DISASTER PLANNING
A pandemic is an outbreak of infection that spreads throughout a population of people in a region such as a country, continent, or the world (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2020). Influenza is a contagious respiratory illness with a range of symptoms that can cause death (Centers for Disease Control, 2022).
In scenario 3 schools are closed due to teacher absence and students are in need of childcare so that parents are able to remain working. I would suggest reaching out to daycare providers in the area to see if they are able to take in school-age children. If in need of extra laborers, high school students could be employed to assist the daycares. Reaching out to local organizations such as the YMCA or Boys and Girls Club that typically provide after-school care and requesting they provide during-school hours care is an option. Employees to staff these temporary programs could again be sought out through the high school, and local colleges, and the staff who aren’t ill can work to remain employed. School events should be canceled if school isn’t in session. Announcements on a daily basis should be provided to update parents on the return of children to class as soon as possible.
In scenario 6 the public health department has been notified of an increase in cases to 10% of the population. According to the CDC (2020), the first step to responding to an epidemic is to ensure that care is available to those who are ill and in need of hospitalization or emergency services. Providers are needed to test, treat, and educate patients to reduce the risk of further spread. If the clinics and hospitals are experiencing staffing shortages it may require a reduction in services that the facility provides to funnel its employees to care for influenza patients. The county public health services and home care agencies can provide in-home testing, care, and supply delivery to reduce the need for staff and the spread of illness by keeping people home.
Resources:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, October 24). Key facts about influenza (flu). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved March 20, 2023, from https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/keyfacts.htmLinks to an external site.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020, May 12). Pandemic influenza. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved March 21, 2023, from https://www.cdc.gov/flu/pandemic-resources/index.htmLinks to an external site.
Stanhope, M., & Lancaster, J. (2020). Public health nursing: Population-Centered Health Care in the Community. Elsevier.