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GetPandemicReady.org is a new, non-commercial, informational website. It was created by a group of concerned citizens from around the United States who came together to launch a web site offering practical and time-efficient advice to help families prepare for an influenza pandemic.

An influenza pandemic is a real and significant threat facing the United States and the world.

The problem is, it is difficult to perceive pandemic flu as a ‘real’ threat. There are many unknowns - unknown virulence, unknown start - and no generational memory of the 1918 pandemic.

It is also tough because there are both medical and non-medical challenges that must be met. Dr. David Nabarro, UN System Senior Coordinator for Avian and Human Influenza, summed this up at the National Emergency Management Summit in Washington DC, last week:

"Taken together, social, economic, governance and humanitarian consequences need to be treated with greater urgency than public health and clinical health problems."

The threat remains real and deadly. Significant funding and manpower has gone into federal planning.

However, the impact of all disasters is felt most deeply the local level, and a pandemic will affect communities at the same time.

In November 2007, the US Dept. of Health and Human Services launched its "Take the Lead" Campaign, asking citizen leaders to get their communities prepared for a pandemic, because governments will not be able to do it alone.

http://www.pandemicflu.gov/takethelead

A new website, http://GetPandemicReady.org, can help families and communities prepare, with information on hygiene, comfort, staying healthy, emergency basics, treating the flu, safety, and other special concerns.

Please check it out and share with others who may find it useful.