This checklist will help you to take steps to lessen the impact of a severe influenza pandemic on you and your family.  Many of these steps are good advice to help you and your family during any disaster, like an earthquake or flood.

AT HOME

Prepare to get by for at least a week on what you have at home. You may be unable to get to a store, or stores may not be open or may have limited supplies for weeks. Public services may also be disrupted, so prepare for outages in electricity, water, and garbage services. Keep extra supplies on hand (they can also be useful in other types of emergencies, such as power outages and natural disasters).

• Prepare for possible changes in healthcare. For example, medical advice and healthcare may be more difficult to obtain during a severe pandemic and healthcare providers and medical facilities may be overwhelmed. There may not be enough medical supplies, healthcare providers, and hospital beds for all persons who are ill.
• Difficult decisions about who receives medical care and how much treatment can be administered will be necessary. Talk about these possibilities with your family and loved ones.
• In a severe pandemic, you may be advised to stay away from others and from public places as much as possible. Plan to limit the number of trips you take to shop or run errands. Also, remember public transportation routes and times may be limited.
• Think about how you would care for people in your family who have disabilities if support services are not available.
• Decide who will take care of children if schools are closed.
• For general preparedness, agree on a point of contact where all family members can check-in if you are separated during any emergency.

Get an extra supply of your regular prescription drugs. Ask your healthcare provider for a prescription. If your insurance will not agree to cover the extra supply, you may need to pay out-of-pocket. Keep health supplies and nonprescription drugs on hand.

Examples of medical and health supplies

• Prescribed medicines and supplies, such as glucose meters and blood-pressure monitoring equipment
• Soap and water
• Alcohol-based hand cleaner, such as Purell^® or store-brand
• Medicines for fever and pain, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen
• Diarrhea remedy, such as Pepto-Bismol^® or Kaopectate^® (not generally recommended for children)
• Throat lozenges
• Cough syrup containing Dextromethorphan
• Thermometer(s)
• Vitamins
• Fluids with electrolytes, like Gatorade^® and Pedialyte^® (preferred for small children)

AT WORK

Staying at home from work when you are sick is the most important thing you can do to protect others.

Ask your employer or union about sick leave and policies about absences, time off, and telecommuting.

Every business, organization and agency should have a plan for making sure essential work can get done if large numbers of employees are absent over many months. You may be asked to perform duties that are not typically part of your job.

Find ways to reduce personal contact, such as increased use of e-mails or phone conferences. Plan to work from home whenever possible.

IN YOUR COMMUNITY

Talk with family, friends, and neighbors to make sure everyone is prepared. Be ready to help neighbors who are elderly or have special needs if services they depend on are not available.

Know policies about illness and being absent. Be prepared for school closures.

Assist with planning for emergency response to disasters and pandemic influenza.

Stay home from work and school when you are sick.
Stay away from others as much as possible when they are sick.
Wash hands frequently. Use soap and water or an alcohol-based hand cleaner, such as Purell® or store-brand.
Cover your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing.  Try using the crook of your elbow or your shoulder for cover, instead of hands. 
Throw away used tissues right away. If you use tissues to cover your cough or blow your nose, dispose of them in the nearest waste bin immediately after use, then wash hands.
Set an example for your children. Show them how to limit the spread of viruses and germs.