Lack of consensus on pandemic preparations among US states

Flu pandemic preparations vary widely, and there is very little consensus on the best policies among US states. The Associated Press conducted a survey and also found that half of the states have relied heavily on federal funds for pandemic planning, instead of spending their own funds.

Fifty one different policies and emergency planning will result in chaos when a pandemic hits the US. Just look at how disastrous the Katrina response was among gulf states because there was no clear SOP from the fed.

“Where you live shouldn’t determine your level of preparedness,” said Jeff Levi, executive director of the Trust for America’s Health. “This is not a question of letting 51 flowers bloom. The federal government, as the primary payer and the entity that can see the biggest picture, needs to define a minimum standard of protection that every American can expect.”

Sad to say, it looks like the CDC doesn’t have a handle on things either. Security consultant and blogger W. David Stephenson actually called on the agency to work with the public on the ground and in the web to get things done “by, say, noon today.” Hear, hear.

[News Source: WashingtonPost]