The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released its much-anticipated Zombie Apocalypse preparedness kit. Citizens can now access buttons, badges and widgets available for use on Websites and social media profiles to help spread the message.
In all seriousness, the campaign is a clever, creative approach to getting the word out about emergency preparedness.
However, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
From the CDC Website:
“The rise of zombies in pop culture has given credence to the idea that a zombie apocalypse could happen. In such a scenario zombies would take over entire countries, roaming city streets eating anything living that got in their way. The proliferation of this idea has led many people to wonder “How do I prepare for a zombie apocalypse?'”
Here’s an overview of how CDC would respond:
If zombies did start roaming the streets, CDC would conduct an investigation much like any other disease outbreak. CDC would provide technical assistance to cities, states, or international partners dealing with a zombie infestation. This assistance might include consultation, lab testing and analysis, patient management and care, tracking of contacts, and infection control (including isolation and quarantine). It’s likely that an investigation of this scenario would seek to accomplish several goals: determine the cause of the illness, the source of the infection/virus/toxin, learn how it is transmitted and how readily it is spread, how to break the cycle of transmission and thus prevent further cases, and how patients can best be treated. Not only would scientists be working to identify the cause and cure of the zombie outbreak, but CDC and other federal agencies would send medical teams and first responders to help those in affected areas.
For those not familiar or are skeptical, here’s a feature length overview of the havoc zombies can wreak: