Pandemic Preparedness
Click on the pages below to find out how you can prepare your home, school, business or place of worship for a pandemic. There are specific steps you can take in each location to make sure that you have an effective emergency plan in place and the supplies that you need.
Here are a few resources that will provide timely information during a pandemic:
- The OC Health Care Agency will provide local updates and guidance.
- Check the CDC website for the latest updates and guidance, or subscribe to the CDC’s Email Updates.
- AlertOC sends out emergency information specific to Orange County residents.
- The California Department of Public Health has public health resources for Californians.
If a pandemic is declared, it is likely that you’ll be spending a lot of time at home. It is important that your home is stocked with supplies that will ensure you and everyone you live with is as safe as possible.
Creating an emergency kit for a pandemic will help you stay safe and reduce your stress if a pandemic is declared. It is important to buy these items slowly and over time so that everyone has an opportunity to get the items they need. Make sure that your emergency kit has enough supplies for everyone in your household to rely on for several days or weeks.
In addition to your emergency kit, you should also develop a pandemic emergency plan with your household. The plan should include what you will do if a pandemic occurs and how this may affect your other emergency plans.
You should also review your health insurance policies and create password-protected digital copies of important legal documents.
Include these items in your emergency preparedness kit to be self-sufficient for several days:
- Cleaning supplies
- Hand sanitizer
- Prescriptions
- Face masks (check out the CDC’s Guide to Masks)
- Non-perishable foods
- Bottled water
- Find a full list of what to pack in an emergency kit here.
If you are an educator or work with children, there are steps you can take to prepare for a pandemic emergency. Visit ready.gov/educators-organizations for more information about how to prepare for and manage the effects of a pandemic.
If you’re a student, check out ready.gov/kids to learn about emergency preparedness.
Having a pandemic emergency plan in place for your business can help protect your business and staff members. Employees and customers will need guidance, and developing an emergency plan ahead of time can help your return to normal operations as soon as possible.
If you are a business owner, you should consider developing these plans:
Consider how you will prepare your place of worship for a pandemic:
- Determine how you will get emergency alerts and warnings.
- Figure out the emergency supplies that you and others at your place of worship will need, and make a plan to purchase and store the emergency supplies.
- Make sure that everyone who attends your place of worship is informed about the emergency plan.
During a pandemic, here are precautions that you can take to protect yourself and stay healthy:
- Frequently wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
- Refrain from touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
- Stay home if you feel sick.
- Clean frequently-touched surfaces and objects, such as cell phones.
- Wear a face mask when in public.
- Follow local health and safety guidelines.