I came across an article in a news source citing how the US government could improve its efforts to prepare for the bird flu pandemic threat. (Full story in http://www.fluradar.com, April 18 issue.)
‘Tis quite striking, really. Two independent reports pointed out that the nation’s pandemic plans are missing an important opportunity—by not tapping communities and grassroot groups—to improve preparedness.
The US is now in the same spotlight as the UK government was when The Royal Society and the Academy of Medical Science submitted their evaluation of my country’s readiness to face the bird flu threat. How interesting to see—and compare notes--how the US will respond—or whether it will—to critical but constructive observations.
Remarkably, the reports agreed on the same thing: Get the people involved!—and recommended that this be done immediately.
One of the reports quoted Jason Corburn, assistant professor in the urban planning program at Columbia University, New York City:
"Engaging community members and their knowledge about how they move through the world, and what they know about their disease management and exposure risks in their community, can contribute to better science and policy."
And also noted risk communication expert Peter Sandman of Princeton, N.J.:
“Tapping communities' self-knowledge, rather than dictating to them, ought to be an essential component of pandemic planning.”
Everyone will be affected should there be a pandemic, after all. Indeed, why not tap the power of communities determined, unified, and prepared, which can move mountains, to, at least, increase the awareness of bird flu?
Although the powers-that-be have supposed taken great strides to prepare for this global health threat, most people remain skeptical and very critical (particularly myself) of results, motives, and effectivity. Do you not wonder why, despite these supposedly Herculean efforts, the message of “bird flu is a serious global health threat and that we should be prepared because it could devastate the world should it develop into a strain capable of human-to-human transmission” does not get across to those who matter most and who can do the most—the public?
Mass media tools are not being maximized to channel important information. We in Flublogia are doing our best to inform, educate, motivate, and scare up action, but, the reality is, what we can do and accomplish are very limited.
The vast majority remains ignorant—and worse, the most likely next-victims of this pandemic threat do not even have access to or would not even know of the medium we are using. On a positive note, the reports are very timely. They reinforce the need to strengthen pandemic preparedness plans and give communities the chance to take up the cause.
Empowerment. In the fight against bird flu, no one should be empty-handed
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