Pandemic Preparedness Protocol Being Instituted by Many

With mishandling of the Ebola threat by the feds, many are taking matters into their hands so they don't become victims. By following Pandemic Preparedness Protocol (or P3), citizens may be what stop Ebola in its tracks.

P3 is a simple five level system to protect oneself and their families from Ebola or other outbreaks. It requires frequent evaluation by the person of their risks. In other words, what are your risks and have they changed? So if you travel, or are around those who do, your risk are higher. Is there an outbreak or case in your town? Your region? Such considerations must be analyzed and monitored.

Level 4: Increased precautions: No touching of any public surfaces. Cleaning and disinfection after touching and public surface or contact with others.

Level 3: Includes Level 4 disinfection, while adding disinfection of any bought goods, mail. Begin to decrease unnecessary public exposure (restaurants, fairs, festivals — any non-work, school or grocery activity). Begin to stock supplies for short term disruptions.

Level 2: Cease any unnecessary public activities. Strict disinfection methods. Increase supplies for longer disruption of goods and services. Prepare for potential Level.

Some people hope for the best or go about their lives without a care in the world. Hopefully, the Ebola threat will pass with few incidents. But what if it does not? Being prepared is common sense. It means you don't have to be scared.

HEPA/P100 filters or better yet NBC (military style) filters
The face masks with the rubber bands that wrap around your head, ie P95/P99 will not filter down to virus sized elements. They will stop large droplets contaminated liquids.
The only way to ensure no amount of this virus gets in your system is what lab techs wear when dealing with this stuff.
You would look like darth vader, but protected. Then comes the process of removing the gear without the possibly contaminating yourself.
Full face respirators are made by many manufacturers. 3M, MSA, North or military style masks that use NATO style NBC 40mm replacement cartridges.

That's a tough one. If it were my child I would have a long talk about basic sanitation, being aware of the things you and others touch in the course of the day and the liberal use of soap, water and strong hand sanitizers. I would also make sure the student had a box of gloves, chlorine cleaning solution wipes, and a mask suitable for filtering viruses, and knew how to use them. Everything and everyone should be considered contaminated. Extra food and water could be stored in the dorm room in case it is needed.

Another factor to consider would be how he/she would have to travel home. I would think that I would rule out public transportation. We had a report that a woman who was supposed to be self-quarantined got sick at the Whiterock DART station. Not much more information that that was available.

I would also look into how many students from affected west African nations are enrolled. You can probably find that on their website since academics are proud of their diversity. I would also find out what emergency procedures the school has in the event of an outbreak of anything contagious.

I would make plans to decide when it is time for them to head home and make sure that the plan is followed. Lots of things to factor into a decision like this.

We don't get much information at the local level, most of it from places like FR, Drudge and national news. I still have contacts at the university and will post on FR if I hear anything that may be of concern. Best of luck to you and your son.

A chlorine solution of 0.5% is the most commonly used for decontamination. It can be made by diluting household bleach (which is a 3-6% chlorine solution) or adding chlorine tablets or powder to water. Question: How do you make a 0.5% chlorine solution from a 5% chlorine solution? (That is, how much water do you need to mix with 1 litre of 5% chlorine to make 0.5% chlorine?) A: 9 litres.

Great info for decon efforts. I think the guy's question may have been aimed at making infected water safe to drink - the 0.5% mixture wouldn't be potable. Any idea of how much bleach it might take to treat drinking water?

I was at a Lifestyles Unlimited weekend course, and they said that you should get constant training as an apartment manager, for mundane issues like tenant / eviction law, and more exciting things like how to handle ebola.
They are actually having presentations now on what the law allows if you have an ebola case and everyone vacates or has quarantine.

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