A Plan for a Pandemic

By Mike Allen

President Bush last week unveiled his plan to deal with an outbreak of a disease like bird flu. Here are the highlights of his strategy.

What's the President's plan? His Implementation Plan released last week was the follow-up to the 12-page National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza issued in November. It's not easy reading. Inside the snazzy red, white and blue covers are 227 pages of dense bureaucratese. The White House plan is to try to contain problems overseas, show the country that the President is in command and keep people informed so they will be calmer. Local and state governments are urged to prepare as for a terrorist attack or natural disaster. In other words, don't rely on the feds.

What could happen in a pandemic? The plan estimates that a pandemic could kill 200,000 to 2 million U.S. citizens. It also says the U.S. lacks "adequate stockpiles of antiviral medications and plans to distribute the supplies we have."

What if avian flu strikes? State and local law enforcement, backed by the National Guard, may have to isolate or quarantine victims. The U.S. would not seal borders with Canada and Mexico; that would not stop a pandemic and "would have significant negative social, economic and foreign policy consequences," the plan says. The Administration may order the screening of people flying into the U.S., though carriers of the virus who show no symptoms could evade detection.

What can individuals and businesses do? Wash your hands. Clean sinks, railings, keyboards and phones--the virus can survive up to two days on hard surfaces. Reduce face-to-face meetings. Encourage telecommuting as well as flexible work hours. Keep 3 ft. of distance from other people ("spatial separation," in governmentspeak). Oh, and cover your mouth when you cough.