in crowded settings if possible;
improve airflow in your living space by opening windows;
practise good health habits including adequate sleep, eating nutritious food, and keeping physically active.
What about using a mask? What does WHO recommend?
If you are not sick you do not have to wear a mask.
If you are caring for a sick person, you can wear a mask when you are in close contact with the ill person and dispose of it immediately after contact, and cleanse your hands thoroughly afterwards. If you are sick and must travel or be around others, cover your mouth and nose.
Using a mask correctly in all situations is essential. Incorrect use actually increases the chance of spreading infection.
How do I know if I have influenza A(H1N1)?
You will not be able to tell the difference between seasonal flu and influenza A(H1N1) without medical help. Typical symptoms to watch for are similar to seasonal viruses and include fever, cough, headache, body aches, sore throat and runny nose. Only your medical practitioner and local health authority can confirm a case of influenza A(H1N1).
What should I do if I think I have the illness?
If you feel unwell, have high fever, cough or sore throat:
stay at home and keep away from work, school or crowds;
rest and take plenty of fluids;
cover your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing and, if using tissues, make sure you dispose of them carefully. Clean your hands immediately after with soap and water or cleanse them with an alcohol-based hand rub;
if you do not have a tissue close by when you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth as much as possible with the crook of your elbow;
use a mask to help you contain the spread of droplets when you are around others, but be sure to do so correctly;
inform family and friends about your illness and try to avoid contact with other people;
If possible, contact a health professional before traveling to a health facility to discuss whether a medical examination is necessary.
Should I take an antiviral now just in case I catch the new virus?
No. You should only take an antiviral, such as oseltamivir or zanamivir, if your health care provider advises you to do so. Individuals should not buy medicines to prevent or fight this new influenza without a prescription, and they should exercise caution in buying antivirals over the Internet.

Warning on purchase of antivirals without a prescription [pdf 35kb] http://www.who.int/medicines/publications/drugalerts/Alert_122_Antivirals.pdf

What about breastfeeding? Should I stop if I am ill? No, not unless your health care provider advises it. Studies on other influenza infections show that breastfeeding is most likely protective for babies - it passes on helpful maternal immunities and lowers the risk of respiratory disease. Breastfeeding provides the best overall nutrition for babies and increases their defense factors to fight illness.
When should someone seek medical care?
A person should seek medical care if they experience shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, or if a fever continues more than three days. For parents with a young child who is ill, seek medical care if a child has fast or labored breathing, continuing fever or convulsions (seizures).
Supportive care at home - resting, drinking plenty of fluids and using a pain reliever for aches - is adequate for recovery in most cases. (A non-aspirin pain reliever should be used by children and young adults because of the risk of Reye's syndrome.)
Should I go to work if I have the flu but am feeling OK?
No. Whether you have influenza A(H1N1) or a seasonal influenza, you should stay home and away from work through the duration of your symptoms. This is a precaution that can protect your work colleagues and others.
Can I travel?
If you are feeling unwell or have symptoms of influenza, you should not travel. If you have any doubts about your health, you should check with your health care provider.
End of WHO report.

gv3grant@gmail.com 435 628-2739 http://rupreparedgv3.blogspot.com

#29 –
New resource guide 8/01/09

Remember the dry pack cannery opportunity. Please get a copy of the order sheet from the library and decide what you want. Please let me know if you plan to go and approximately how many cans you plan to use. (don’t need to know what.) Date: Tuesday, August 11 at 4 to 6 PM, Heads up for a new emergency preparedness guide coming in the mail this week. It is written for our specific area by the Southwest Utah Public Health Department and has information specific to emergencies in our area. It looks like the picture at the left. Government agencies have learned from recent disasters that communities that have prepared citizens can respond much faster than well prepared government agencies. Duh! This pamphlet focuses on Family Preparedness. Please take time to read it with your family and check it against what you have already done. After you have read it, use it as a workbook to guide you to family readiness. If you want an extra copy you can pick one up or you can download the guide at:

http://www.swuhealth.org/Forms/cdep/family_preparedness_guide_SWUPHD.pdf

I have reviewed the booklet and it has a great list of items for a 72 hour kit, a car emergency kit, a work sheet for family plan and phone numbers as well as government agency numbers and web sites. It also discusses the most likely emergencies for our area and what can be done to prepare and what to do during the emergency. Good stuff all in one place! Update on the flu: The Center for Disease Control issued this statement yesterday and contains the following quote: “CDC is concerned that the new H1N1 flu virus could result in a particularly severe flu season this year. Vaccines are the best tool we have to prevent influenza. CDC hopes that people will start to go out and get vaccinated against seasonal influenza as soon as vaccines become available at their doctor’s offices and in their communities (this may be as early as August for some). The seasonal flu vaccine is unlikely to provide protection against novel H1N1 influenza. However a novel H1N1 vaccine is currently in production and may be ready for the public in the fall. The novel H1N1 vaccine is not intended to replace the seasonal flu vaccine – it is intended to be used along-side seasonal flu vaccine. Here is a switch; the age group last specified for priority in getting the immunizations is the 65 and older group. Seems that these folk are the least likely to get the ‘Swine Flu!’ You can look at the current CDC report by going to this link:
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/acip.htm

It occurred to me as I prepared this material that our families are aware of our beliefs as much or more by what we do than by what we say or teach. If we are making a concerted effort to be prepared and share the experiences with our family, they will be taught obedience in a general way and in a specific way by observing us. Many of us belong to families that are struggling because of the economy and are having a hard time putting things into storage. Many of us have become accustomed to purchasing items for storage when many times we could figure out a way to ‘make’ what we need. Some times we discard the same items that we need to use for our emergency supply. One example is a tin can stove that uses the same cans that we will be filling in our next dry pack canning assignment. All you need In addition to the gallon can, is some cardboard, a tuna can, wax and a little aluminum foil. When we are obedient and clever, we teach more than obedience, we teach resourcefulness and self reliance just for starters. You can see the article with complete instructions for the stove and, a tin can breakfast.

http://www.meridianmagazine.com/enjoying/090723tincan.html

If you have preparedness ideas or solutions that are creative and fun and can be a part of a family night activity please let me know so I can pass them along. One last thing: A few years ago I contributed to a book that was published by the ‘Tightwad Gazette.’ They had a weekly newsletter with ideas on how to save money and not be tempted by every ‘wind’ of advertisement in the media. I found that it is still on the Internet as are many others like them. If you want some fun ideas for saving money and making do with what you have, there are some good ideas in these web sites. The Tightwad Gazette can be found at:

http://www.tightwad.com/index.htm

They also have a list of links to other similar sites. gv3grant@gmail.com 435 628-2739 http://rupreparedgv3.blogspot.com