#676
Maryn McKenna, writing for CIDRAP (Center For Infectious Disease Research and Policy) at the University of Minnesota, has taken an important look at a vital issue; the gap between government pandemic planning and the grass roots community.
I've only included a snippet. It is well worth your time to follow the link and read the entire article.
Pandemic planners urged to tap grass roots
Apr 17, 2007 (CIDRAP News) – Governmental plans for an influenza pandemic are missing an important opportunity to improve US preparedness, according to two new reports: They are not reaching out to communities and grass-roots groups that could refine plan details and increase public support.
Meanwhile, ad hoc communities and preparedness alliances are forming—in the real world and online—with minimal input from government planners. And, confirming the reports' concerns, some members of those communities say they have networks and resources to offer to official efforts, but are frustrated by their inability to make themselves heard.
The first report, "Community Engagement: Leadership Tool for Catastrophic Health Events," was published Apr 4 by the Center for Biosecurity at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC). The report, which sums up the findings of a 27-member panel convened by the center during 2006, asserts that official planning incorrectly assumes the public will panic and create a "secondary disaster."
"The civic infrastructure—comprised of the public's collective wisdom and capability to solve problems; voluntary associations (both virtual and face-to-face) that arise from shared interests or a public good; and social service organizations that look out for the well-being of various groups—is essential to managing a mass health emergency," the report says.
Long time readers of this blog know that I support the idea that we need to work together as a community, and in our neighborhoods, during any crisis, including a pandemic. So the message in this article is of particular importance to me.
In writing this article, Ms. McKenna interviewed a number of bloggers, including DemFromCt of the Flu Wiki, SophiaZoe of A Journey Through the World of Pandemic Influenza, Crawford Kilian from Crofsblog, and your's truly.
I'm humbled to have been included in such illustrious company. Thank you Maryn, it was a pleasure speaking with you.
Maryn McKenna is a contributing writer for CIDRAP, has won numerous journalism awards, and is the author of Beating Back the Devil: On the Front Lines with the Disease Detectives of the Epidemic Intelligence Service.
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