february 2, 2006
Christians Could be Vulnerable in Potential Avian Flu Pandemic
Christian Emergency Network (CEN) Chairman Mary Marr met with Dr. Scott Santabanez, U. S. Public Health Service Faith-Based representative at the National Center for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia to discuss the vulnerability of the Christian community should a pandemic, viral outbreak like the Avian Flu occur.
U. S. Health officials indicate that conditions are “prime” for a global pandemic given historical trends. CEN and CDC will create a coordinated response networking denominations, ministries, media and churches to be prepared in the event that a pandemic should occur.
Marr is asking Christians to prepare for this with a renewed commitment to be ready, “That God warns us and gives us a chance to prepare is a Biblical truth revealed to Noah, Esther, Joseph and Moses… To be prepared for a potential pandemic does not mean we believe it is inevitable, rather, we believe the cost of not preparing is too high to contemplate. We don’t prepare just for ourselves; we prepare to survive to share the Hope of Jesus Christ with those in need – with those who are unprepared.”
Fortunately, preparing for a pandemic is similar to preparing for other types of emergencies. The CEN sermon or Sunday school series helps church members make a plan, prepare a survival kit, stay informed and help others in the event of an emergency.
While serving as part of the CDC Hurricane response effort in the Gulf, Santabanez observed, “The Christian community is uniquely positioned to assist in keeping their community calm, providing trustworthy, timely, accurate information, and dispelling fear which most commonly paralyzes people in disasters such as a pandemic.”
Participating in the CEN training is one way to be ready.
Meeting with officials from the CDC Departments of Private and Public Partnerships, Community Health, Health Education, and Emergency Communications, CEN was briefed on critical issues related to viral pandemics or avian influenza and steps that CEN’s 7000 partners can take to mitigate the spread.
CDC equipped CEN with the necessary information to best inform, communicate, and prepare the Christian community at large and reviewed action steps for activating CEN’s vast network during a response effort. CEN will now have a direct communication link to officials within CDC - much like its relationship with Homeland Security - should a crisis occur.
Faith Based Organizations Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Checklist
Marr recommends viewing and applying the CDC family preparedness, faith-based, business checklists and power points, and staying informed through CEN Public Service Announcements, advisories, and media interviews.
To become informed on infectious diseases and other emergencies log onto The Christian Emergency Network "Be Informed" section.
To review the news release of Secretary Leavitt of the Department of Health and Service, to read the CDC Faith-Based & Community Organization Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Checklist, and to find additional resources please visit the CDC website www.pandemicflu.gov.
Please prepare as God calls you to pray, care and share.
Pray – that Christians would prepare now as respected officials have warned for any potential pandemic or other disaster so that they will be in a position to share the Hope of Christ effectively.
Care – for those around you by taking a few minutes to provide this urgent information on pandemic preparedness as well as how they may be kept informed through CEN updates by signing up for the free flash email service.
Share – seek out those without the peace that passes all understanding so that should crisis occur they too know the foundation of Christ within that allows us to stand.
SCRIPTURE: “In my distress I cried to the Lord, and He answered me.” Psalm 120:1
Used with permission. Learn more about the Christian Emergency Network
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