When someone asks me, “What are you prepping for?” my answer is that I don’t prep for one particular event because I’m an “all hazards” prepper. But I know what the real question is.
“What do you think is the most likely serious “disaster” to occur?”
To that, I answer without hesitation: Pandemic.
While flu is the most likely source of the next pandemic we face in the United States, concerns about the Ebola virus — its unprecedented outbreak in some African countries over the years, fears that it is spreading to other countries, and its appearance in the U.S. back in 2014 — started people talking about the possibility of a widespread pandemic here in the United States.
You can watch Survival Mom’s free video lesson, “Practical Pandemic Prep” at this link for specific information related to the current coronavirus.
A Few Pandemic Facts
Illnesses and diseases are not considered pandemics if they only sicken or kill a lot of people. To qualify as a pandemic, the illness must be contagious. (This explains why heart disease and cancer, though they kill millions every year, are not considered pandemics.)
An epidemic is a contagious illness that affects more people than average but is contained in one geographic area. A pandemic is one that crosses borders and stretches around the globe as we are now seeing with coronavirus, COVID-19.
One of the earliest recorded pandemics was the Plague of Athens in 430 B.C.
The “Black Death” in the 14th Century killed more than 75 million people.
The US has been affected by three major pandemics/epidemics since the early 1900’s.
The Spanish Flu of 1918-1919 killed almost 700,000 people in the United States and more than 20 million worldwide. Schools and businesses were shut down, and essential services were shut down because of ill workers.
In 1952 an outbreak of Polio affected almost 60,000 people, killing more than 3,000. Whole cities were quarantined to help stop the spread.
The Asian Flu (similar to the bird flu and swine flu) hit the US in 1957. Thanks to a quickly produced vaccine, the end came within months, but not before killing nearly 70,000 Americans.
The Women's Outdoor News, aka The WON, features news, reviews and stories about women who are shooting, hunting, fishing and actively engaging in outdoor adventure. This publication is for women, by women.
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