Prepping For Mandatory Quarantine: Now is the Time to Prepare

No doubt many of you have heard of the confirmation by the CDC that an Ebola victim was admitted to the Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas. Response teams were deployed to the Dallas area shortly after the announcement to watch individuals who the patient may have come in contact with. Dr. Tom Freiden, director of the CDC states, “Once those contacts are all identified, they’re all monitored for 21 days after exposure to see if they develop a fever.” If they do develop symptoms, then they will be placed in isolation to prevent further spread of the disease.

It is entirely possible that our world leaders waited too long in responding to the Ebola outbreak. To date, the outbreak in West Africa has sickened more than 6,000 people and killed 3,083, and experts believed it was only a matter of time before the virus hit closer to home. My question is if the experts knew it was only a matter of time, why have they not provided any actionable information or advice to the American public? It is not my intention to evoke hysteria, but creating emergency care facilities, the state department purchasing 160,000 Ebola Hazmat suits, government officials contacting funeral homes and advising them how to prepare corpses that are infected with Ebola, but not providing information to the public other than to wash our hands and stay calm is a great disservice.

Now is the Time to Prepare

When there is a concern for dangerous communicable diseases spreading, the CDC activates pandemic mitigation measures. Among these measures are: isolation and quarantines. These are the first steps in protecting the public by preventing exposure to infected persons or to persons who may be infected. Social distancing measures will follow in order to reduce further contact between the community. Quarantines can last anywhere from days to months depending on the severity of the contagion. Mandatory quarantines are backed up by laws and executive orders.

The official CDC website details ‘Specific Laws and Regulations Governing the Control of Communicable Diseases’, that even healthy citizens who have no existing symptoms would be forced to adhere to. Additionally, an executive order signed by President Obama at the end of July also allows for the “apprehension, detention, or conditional release of individuals to prevent the introduction, transmission, or spread of suspected communicable diseases.”

If a pandemic occurs, it can happen very quickly, therefore be prepared for potential changes that will occur within a community:

• Challenges or shutdowns of business commerce for an extended period
• Breakdown of basic infrastructure: communications, mass transportation, supply chains
• Interruption in public services such as water delivery and trash pickup
  Payroll service interruptions
• Staffing shortages in hospitals and medical clinics
• Interruptions in public facilities – Schools, workplaces may close, and public gatherings such as sporting events or worship services may close temporarily.

Prepping For a Quarantine

At the very least, a mandatory quarantine would last as long as the contagion exists in the community. Therefore, plan on having at the very least one month’s worth of supplies. The three day mandatory quarantines that occurred in Sierra Leone resulted in food shortages in many parts of the country because the citizens were not prepared. Now is the time to prepare your homes and your families for riding out this type of disaster.

• Limit social protocols – resist shaking hands, kissing, hugging. Limit your exposure as much as possible.
• Make a plan. Daisy Luther provides an excellent template for creating a pandemic plan. Further, to prepare for a pandemic event, talk with country cousins about staying with them for the duration or begin fixing up any remote properties in preparation for a long term pandemic event.
• Make preparations and discuss with family members the family’s pandemic plan.
• Have some entertainment available to family members: board games, books, art supplies, etc.
• Understand your community’s role in pandemic preparedness. Find out ahead of time what your community’s protocols are in the case of a sudden onset pandemic.
• For those with special needs, ensure that you have supplies ready for them (infants, elderly, handicapped, etc.).
• Plan accordingly for pets, as well.
• Periodically check your regular prescription drugs to ensure there is a continuous supply in your home.
• Have  non-prescription drugs and other health supplies on hand.
• Prepare a sick room for the home to limit family members’ exposure to the virus.
• Looters and crime waves can occur during this so ensure you have a means to protect yourself and your preps.
• Stay isolated until quarantine is lifted.

In the event you have no choice but to leave your home, Mac Slavo recommends the following:

If you’re forced to exit your home, you’re going to want to be fully protected, and that includes covering your hands, eyes, nose, and mouth.

In addition to the N-95 respirator masks, you may also consider upgrading to the more expensive N-100 respirators recommended by the World Health Organization.

Or, go with a full facemask. Insofar as your preparedness efforts are concerned, you may also be able to kill two birds with one stone here and go with a full face mask that includes NBC (Nuclear, Biological, Chemical) protection like the US-made NATO SGE 400/3 Military Gas Mask.  If going with such a mask, be sure to include some NBC filters.

To read more about pandemic preparedness, click here.

Pandemic Supply List

In The Prepper’s Blueprint, I have suggested these preps to purchase to prepare for pandemics:

One month supply of emergency foods that require no refrigeration.

• Store 1 gallon of water per person per day, in clean plastic containers.
• Plastic sheeting
• Gallon-sized zip-loc bags
• Portable toilet with disposable liners
• Supply of nonprescription drugs and pain relievers
• Cold medicines and decongestants
• Stomach remedies
• Duct tape
• Anti-diarrheal medication
• Essential oils
• Vitamins that have immune boosting enhancers
• Electrolytes
• Bleach or disinfectant
• Soap
• Tissues
• Garbage bags to collect soiled clothing and bedding before they are washed.
• A thermometer
• Protective eye gear and/or faceshield
• Tyvek protective suit and shoe covers
• Disposable cleaning gloves (in quantity)
• Hand wipes
• Alcohol-based hand sanitizers or homemade hand sanitizer supplies
• Protective clothing
• Disposable aprons or smocks (at least 2 cases)
• Duct tape for sealing off doorways and vents
• Disposable nitrile gloves (2-3 boxes)
• Garbage bags
• N95 masks or N100 respirator masks for use when the sick person is coughing or sneezing (can be purchased at hardware stores and some drugstores)

Related Reading:

Map of Ebola Quarantine Stations

Ebola Survival Handbook

Pandemic Preparedness Guide

What is the difference between N95 and N100 respirator masks?

Follow Pandemic News In Real Time: Pandemic Watch Community

This information has been made available by Ready Nutrition