ABOUT PANDEMICS
Earthquakes (sometimes referred to as tremors, quakes, or temblors) occur within the earth’s crust and result in the release of seismic waves. When these waves reach the surface of the earth, they can result in violent shaking.
The energy released by an earthquake is measured with a device called a seismometer. Seismometers determine the magnitude of an earthquake. Earthquakes with magnitudes of 3.0 or less are usually imperceptible, while earthquakes with magnitudes of 6.5 or higher can result in significant damage over large areas.
About 500,000 earthquakes occur each year but only about 1 in 5 can actually be felt. Small earthquakes occur constantly in earthquake prone areas like Alaska and California.
Seismologists determined long ago that small earthquakes occur much more frequently than larger earthquakes. According to the Gutenberg-Richter Law, it is 10 times more likely that a 3.0 magnitude earthquake will occur than a 4.0 magnitude earthquake. Likewise, it is 10 times more likely that a 4.0 magnitude earthquake will occur than a 5.0 magnitude earthquake. With that said, there are about 18 large earthquakes measuring 7.0 to 7.9 each year across the globe and usually 1 great earthquake measuring 8.0 or greater.
While earthquakes cannot be predicted to a precise degree, historical data allows seismologists to determine the frequency and magnitudes of earthquakes ever a longer period of time and within a given area. For example: Seismologists warn that a magnitude 8.0 or larger earthquake will occur along California’s San Andreas Fault within the next 30 years.
While an earthquake can do great damage to buildings and civic infrastructure, most human injuries and deaths are only indirectly related to the earthquake itself. Most injuries and deaths occur from fire, falling debris, or as a result of a building collapse. It should be noted that building construction and geological conditions greatly influence the damage caused by earthquakes. In countries like the United States, strict building construction codes are enforced in earthquake prone areas, and as a result, earthquakes in these areas have the greatest survival rates and significantly fewer injuries.
A significant earthquake can also result in damage to utilities (electricity, water, gas, telephone, sanitation, and Internet services) and other forms of civic infrastructure (roads and access to emergency services for example). Local businesses, like supermarkets and banks, would most likely be inaccessible or closed following a large earthquake. These services could be impacted for days or even weeks. Many might never reopen.
Earthquakes are most survivable when appropriate preparations are taken. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends that individuals be prepared to take care of themselves for a minimum of three days following a disaster. This is how long it can take for emergency services to arrive and provide assistance.
ABOUT THE CORONA VIRUS (COVID-19) PANDEMIC
WHO IS MOST AT RISK FROM CATCHING THE CORONA VIRUS?
Older adults and people who have severe underlying medical conditions such as heart and/or lung disease or those with diabetes seem to be at higher risk for developing serious complications from the COVID-19 Virus.
People of any age with certain underlying medical conditions are at increased risk for severe illness from the COVID-19 Virus. These conditions include:
- Cancer
- Kidney Disease
- COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
- Immunocompromised State (Weakened Immune System)
- Obesity
- Serious Heart Conditions like Heart Failure, Coronary Artery Disease, and Cardiomyopathies)
- Sickle Cell Disease
- Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes
- Asthma (Moderate to Severe)
- Cerebrovascular Disease
- Cystic Fibrosis
- Hypertension
- High Blood Pressure
- Dementia
- Liver Disease
- Pregnancy
- Pulmonary Fibrosis
- Smoking
- Thalassemia
Children who have neurologic, genetic, and/or metabolic conditions, or who have congenital heart disease might be at increased risk for severe illness from the COVID-19 Virus compared to other children.
HOW DOES THE CORONA VIRUS SPREAD?
The virus spreads primarily between people within 6 feet of each other. When a virus infected person coughs, sneezes and/or speaks the virus can land in the mouths or noses of people who are in proximity. From there the virus is inhaled into the lungs.
Because people with this virus may not be showing any symptoms, they can unknowingly spread it by coming into contact with others. A simple handshake or a hug can unwittingly spread the virus.
MINIMIZE YOUR RISK OF INFECTION
Note that there is currently no vaccine to prevent the Corona Virus (COVID-19), however you can significantly minimize your risk of exposure by following these simple common-sense steps:
- Social distance and avoid physical contact with others. Always remain at least 6 feet away from other people when in public. Wearing a mask is not a substitute for social distancing.
- Wash your hand frequently with soap and water, or hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Wash your hands before eating or preparing food, before touching your face, after using the restroom, after visiting a public place, after blowing your nose, after coughing, after sneezing, after coming in contact with someone (including children and babies), or after touching animals or pets.
- Avoid touching your mouth, nose, and eyes unless you have just washed your hands.
- Wear a mask when you are around other people. Cloth masks, and surgical masks will primarily protect other from catching the virus from you (even if you have no symptoms). An N95 mask helps protect other and you from contracting the virus. Masks should not be placed on children under the age of 2. Note that masks should not be worn by people who have breathing problems, are unconscious or incapacitated.
- Disinfect and clean surfaces that you come in contact with using a 2-step process. First clean with detergent or soap and water. Then clean again using an EPA approved household disinfectant. Clean surfaces such as countertops, desks, tables, chairs, doorknobs, light switches, toilet seats, door handles, sinks and faucets, cell phones, keyboards, and appliances.
GET A PANDEMIC KIT (PERSONAL PROTECTION EQUIPMENT KIT)
Getting an Emergency Preparedness Kit for your home, office (or school), and car(s) is an essential first step in being prepared for an earthquake. Emergency Preparedness Kits from Essential Packs, provide you and your family with the emergency supplies your family needs to last for 3 days (72 hours). Deluxe Kits from Essential Packs are compliant with FEMA's guidelines and include important items like: emergency food and drinking water, flashlights, radios, first-aid supplies, sanitation supplies, emergency blankets, waterproof ponchos, and much more.
For additional help on selecting the right kit, visit Step 1 - Get A Kit of our Emergency Preparedness Planning Guide.
MAKE A PLAN
In order to know what to do when an earthquake occurs, you need to create a Family Emergency Plan. Sit down with your family members and decide how you will get in contact with each other, where you will go, and what you will do in the event of a disaster or emergency.
To make this easy, Essential Packs provides you with a Family Emergency Planning Document that you can download for FREE. Simply open this PDF document and fill-in the blanks, then, print a copy for each family member, and store one copy in your Emergency Preparedness Kit.
You should update your Family Emergency Plan every six months, as phone number, work locations, and other important information could change.
For more help on creating a Family Emergency Plan, visit Step 2 - Make A Plan of our Emergency Preparedness Planning Guide.
BE INFORMED
The final step to getting prepared is to be informed about what to do before, during, and after an earthquake. FEMA's In-Depth Citizen's Guide to Disaster Preparedness helps you do this by providing you with comprehensive emergency preparedness information a variety of disasters.
Visit Step 3 - Be Informed of our Emergency Preparedness Planning Guide to download FEMA's comprehensive, 200 page book called, "Are You Ready? An In-Depth Guide to Citizen Preparedness".
