Workin’ 9 to 5: Preparedness a challenge for low wage, hourly workers

Public health emergencies and disasters can be a strain for anyone, but for those who are already struggling to make ends meet — such as people who earn low, hourly wages — those threats can be devastating.

Recently, a staff member from the American Public Health Association met with a group of such workers in Washington, D.C. The group, which included people who worked in fast food, maintenance and a cleaning service, were asked what they would do in the event of a public health emergency or disaster such as pandemic flu.

Their responses were eye-opening: If they had to stay home due to pandemic flu or other public health emergency, the workers said they would be unpaid, and in some cases fired, if they were out a week or more. Missing work means a smaller paycheck, causing a strain for people who may not have much in reserve. The workers said they were familiar with planning efforts such as stockpiling, but given their financial constraints, were unable to do so. Overall, the workers said they felt disconnected, but wanted to be informed.

Their recommendations? Community groups, employers and health officials need to take special steps to make sure that people who are most vulnerable aren't overlooked.

Specifically, the workers said that employers should share information on preparedness at work. Given the large amounts of time spent on the job, the workplace would be an ideal forum for hourly-wage workers to receive pandemic flu information, including fact sheets, planning checklists and a list of resources such as food services or assisted care.

Employers should additionally make sure that if employees can't come to work because of a disaster that they wouldn't lose their jobs, the workers recommended.

Also helpful, said the workers, would be easier access to information. Pandemic flu-related materials should be disseminated in popular meeting places such as churches, public transportation stations, supermarkets and food banks, and not just online.

Only by recognizing now who is most vulnerable and reaching out to them can we truly say that our communities are prepared for the worst.

Do you have any other ideas how to distribute information about pandemic flu to our nation’s most vulnerable? What do you think would work? Let us know by using the comment feature below.

Local food banks play a critical role during disasters:

Today's guest blog entry is by Dr. J. Lee Pearson, director of special projects for the Arnold School of Public Health at the University of South Carolina


The effort to increase preparedness for public health threats is an essential and timely activity. We know that the unique circumstances of a public health emergency would test preparedness models in a myriad of ways, challenging individuals, families and communities alike to be even more self-reliant when such events occur. This challenge will be the greatest for the most vulnerable among us -- underscoring the need to highlight vulnerable groups as a focus of our overall preparedness efforts.

Many entities serve to alleviate the needs of vulnerable populations on a perpetual basis, but their challenges in doing so are immense. Local food banks, as a prime example of such entities, reflect the collective force of numerous charitable resources working together to reduce the burdens of hunger and food insecurity. The services they provide are an essential part of the community, but that essential nature will become even greater when disaster strikes. The need for continuity of operations for such facilities is of paramount importance, as are the logistical and structural components that form an operable environment.

Although we are all prone to think of supporting local food banks when times are good and food is plentiful, we must also think of them when times are challenging. It is then that the needs of local food banks and those they serve will be greatest. We must learn to support our community food banks on a consistent basis, so that they can better address the ongoing needs of vulnerable populations -- especially in times of disaster, such as if there were an influenza pandemic or outbreak of another emerging infectious disease.

As we dedicate time to the observance of National Public Health Week and its theme of preparing vulnerable populations, we must recognize the unique needs of local food banks and the populations they serve. So, I encourage you to take the first step and become involved in supporting your local food bank and, in turn, support the effort to protect vulnerable populations.

Community food banks: How to help

In 2005, more than 35 million Americans lived in households that did not have enough food, including 12.4 million children, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

And that's even before a disaster such as pandemic influenza, hurricanes or flooding strikes. Once a disaster occurs, demand on food banks can increase. In 2001, for example, Washington, D.C.-area food banks experienced a shortage of supplies after hotels, restaurants and other businesses closed following Sept. 11, forcing many low-wage workers to turn to food banks for help.

So what can you do to help? Here are some tips:
* Locate a food bank in your community. Call your local city or county office and ask where the nearest food bank is located, or use Second Harvest's online directory.

* Volunteer your time. Many food banks depend on volunteers to keep things running. Offer to work in your food bank office or to bag groceries for distribution. Some food banks also need drivers to pick up donated food from area grocery stores.

* Organize a food drive at your office or school. Most food banks have a list of items that they regularly need, so check with them first.

* Donate money. If you don't have time to help out, food banks are always in need of donations that can be used to purchase food or keep their offices running.

* Advocate for policies and legislation at the national level that will help people who need food or other assistance, such as the proposed 2-1-1 Act (see related blog entry below).

Remember that food banks need help year-round, not just at holidays. So the next time you are looking for a way to help out, remember your local food bank. Your community will thank you.

Give your support to 2-1-1 and make it easier for people in need to find help in a crisis

Every day, millions of people in the United States are in need of food banks, community pantries and soup kitchens. They are an important source of nutritional food for many low-income individuals and families and serve as a lifeline in a time of crisis.

But faced with the web of government agencies and countless help lines, people often don't know where to turn. That's where "2-1-1" comes in. Now in 41 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, 2-1-1 is a three-digit phone dialing system similar to 4-1-1 or 9-1-1. But in this case, dialing the number connects people who are seeking services to community-based organizations and government agencies that can help, whether it is during a family crisis or influenza outbreak.

2-1-1 was created and launched by United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta in 1997 and has grown to serve over 196 million Americans -- more than 65 percent of the U.S. population.

The system has already paid off: In the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, hundreds of thousands of people in Louisiana, Texas and Alabama called 2-1-1 looking for help with shelter, transportation, medical, food and water, construction materials and mental health. Because of its success, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has recognized the 2-1-1 system and has recommended expanding its reach nationwide. Under a bill currently before Congress, that could soon be come a reality.

The Calling for 2-1-1 Act, led by Sens. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., and Elizabeth Dole, R-N.C., and Reps. Anna Eshoo, D-Calif, and Fred Upton, R-Mich., would authorize funding to expand 2-1-1 systems across the United States. States would develop plans for implementing and administering the 2-1-1 funds, including training, public education campaigns and coordination of non-profit community services.

Now it's your turn to help make nationwide 2-1-1 a reality, and all it takes is a few clicks of your mouse. Visit the APHA advocacy page and send a message to your members of Congress in support of the Calling for 2-1-1 Act. That way, by the time the next disaster or family crisis rolls around, we will all have the benefit of 2-1-1 to give us a helping hand.

What a mom can do:

Today's guest blog entry is by Hope C., who lives Fairfield, Conn. The writer is a mother of two boys, ages 2 and 1, (with another one on the way).

When I was a little girl, my mother drove around town in our station wagon while I stood in the back of her car with my arm draped over the top of the seat. It was 1972; car seats weren’t yet law and parents were blissfully unaware of the many things we now know can harm children. While we’re better for the information we have today to protect our kids, the amount of it can be overwhelming and confusing. So last week when my sister (who works at the American Public Health Association) asked me if I had any emergency supplies set aside for the family for a public health emergency, such as pandemic flu or a flood, I fought the urge to immediately strangle her. At this moment, I am eight months pregnant and spend most of my time chasing my two little boys, both of whom are under the age of 3. Most days I am just grateful if my boys don’t grab anything hot or heavy -– let alone think about what I would do to protect my family in the event of a public health disaster.

In spite of my irritation with my well-meaning sister’s question about the number of gallons of water in my basement, I now find myself thinking about what little things I could do to prepare. What would my children do if we didn’t have access to food or clean water? My eyes suddenly welled up with tears when I thought of the mothers at the Superdome during Hurricane Katrina, crying to the news cameras that their children were hungry.

I know there will be many things I can’t protect my children from. I know that no matter how hard I try, my sons will run at top speed in the park and occasionally skin their knees in the process. I know that no matter how hard I try to clean their little hands, some other mucous-filled child will come along and sneeze on my kid giving him a cold. I know that no matter how hard I try, life is a messy unpredictable thing that I have limited control over. But, I’m a mother -– and my job is to protect them from what I can when it’s within my power and good for my children. Which is why I went to the grocery store last night and bought 20 gallons of water to put in our basement. Hopefully, we’ll never need it.


Editors Note: What motivates you to prepare? Use the comment tool (below) to let us know.