VashonBePrepared: Do just one thing

Plus, news you can use about bird flu.

January 9, 2025 11:30 am
It’s important to share information about sick birds and other animals, to help the USDA and CDC track the spread of the particular bird flu strain of most concern. It’s called Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). Bird, livestock, and pet owners who observe signs of avian flu in their animals should immediately contact their veterinarian and call the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) toll-free hotline (866-536-7593). (University of Georgia infographic)
It’s important to share information about sick birds and other animals, to help the USDA and CDC track the spread of the particular bird flu strain of most concern. It’s called Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). Bird, livestock, and pet owners who observe signs of avian flu in their animals should immediately contact their veterinarian and call the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) toll-free hotline (866-536-7593). (University of Georgia infographic)

It’s that time of year when many of us list New Year’s resolutions. How about thinking outside the box this year?

Sure, you may be thinking about getting in better shape, decluttering the shed, or taking steps to slow climate change. Those are all popular goals for the new year. But what if you put at least one thing on your list of resolutions to make your household safer and better prepared to deal with a disaster?

Take just one preparedness step, and you’ll make a huge difference on a really bad day of severe weather, during an earthquake, or in other household emergencies.

It can be hard to get motivated to prepare your household for a bad day you hope will never come. Also, the list of tasks can be daunting, and it can be hard to know where to start. You can start by downloading download the Prepare in a Year guide at tinyurl.com/PrepareYearGuide.

• Put together a grab-and-go kit.

• Get the family together for a home hazard hunt.

• Store a flashlight and shoes under the bed.

• Practice drop, cover, and hold on.

• Store three weeks of water and non-perishable food.

• Make a family action plan.

• Make a communication plan to reunite the family after a disaster.

• Gather your household’s important documents and secure them.

• Learn about fire and utility safety.

You don’t have to do everything on the list. For 2025, pick just one thing from the Prepare in a Year guide and do it. Once you get started, you might wonder why you waited, because getting ready for the unexpected feels powerful. Once you get going, you might even be inspired to follow through with the rest of the Prepare in a Year booklet — taking one little action step, one month at a time.

The main thing is to get started. In 2025, empower yourself. Resolve to begin by doing just one thing.

What about bird flu?

We’ve been getting many questions about bird flu lately. People are expressing growing worry — a sense of “here we go again” unease — as we think back to the COVID-19 pandemic. We keep hearing dramatic news reports about bird flu affecting wild birds, other wild animals, domestic livestock, and even humans. Recently, an outbreak killed twenty animals at a big cat sanctuary in Shelton, Washington.

For humans, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been monitoring bird flu using the same robust, proven system the organization uses for tracking seasonal influenza. The CDC says there have been zero reports of person-to-person spread, and the current public health risk is low. You can stay on top of the situation by checking the CDC web page for H5 bird flu: tinyurl.com/BirdFluMonitoring.

Even though the human public health risk is low, there are some precautions you can take. Check out this very thorough article from Yale Medicine: tinyurl.com/YaleMedBirdFlu.

Here on Vashon, there are far more animals than humans, so it makes sense to keep an eye on pets and livestock. The American Veterinary Medical Association has published a list of avian influenza signs to watch for in birds, cats, and dogs:

• Purple discoloration or swelling of various body parts.

• Nasal discharge, coughing, or sneezing.

• Reddened, inflamed eyes.

• Lack of coordination.

• Diarrhea.

• Low energy or appetite.

• Neurological signs such as lack of coordination or tremors.

• Sudden death with no prior signs of illness.

• For birds, reduced egg production or soft-shelled/misshapen eggs.

The USDA Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service (APHIS) provides a web page of detailed advice on preventing the spread of bird flu, particularly relevant if you have a flock of birds: tinyurl.com/APHISbirdflu.

Vashon Pharmacy says thanks

Tyler Young, owner of Vashon Pharmacy, put it this way in a thank you note to the volunteers who have helped during the pharmacy’s mass vaccination efforts: “The success of the vaccination efforts at the pharmacy would not have been possible without the support of individuals like you. Your professionalism, compassion, and commitment to the well-being of others made a significant difference.”

Young continued: “Not only did you assist with administering vaccines, but your positive attitude and willingness to help created a welcoming and reassuring environment for our island residents when so many needed it most.”

The note went to Vashon Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) members, as well as volunteers from the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), and the Vashon Emergency Operations Center (EOC).

In the note to volunteers, the pharmacy announced that it has created the Marijke van Heeswijk Humanitarian Scholarship to be awarded by the Vashon Community Scholarship Foundation. The $1,000 scholarship will go to a high school senior who has shown exceptional dedication and care for their community.

The scholarship honors EOC volunteer Marijke van Heeswijk, “who spends countless hours ensuring that our vaccination efforts run smoothly.”