What is SJ County doing to prepare?
A. Planning for a flu pandemic is a tremendous challenge for all levels of government. Here in the islands, the primary focus is on increasing awareness- first within public agencies, and then within the general public. Meetings and table-top exercises with community leaders, public health staff, emergency responders, and health care providers have been happening since late in 2004 and are continuing. As in all disasters, communication is critical, and as cooperation and understanding increases, our ability to respond improves. The San Juan County Department of Health and Community Services has stockpiled enough face masks for roughly one third of the islands’ population, but having a supply of masks for your family is a great idea.
