My Community and the Flu Pandemic
The Great Influenza Pandemic of 1918-1919 spread across the globe in waves that wiped out almost 5 percent of the world’s population (Marrin, 2018). The substantial impact raised serious questions about the abilities of vulnerable communities to respond to a flu pandemic today.
I believe that my community is vulnerable to a flu pandemic today. Flu is mainly caused by viruses that are difficult to control and determine their modes of transmission. According to Marrin (2018), flu presents challenges because of its ability to change from one form to another. Since the main mode of transmission is human to human, raising public awareness can be an effective method to contain the pandemic. My community is unprepared to handle a flu pandemic because many members are skeptical about its vaccination. The community has not been sensitized enough on the importance of vaccination. Fighting flu is a critical process that requires a community effort. As such, I feel that a lot needs to be done to increase awareness of pandemic flu.
Indeed, several changes have occurred in my community since the Great Influenza Pandemic of 1918-1919. People now realize the magnitude of such global challenges. Therefore, they adhere to the protocols required to address the problem posed by the flu. Despite this, there is still a long way to go in the education and sensitization of people on the adverse effects of global pandemics. It is possible to contain a flu pandemic from spreading by using mass media campaigns to create public awareness in the fight against flu. Additionally, the process of raising awareness requires the coordination and effort of community leadership. In developing the capacity to mitigate the impacts of flu, my community is embracing the use of a whole-society approach. In this approach, every individual, family, and community collaborates with the health sector to facilitate flu pandemic preparedness and response.
Reference
Marrin, A. (2018). Very, Very, Very Dreadful: The Influenza Pandemic of 1918. Knopf Books for Young Readers.