Swine Flu, and Evacuation Planning

Well, yesterday I was on a call at work when I felt the first signs of something coming on.  Since everyone is HyperParanoid, I let the folks I was working for know about the situation (I am a consultant).  Low and behold, they sent me home.  You see, many companies are not taking chances and are sending people home to avoid having a workplace virus take over.  Unlike years past when companies would look the other way when you would sit in your office an tough it.

The big problem was that the folks toughing it out was that they would share it with others.  Thus you get airborne illness propagation.  Or Contact Propagation for the poor soul who sat in the chair of the sickie.

Fortunately,  companies are now being aggressive about illness (notice I did not say progressive – a bad word unless it is an insurance company).  They are seeing the value of staying home.  They are finally understanding that having sick folks at work causes more people to get sick – what a concept!

In my case, I will be working a few hours a day from home to get myself through.  Besides, there is only so much reading one can do.  I am too tired to get up and organize my sullpies for more than 30 minutes at a whack.  With the laptop and a voice recorder, I am setting up lists and mentally organizing my stuff however.

Here is the thought for the day:  You have 1 hours notice to evacuate.  What do you take with you?  Lets put a little challenge into it – you also have the flu, so your physical capacity is 50% of normal.  Are you organized enough to grab your legal papers and survival kits.  Do you know what the emergency is?  Could the escape cause more problems than sheltering in place.

Where I live, if you had to rely on the highway system, you would be screwed.  I have several back roads out, which could get me to New Mexico, California, Utah or Colorado.  What about your escape situation?  You can contact your Local Emergency Planning Commission and ask to speak with the Executive Director.  They will have information on evacuation planning and estimated times to get folks out of the communities.

Best of luck!