I read somewhere that some states or localities, don’t remember which, said that they cannot activate their pandemic plans until WHO says it’s a pandemic. I sure hope that’s not true and that leaders of these agencies have the sense to ignore the red tape.
I also read somewhere years ago they didn’t recommend shutting schools until 30% are sick. I’ve seen that number thrown around now. That protocol needs to be thrown out the window too.
Our “emergency plans” required a state declaration of an Emergency.
The reason for this was that it triggered a cooperative situation with regional hospitals. For example certain cases could be diverted, emergency triage facilities would be established, etc. that stuff is expensive. In addition, in the middle of my city, merely setting stuff up would trigger a communications issue that would have to be addressed.
All that stuff needs to be staffed. We cannot trigger mandatory OT for nurses and other union staff without a declaration. It’s in the contracts.
And, it isn’t necessary yet. That doesn’t mean the staff cannot be going through the “stuff” they need. For example, someone needs to go through the inventory of supplies to confirm stuff hasn’t expired and identify short stocks in the inventory.
I am sure they are talking. But in my old facilities they just consolidated about 80% of the emergency prep staff over 5 hospitals. They consolidated them out of work.
From a logistical and emergency communication perspective, I can assure you they are not prepared. All new systems in the last six months. And the people who would be using these systems intro hospitals haven’t been trained.
Ramp up is going to take a while.