Are You Prepared for a Serious Pandemic?

Provident Principles and Practices
© David Edwards, 2009.
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PRINCIPLES: President Gordon B. Hinckley, writing in an article, “If Ye Are Prepared Ye Shall Not Fear,” published in the Liahona, November 2005, p. 60–62, referred to the the Plague, also known as the Black Death. This took place in the 1300's, and millions of people died. He also referred to other pandemic illnesses, such smallpox. These diseases, too, have caused much pain and mortality over time.

PRACTICES: About three times per century, on average, pandemics rage throughout the world. The last few have been comparably mild. Those not familiar with history may not be aware of the highly destructive nature of some pandemics of the past. In the 1918-1920 influenza pandemic, for example, some 20-100 million people worldwide died. Are we prepared, spiritually, physically and emotionally for future pandemics?

Ask yourself these questions:

* What do I know about pandemics and their consequences?

* Do I understand that pandemic viruses can mutate and become virulent within a short time?

* How well would I and my family endure either isolation or quarantine for an extended period?

* How much commerce and work would take place during a high-death-rate pandemic?

* If I were without work for several months, how would I pay for mortgage/rent, utilities, etc.?

* What would my family eat if I could not go out to a store and buy food for several months?

* What would we drink if the water treatment or distribution system were to fail?

* If the municipal wastewater treatment system were to fail, how would we deal with human waste?

* How would I keep cool if electricity failed during a mid-summer pandemic?

* How would we keep our family warm if electricity or natural gas failed in mid winter?

* If no one could leave or enter our home, how would we meet family medical needs?

* If I could not leave home for a while, what would I use for cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting?

* What if a family member died during a pandemic, and we were quarantined, what would we do?

* How can I become more spiritually prepared to ask for heaven’s assistance in a pandemic?

More at www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/individual/index.html; www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance_homecare.htm

Graphics credits:

Plague: http://history.nih.gov/exhibits/genetics/images/sect1b/5b-sm.jpg

1918-1920 Influenza: http://photos.state.gov/libraries/amgov/3234/week_4/082908-hospital-200.jpg

Providing the Lord’s Way – Our Responsibilities

Provident Principles and Practices
© David Edwards, 2009
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PRINCIPLES: In the new guide Summary of a Leader's Guide to Welfare: Providing in the Lord's Way, published by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, members are charged with helping other Church members better understand basic principles of welfare. These principles include the following:

Self-reliance. We are responsible to provide for our own welfare. This means that, with the Lord’s inspiration, we make our own decisions, resolve our own difficulties, and avoid dependence on others to the extent we can. We provide for necessities of life for ourselves and our families. When we are self-reliant, we are better able to serve and bless others. If we do all we can to meet our own needs but still fall short, then we turn first to family and second to the Church.

Education. Part of education is gaining knowledge and wisdom from the scriptures and good books and improving our skills in reading, writing, mathematics and areas of learning needed for full and meaningful employment.

Health. We enhance our health by obeying the Word of Wisdom, eating wholesome food, exercising, and obtaining sufficient sleep. We avoid damaging or addictive drugs or behaviors. We practice good hygiene and sanitation and obtain appropriate medical and dental care. We develop close and righteous relationships with family and others.

Employment. We prepare for and choose appropriate employment to meet personal and family needs. Once working, we improve job skills, do an honest day’s work, and live so as to merit the trust of our employers and fellow workers.

Home Storage. We enhance preparedness for disruptive events by obtaining a short-term supply of ordinary foods and emergency drinking water and a long-term supply of long-lasting foods.

Finances. Financial self-reliance means paying tithes and offerings, getting and staying out of unnecessary debt, creating a budget, living within one’s budget, building a financial reserve over time, and instructing family members in financial responsibility.

Spiritual Strength. Developing spiritual strength means exercising faith in God and His Son, keeping the commandments, praying regularly, studying God’s revealed word, attending Sacrament and other essential meetings, and serving in Church callings and assignments.

Caring for Others. As did the Lord, we minister to those in need and the sick, afflicted or sorrowful. We consecrate our time, talents and energy to building the Lord’s Kingdom.

More at

http://providentliving.org/pfw/multimedia/files/pfw/pdf/120985_PITLWLoResWebVersion_08257_pdf.pdf

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Graphics credits:

Graduate: http://kingston.house.gov/blog/wp-content/uploads/2006/03/graduate.JPG
Food Pyramid: http://www.fda.gov/diabetes/pyramid.gif
Youth Working: www.nal.usda.gov/ric/images/youth.jpg

President Washington in Prayer: http://www.loc.gov/shop/images/catalog/items/enlarge/enlarge_pratvafo.jpg
Caring for a Senior: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/images/seniorcaregiver.jpg

Items for Light and Heat in a Disaster Supply Kit

Provident Principles and Practices
© David Edwards, 2009

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PRINCIPLES: “Fuel and light: Flashlight. Matches.” – A few items listed in Emergency Storage, Essentials of Home Production & Storage, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1978, p. 11.

“Flashlights and extra batteries. Matches in a waterproof container.” – A few items listed in American Red Cross site at www2.redcross.org/services/disaster/0,1082,0_3_,00.html

“Use the flashlight to find your way if the power is out. Do not use candles or any other open flame for emergency lighting.” – ARC, www2.redcross.org/static/file_cont119_lang0_62.doc

PRACTICES: After you get out of debt and store food, you might consider other preparations.

Light. After an emergency, electricity may fail. It may be dark inside or outside. Reliable sources of light stored in your disaster supply kit can make a difference. A small flashlight is essential. Store plenty of alkaline or lithium batteries for it, outside your flashlight. They store better and last longer in service than “heavy duty” batteries do. You can wrap batteries in plastic wrap to prevent corrosion or shorting. Windup LED flashlights, which in theory can work indefinitely, can also be stored. However, some types fail after having been in use for a while. Test some first through a series of lengthy charge and discharge cycles. If you find one that works, you can store it as a backup source of light. Lightsticks, which come in different sizes and colors, may also be useful. Some last for up to 12 hours. They do not produce a spark or flame, so they are much safer for use in an emergency in which explosive or flammable gases, such as natural gas or methane, may be present in the air. This may be the case, for example, after an earthquake. Micro LED lights take up little space. Micro LED headlamps allow for hands-free use, important in many emergencies in which the lights are out and working with one’s hands is necessary. Candles are not currently recommended for storage in a disaster supply kit.

Ignition. Several types of fire starters can be stored in your disaster supply kit. Fires can help you stay warm, and fires may allow you boil water, cook food, dry out your clothes or signal others. Boiling water is generally an excellent way to disinfect water of uncertain biological content. Wind-proof, water-proof camping matches can help start fires. A butane lighter or two, kept in a leakproof container, may also be helpful. A one-handed rotating flint fire starter, plus tinder, can assist you in starting fires in the field. A magnesium/flint/striker fire starter kit tends to be a dependable means of starting fires even when it is raining, or when wood is damp, since magnesium burns with an intensely hot flame. A magnifying glass can be used to focus sunlight on a tiny point on tinder and start a fire. Be careful not to start fires if flammable or explosive gases or vapors may be present.

Heat. Heat can be provided by a number of means other than an open fire. One option is a small butane camping stove. If you store one, store butane fuel for it as well. Hand-warmer packets can help warm hands when needed for extra manual dexterity on cold days. They can warm feet, too.

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Graphics Credits:

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Dark street: http://www.crh.noaa.gov/lsx/event/7-4-05/belleville_3.jpg (modified in Paint)

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Candles: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08523c.jpg (modified in Paint)

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Backpacker stove: http://www.blm.gov/education/lnt/smallphoto/bigphoto/photo30.JPG

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Other graphics by D. or S. Edwards.