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You got to be fraking kidding me!?
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When 'zombies' attack, the government wants you prepared
When 'zombies' attack, the government wants you prepared
Wonder why Zombies, Zombie Apocalypse, and Zombie Preparedness continue to live or walk dead on a CDC web site? As it turns out what first began as a tongue in cheek campaign to engage new audiences with preparedness messages has proven to be a very effective platform. We continue to reach and engage a wide variety of audiences on all hazards preparedness via Zombie Preparedness; and as our own director, Dr. Ali Khan, notes, "If you are generally well equipped to deal with a zombie apocalypse you will be prepared for a hurricane, pandemic, earthquake, or terrorist attack." So please log on, get a kit, make a plan, and be prepared!
Amid mounting concerns over what some say is an impending war with the undead, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Kansas Adjutant General's Department are urging citizens to be ready for a zombie apocalypse.
"You may laugh now, but when it happens, you'll be happy you read this..." a CDC website devoted to zombie preparedness says.
And the Kansas Adjutant General's Department has proclaimed October as Zombie Preparedness Month.
Emergency preparedness officials have thoroughly researched zombie propaganda, including movies such as "Resident Evil" and "Night of the Living Dead," to know how to best defend against a zombie attack.
Based on that research, it is likely that zombies are created by an infectious virus passed on via biting or contact with bodily fluids. With that in mind, the CDC suggests avoiding zombies or undead persons at all costs, which may necessitate holing up in a home or basement for days at a time.
To that end, state and national emergency preparedness groups suggest creating an emergency kit including the following:
* Water (1 gallon per person per day);
* Food (especially nonperishable items you eat regularly);
* Medications (prescription and nonprescription);
* Tools and supplies (utility knife, duct tape, battery powered radio, etc.);
* Sanitation and hygiene items;
* Clothing and bedding;
* Important documents (copies of driver's license, passport, birth certificate, etc.);
* First aid supplies.
In addition to making an emergency kit, the CDC and Kansas Adjutant's General's Department suggest coming up with a family emergency plan, including:
* Several rendezvous points for your family to meet in the case of a zombie attack. The CDC suggests selecting a point inside your home, outside of your home and outside of your neighborhood in the event that you are unable to return home.
* Emergency contact numbers for police and fire departments. It is wise to have an out-of-state contact to call who can let other family members know you are safe.
* Several evacuation routes. Zombies are driven by hunger (for brains) and will not stop until they find a food source. Find multiple routes to get out of town.
Back to reality
In reality, no one is really worried about zombies attacking.
But the CDC and Kansas Adjutant General's Department are taking advantage of popular culture's interest in Hollywood's portrayal of zombies to remind people to take an "all-hazards approach" to preparing themselves for tornadoes, floods, fires, hurricanes, terrorist attacks and other disasters.
By jokingly telling the public how to prepare for a zombie attack, emergency preparedness officials are arming citizens to handle any emergency with the same basic preparations: Create an emergency kit that will allow your family to survive for a minimum of three days and devise an emergency plan and practice it so your family knows what to do if disaster strikes.
"We felt like this was a catchy idea and a new approach," said Sharon Watson, Kansas Adjutant General's Department spokeswoman. "I think this will help us draw in some attention we might not get otherwise. Hopefully it will help people look at emergency preparedness with a new perspective and we'll still get the end result we are wanting - for people to think about what they need to do as a family to prepare for the disasters we see in Kansas."
Another zombie movie? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is using the imaginary threat of zombies to remind the public to be prepared for other disasters. Their marketing campaign includes posters, a novella and social media efforts. The CDC is also sponsoring a video contest with the winning videos featured on the CDC homepage and YouTube channel. Visit www.cdc.gov/phpr/zombies.htm for more information.
"You may laugh now, but when it happens, you'll be happy you read this..." a CDC website devoted to zombie preparedness says.
And the Kansas Adjutant General's Department has proclaimed October as Zombie Preparedness Month.
Emergency preparedness officials have thoroughly researched zombie propaganda, including movies such as "Resident Evil" and "Night of the Living Dead," to know how to best defend against a zombie attack.
Based on that research, it is likely that zombies are created by an infectious virus passed on via biting or contact with bodily fluids. With that in mind, the CDC suggests avoiding zombies or undead persons at all costs, which may necessitate holing up in a home or basement for days at a time.
To that end, state and national emergency preparedness groups suggest creating an emergency kit including the following:
* Water (1 gallon per person per day);
* Food (especially nonperishable items you eat regularly);
* Medications (prescription and nonprescription);
* Tools and supplies (utility knife, duct tape, battery powered radio, etc.);
* Sanitation and hygiene items;
* Clothing and bedding;
* Important documents (copies of driver's license, passport, birth certificate, etc.);
* First aid supplies.
In addition to making an emergency kit, the CDC and Kansas Adjutant's General's Department suggest coming up with a family emergency plan, including:
* Several rendezvous points for your family to meet in the case of a zombie attack. The CDC suggests selecting a point inside your home, outside of your home and outside of your neighborhood in the event that you are unable to return home.
* Emergency contact numbers for police and fire departments. It is wise to have an out-of-state contact to call who can let other family members know you are safe.
* Several evacuation routes. Zombies are driven by hunger (for brains) and will not stop until they find a food source. Find multiple routes to get out of town.
Back to reality
In reality, no one is really worried about zombies attacking.
But the CDC and Kansas Adjutant General's Department are taking advantage of popular culture's interest in Hollywood's portrayal of zombies to remind people to take an "all-hazards approach" to preparing themselves for tornadoes, floods, fires, hurricanes, terrorist attacks and other disasters.
By jokingly telling the public how to prepare for a zombie attack, emergency preparedness officials are arming citizens to handle any emergency with the same basic preparations: Create an emergency kit that will allow your family to survive for a minimum of three days and devise an emergency plan and practice it so your family knows what to do if disaster strikes.
"We felt like this was a catchy idea and a new approach," said Sharon Watson, Kansas Adjutant General's Department spokeswoman. "I think this will help us draw in some attention we might not get otherwise. Hopefully it will help people look at emergency preparedness with a new perspective and we'll still get the end result we are wanting - for people to think about what they need to do as a family to prepare for the disasters we see in Kansas."
Another zombie movie? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is using the imaginary threat of zombies to remind the public to be prepared for other disasters. Their marketing campaign includes posters, a novella and social media efforts. The CDC is also sponsoring a video contest with the winning videos featured on the CDC homepage and YouTube channel. Visit www.cdc.gov/phpr/zombies.htm for more information.
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