How are we doing?

In December 2005 The Christchurch Press ran a survey to see how Cantabrians were doing with their preparation efforts: the result? Most of us KNOW what we should be doing, but we seem to think we have all the time in the world…

Christchurch people have generally been slow to heed the warnings to prepare for a potential pandemic, while others are 'prepared for Armageddon'. The Press conducted a survey of 100 Christchurch people and found only 28 had taken steps to enable them to hunker down safely if a pandemic struck.

The Canterbury District Health Board sent out a pamphlet outlining what is necessary for a survival kit, but few of those surveyed had read the pamphlet or followed its advice. However, Jasmine Deane, 46, said the pamphlet and a television advertisement had raised the family's awareness and she had planned to start stocking up the next time she shopped for groceries.

Some of those in The Press' unscientific survey said they had thought about stocking up on extra provisions such as tinned food and water, but had not yet got around to it. Most knew what they were supposed to have although some balked at the expense of Tamiflu.

Of the 28 who had taken precautions, some had only stocked up on extra food or seen their doctor for a Tamiflu prescription.

But the 20 who had thrown themselves wholeheartedly into taking precautions were fully prepared with all the gear - food, water, candles, paracetamol, toilet paper, soap, disinfectant, masks and gloves. Some even had chlorine water purifiers or water stored in glass.

Nicole Sarginson, 24, said she began preparing about six weeks ago. She was waiting for the Tamiflu prescriptions to be filled and had stocks of paracetamol. The family, who live on a farm at Charing Cross, had bought a generator and had a freezer filled with pork, beef and lamb. "If it isn't pandemic it will be something else and we want to totally protect ourselves and the children," she said.

For pensioner Peter Whiteside, and his wife Meta, they "have always had a civil defence kit with medical supplies, masks and water," said Meta.

Juliet McFadden, who works at the Citizens' Advice Bureau, said she had a full survival kit, including Tamiflu, which she had gotten earlier as she has a medical condition. Juliet said she was not sure whether to make full preparations, but as a Civil Defence volunteer she knew she may be called on during an epidemic.

Julie Richardson said she had enough food for two weeks "tucked away" and a water tank that could support the family for five days. The family believed the pandemic was inevitable and were prepared to take all precautions when it became a reality.

Ann Carne said she was "prepared for Armageddon". She had put her kit together several months ago and it contained masks, gloves, food and water. "My friends say they couldn't believe my preparations for Y2K but this time I have gone all out," Ann said.

Most of the people who had made provisions for an emergency said they had consulted their doctors about getting Tamiflu. Some had a prescription waiting to be filled, but others had been advised by their doctors not to bother as the medication might not be the most effective preventative.

Of the 72 people who had not started putting together a survival kit, about half said they did not intend to do anything. Some thought the whole thing had been blown up by the media and considered it a waste of time and money to stock up.

Courtesy of The Press