| Learn About H1N1 Flu at Oct. 14th Forum |
|
Have questions about H1N1 flu and our community's response? The public is invited to an H1N1 education program, sponsored by the American Medical Association, FEMA and the National Disaster Life Support Foundation coming up on Wednesday, October 14 from 7 to 8:30 pm. Members of the Eastern Nebraska/Western Iowa Medical Reserve Corps* will conduct the free session at the American Red Cross-Heartland Chapter at 2912 S. 80th Ave in Omaha. (Please enter on the building’s west side.) For more information on this specific session, call 522-7970 or email tmcmahon@uwmidlands.org.
The program is called CitizenReady ™, and the 90 minute course is intended to get people into the "citizen responder" frame of mind – to help with local pandemic planning and response. Community response has a direct impact on the spread of the disease and the local death rate. For instance, Philadelphia and St. Louis took different approaches during the 1918 flu pandemic that killed millions of U.S. citizens. Participants will find out why St. Louis had fewer flu cases and a much lower death rate. It’s also a good opportunity for citizens to find out the difference between the seasonal and pandemic influenzas. They’ll get tips on developing their own personal emergency plan, and will learn about the importance of such plans for workplaces and schools.
* The local Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) is comprised of health professionals who will volunteer their expertise if and when there is a disaster or public health emergency in our area. The MRC is sponsored by the U.S. Surgeon General's office, coordinated by United Way of the Midlands and operates in affiliation with local emergency managers and the Omaha Metropolitan Medical Response System. To learn more about the local MRC, click right here!
|
