How To Prepare For A Terrifying Pandemic
Deadly pandemics have historically decimated continental populations.
Modern medicine has come a long way, but that doesn’t mean the threat of a pandemic has entirely subsided.
Here’s how to prepare for the frightening spread of a deadly disease.
The threat of a cataclysmic plague cannot be ignored.
In the 14th century, the Bubonic plague killed nearly one-third of the entire European population.
While medical science and our understanding of disease is far more advanced, that doesn’t mean deadly pandemics are no longer a concern.
The world has recently seen the rise of virulent superbugs and viruses that are fiercely resistant to antibiotics.
The fungus Candida auris has suddenly come on the radar for its lethality.
The fungus is so aggressive, a hospital room infested with Candida auris essentially had to be stripped of its insulation because cleaning solvents were ineffective.
More than one in three patients who contract the fungus will die within a month.
- auris and other superbugs are a reaction due to the overuse of medical and pesticide antibiotics.
The possibility of one of these known—and unknown—superbugs spreading out of control must not be ignored.
That’s why it’s necessary to be ready for a dangerous pandemic.
Here are some of the steps you can take to be better prepared.
Have a sick room
Make sure you have a bedroom that can serve as a sick room for anyone infected.
The room should have plenty of medical supplies readily available such as pain relievers, thermometers, heating pads, cold packs, disposable gloves, face masks, trash bags, and cleaning supplies.
You should also have plenty of clean towels and linens nearby.
It’s best to have as many medical supplies in or near the room as possible so you’re not constantly tromping in and out to care for the ill.
This limits the chances of disease spreading.
Use heavy plastic
Heavy plastic sheeting can help control the spread of disease by keeping environments clean and sealed off.
Heavy plastic can help keep germs out of the house, limit the ill from infecting others, and prevent the spread of pathogens that could worsen the health of anyone whose immune system is already compromised due to sickness.
Have a hazmat suit
A hazmat suit might become a necessity if your area is dealing with a highly contagious airborne pathogen.
A hazmat suit will allow you to care for the ill as well as perform tasks outside of the house when absolutely necessary.
Stay inside
It may seem obvious, but it still needs to be said that it’s important to limit your chances of infection by avoiding contact with the outside world as much as possible.
When dealing with a deadly pandemic, only go outside when absolutely necessary and take all precautions.
It’s for your own benefit, as well as for anyone in your household who might be immunocompromised.
This is why it’s important to have a robust stock of food, water, first-aid supplies, and leisure activities to pass the time.
Have a designated caretaker
While this may be a heavy emotional burden, it’s important to limit the exposure to people who are infected.
The fewer people who are in direct contact with the sick, the smaller the odds are the infection will spread.
Have a worst-case scenario plan
It’s uncomfortable to think about, but you should have a plan in place if someone takes a turn for the worse and passes away.
The living are still responsible for survival.
If you follow these steps and do your part to prevent the spread of illness in the first place, you’ll give yourself a much better chance of surviving a pandemic.
