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Growing up in Utah, I learned the importance of being able to provide life's necessities for your family. My four children and 14 grandchildren know that food storage is a way of life with me.
It 's brought us a security and peace of mind I'd like to share with you!
That's why I'm partnering with the Metro Atlanta Red Cross to help you become 'more certain in these uncertain times.' We want to give you the information you need to better prepare for disasters and emergencies in our community, from severe storms and power outages to a terrorist attack or pandemic flu outbreak.
The goal of Azrcka's Corner is to motivate you to have a minimum, two-week supply of food and water set aside for emergencies - it's not hard to do! We'll discuss tips and nutrition, and feature easy-to-store-and-prepare recipes for a busy family of four. We'll even give you the shopping list for your next trip to the grocery store! I look forward to helping you provide for the safety and security of your family. Let's get started!
Everybody will love our featured recipe: Creamy Pesto
Azrcka Bedgood, author of "Food Storage for the Health of It," has made growing, preparing and storing foods a way of life for the past 35 years. She serves as the Family Preparedness Specialist for her local faith community, and is an advocate of being 'Red Cross Ready' in these uncertain times of a disease that infects some or many people in a community or region at the same time.
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Pandemic: an outbreak of a disease that affects large numbers of people around the world.
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Influenza (Flu): a contagious respiratory illness caused by particular strains of viruses.
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Influenza (Flu) Pandemic: a global outbreak of the influenza disease that occurs when a new influenza virus appears in the human population. Because people have little or no immunity to the new strain, serious illness can occur, and the virus can spread easily and rapidly from person to person with no vaccine immediately available.
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Avian Influenza: commonly known as bird flu, this strain of influenza virus is naturally occurring in birds. Wild birds can carry the virus and may not get sick from it; however, domestic birds may become infected by the virus and often die from it.
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H5N1: the scientific name for a subtype of the avian influenza (bird flu) virus that has spread from birds to humans.
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View the complete glossary ...
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Pandemic Preparedness One Household at a Time
Bevin Suits is a man on a mission. He's taken the concept of pandemic flu preparedness from his kitchen table to the streets of his Dekalb County neighborhood. A resident of the Midway Woods neighborhood for 12 years, Suits says that his interest in pandemic flu preparedness for his community was sparked two years ago when he happened upon a radio program. "The reporter stated that the occurrence of a pandemic flu was a matter of if and not when, and that the best thing to do was to get your affairs in order," he said.
Members of Neighborcare are sharing information that prepares them for a possible pandemic flu outbreak. |
Today, Suits is the coordinator of Neighborcare, a grouping of approximately twenty households on a two-block stretch. Neighborcares's mission is to encourage its members to work together to share information, goods and supplies in preparation for a possible pandemic flu.
An industrial designer and media producer by profession, Suits emphasizes that building trust and communicating with family, friends and neighbors is key to preparing for the threat of pandemic flu. "My view on preparedness is that all the planning and money spent will not amount to much if people can't count on each other." "It might be difficult to talk to you neighbor about pandemic, but it's easier than lying awake at night wondering what might happen," he adds.
Is your community Prepared?
During a flu pandemic, government officials may impose activity, movement or travel restrictions to prevent the flu virus from spreading. You may be asked to stay home for an extended period of time, even if you are not sick. Schools, workplaces and public gatherings such as sporting events or worship services may stop temporarily. Mass transportation such as subways, buses, trains and air travel may be limited. You, your family and friends may need to rely on each other when you cannot depend on the services you normally use.
Stay Connected
Collect and keep track of important contact information for people you may need to reach during a flu pandemic. This will ensure that you are able to contact them by telephone, e-mail and other means should you be unable to travel due to movement restriction measures.
Help Educate Others
You can work with the Red Cross to promote preparedness information in you community. Resources are available via a presentation titled: "Pandemic Flu Public Information Series- Are You Prepared?"
This presentation is appropriate for workplaces, communities and families and content includes:
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What to expect during a flu pandemic
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The differences between seasonal flu and pandemic flu
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How the influenza virus spreads
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Steps to help prevent the spread of the flu
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How to prepare for a flu pandemic
To get more information on educating your community about pandemic flu preparedness, contact Cynthia Belton at cbelton@arcatl.org
To get more information on preparing a family disaster kit or evacuation plan, contact your local Red Cross chapter.
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