Sally Furniss
Well-known member
Swine Flu - It?s Time to Work together as a Community
Getting to know your neighbours is an important step you can take to prepare for a pandemic.
Now is the time to talk to your neighbours, friends and family about how you will work together when swine flu spreads in the community.
History shows us that neighbourliness is not just about making us feel good ? it can be vital for survival. In his book Black November ? The 1918 Influenza Pandemic in NZ, author Dr Geoffrey Rice was able to show that those communities which organised themselves early had the lowest death rates, even without the benefits of modern medicine.
Although our society is more transient now than it was in 1918, a serious flu pandemic means there may be more sick people than our hospital can cope with.
Sick people, especially those who live alone, and families who need to isolate them selves, could owe their lives to their neighbours just as they did last century.
Think about the following advice from Canterbury Civil Defence Emergency Management
? If you or a family member has the flu, you will probably need to stay at home for about a week. This will affect your daily routines.
? Ensure now that you have at least seven days of food and basic supplies at home or that there is someone who can get them for your household. This should include any baby supplies or pet supplies that your household would need and other important items such as paracetamol to reduce fevers and enough of your everyday medication to get you through.
? You may feel so unwell that you will be unable to care for people or animals you are responsible for. You need to make alternative arrangements for their care now. Ask others in your family or community, friends or neighbours if they would be able to help you
? Because you will be at home for a week, make sure you have power and gas for heating your home and cooking food.
? You may need help from other people when you are ill. Ask your friends or family, neighbours, colleagues or community group to assist you. When you are fully recovered, you can help others who are sick
http://www.scdhb.co.nz/uploads/File/Publications/June Healthbeat small file.pdf
Getting to know your neighbours is an important step you can take to prepare for a pandemic.
Now is the time to talk to your neighbours, friends and family about how you will work together when swine flu spreads in the community.
History shows us that neighbourliness is not just about making us feel good ? it can be vital for survival. In his book Black November ? The 1918 Influenza Pandemic in NZ, author Dr Geoffrey Rice was able to show that those communities which organised themselves early had the lowest death rates, even without the benefits of modern medicine.
Although our society is more transient now than it was in 1918, a serious flu pandemic means there may be more sick people than our hospital can cope with.
Sick people, especially those who live alone, and families who need to isolate them selves, could owe their lives to their neighbours just as they did last century.
Think about the following advice from Canterbury Civil Defence Emergency Management
? If you or a family member has the flu, you will probably need to stay at home for about a week. This will affect your daily routines.
? Ensure now that you have at least seven days of food and basic supplies at home or that there is someone who can get them for your household. This should include any baby supplies or pet supplies that your household would need and other important items such as paracetamol to reduce fevers and enough of your everyday medication to get you through.
? You may feel so unwell that you will be unable to care for people or animals you are responsible for. You need to make alternative arrangements for their care now. Ask others in your family or community, friends or neighbours if they would be able to help you
? Because you will be at home for a week, make sure you have power and gas for heating your home and cooking food.
? You may need help from other people when you are ill. Ask your friends or family, neighbours, colleagues or community group to assist you. When you are fully recovered, you can help others who are sick
http://www.scdhb.co.nz/uploads/File/Publications/June Healthbeat small file.pdf
