To Sandia employees, retirees, and their families:
A lot has been said about the "bird flu," or avian influenza, in the news media lately, and it's not always easy to separate fact from fiction. One thing is clear: We don't know whether the avian flu will reach the United States as a global epidemic or whether it will remain primarily in the bird population. There are too many uncertainties to make that call just yet.
From my point of view as a medical doctor, it is clear that a public health event such as the rapid spread of a deadly flu virus among the human population in the U.S. would stretch our nation's emergency response and health infrastructures to their limits and perhaps beyond. If that happens, we need to be prepared.
Sandia has been following the avian flu for several months now and we are preparing for a range of potential impacts, on Sandia's people and on its operations, should an influenza pandemic reach our nation's doorstep. First and foremost I am concerned about the well-being of you and your family. For that reason, we have begun a planning effort that will address as a priority, to the best of our ability, your health and safety in the workplace. Our planning activities are being developed in concert with Lockheed Martin. More information will be available on this website and in various Sandia publications as this planning develops.
There are a number of preparedness measures you can take to help protect yourselves and your families, as well. The most important first step is to learn enough about the avian flu and the history of pandemics to make sound and rational decisions. In addition, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends family and individual planning, including gathering a home emergency supply kit to help see you through a long period of isolation at home, something you might not have planned for in the past. You will find links on this website to help you begin these very important preparations.
As we move forward in our planning efforts, information will be available through this site and other publications to keep you informed of the status and progress. I urge you to learn more about the avian flu, to think about how a major public health crisis might affect you at work and at home, and to stay tuned. I believe this preparation will come in handy, if not as the result of an avian flu pandemic tomorrow, perhaps during another public health emergency later.
Sincerely,
Larry Clevenger, M.D.
Sandia Medical Director
Director, Health, Benefits, and Employee Services Center 3300