CDC Issues a Zombie Apocalypse 101 Primer

It's often a fun game in the preparedness circles to to rate how well prepared you are is by comparing it to the worst care scenario you may likely face.  The problem with this is that preparing for real life disasters that may or may not ever occur can be a little depressing and even boring .  Preppers usually combat this drabe mentality by adding a fun and humourous element, which in this case happens to be the popular culture phenomenon of a Zombie Apocalyse. 

Think about it, how often do you sit in a theater watching a zombie movie and think to yourself "I wonder how I'd compare?" or even "These people are idiots! I'd do ____ instead".  You can't help it!  Even I made light of this fact with an overly complicated and grossly inaccurate troll post back in April.

Well, turns out the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also believes that this is an effective way to reach out to people and encourage preparedness.  This week they've released a post on their blog detailing what it takes to deal with a Zombie Outbreak. It's obviously tongue-in-cheek, but I think it's a great way to garner attention through social media about the importance of preparedness.

And guess what?  It seems to be working!  The traffic generated by the post was enough to crash the server temporarily on Wednesday, which means that word is spreading!

I commend the CDC for making something as important as disaster preparedness fun and approachable for most people.

Small observation while watching 'SALT'...

About a week or two ago I sat down to relax and watched a few action movies that have been out for a while and have been meaning to catch up on. One of these movies happened to be SALT, an action/thriller movie staring Angelina Jolie as a CIA agent.

At one point in the movie she makes a daring escape from being held for suspicion of being a double agent, and quickly makes her way to her apartment. She runs in, grabs a backpack and gets out while being chased.

What she grabbed, is known as a Bug Out Bag (B.o.B.) and is quite different than an Emergency Kit. I was actually thrilled to see it placed in a movie like this, because it's something that we all should have packed and ready to go at a moments notice, not because we might be secret Russian assassins, but rather because it's a practical way to have the essentials you'll need should you have very little time to evacuate.

Evacuate from what? Well that depends on where you live and what could threaten you. Currently the Mississippi River is rising and has flooded the surrounding area has been declared a disaster zone, two months ago Japan was hit by a tsunami that wreaked havoc over the entire of Tōhoku . Disasters can happen anywhere and to anyone.