Communicating with communities about emergency preparedness: Resources, strategies , and experiences

1. Communicating with communities about emergency preparedness: Resources, strategies, and experiences New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Office of Community Relations Sarah Roberts May 29, 2003

2. DOHMH is one of many • Other government agencies make presentations on emergency preparedness • NYPD • FDNY • Red Cross • Dept. of Education • FEMA • Homeland Security

3. DOHMH presentations include • What DOHMH is doing now to prepare • Type of emergencies DOHMH is preparing for • DOHMH’s role during a public health emergency • What people can do now to prepare for an emergency • Where people can get more information now and in the future • What might DOHMH tell people to do in case of an emergency

4. Enhancing Communication Capacity • Providers • Public • Other agencies • DOHMH employees

5. DOHMH staff training • Risk Communication • Media training • Speaker’s bureau

6. Public • Informing community leaders • Preparedness activities • Sending them regular updates about DOHMH activities and information sources • Website • Email/fax lists of CBOs • Educational materials • Fact sheets • Video • Brochures • Media • Presentations (upon request)

7. What can people do now to prepare? • Keep informed • NYC Aware at nyc.gov/health • Prepare for emergencies • Same as for other emergencies • Have an emergency plan for your family • Where you will meet if something happens • Out of state contact to phone • Enough food/water for 3 – 4 days • Radio with batteries • See OEM and Red Cross household preparedness guides

8. What can people do to protect their health in case of an emergency? • In the event of any terrorist attack: • Turn on TV or radio • follow emergency instructions • Depending on the threat and risk posed, officials may tell you to: • Stay where you are, or • Evacuate the area immediately, or • Seek shelter at a designated location

9. Frequently asked questions • What should I do if there is an attack? • Where can people go to get more information? • How are we preparing for the needs of “special populations”? • What are you doing in my neighborhood? Is my hospital prepared? • Will I be able to speak with a live person if there is an emergency?

10. More challenging FAQs • The detailed question about a specific agent • The worst case/specific case scenario question • “Have you been vaccinated against smallpox?” • “Do you have enough funding?” / “Is the $ you are spending on preparedness taking away from other core public health activities?”

11. Example of SARS • SARS in NYC • As of May 27, 2003 • In NYC, there have been • 3 probable cases of SARS • 19 suspect cases of SARS • All recently traveled to affected area • no local spread

12. Messages as of 5/28/03 • There has been NO community transmission of SARS in NYC • No need to avoid any area of the city • No need for anyone who has recently traveled to an affected area who DOES NOT HAVE SYMPTOMS to stay home or away from work • Best thing for people to do is stay informed • DOHMH has been • Working with health care providers • Investigating possible cases and preparing for the possibility that local spread may occur

13. How Can People Protect Themselves From SARS? • Avoid nonessential travel to affected areas * • WASH HANDS FREQUENTLY! • Good General Health Practice • No special precautions for the general public • If you feel sick, get medical care and stay home • Suspect and probable cases of SARS should • Stay away from school, work, day care, other public areas until 10 days after fever and respiratory symptoms resolve/subside • Avoid visitors * Check the CDC & WHO websites (www.cdc.gov & www.who.int) for updated travel advisories

14. Public information on status of SARS in NYC • DOHMH communicates with the public • Community presentations • Outreach in and meetings with Chinese/Chinese American communities in NYC • Distributing fact sheets • Via email/fax lists • At presentations/community meetings • Information on website, nyc.gov/health • Press releases and press conferences

15. DOHMH website • SARS Facts • Fact sheets in multiple languages (English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, Spanish) • Press Releases (multiple languages) • Health Care Provider Information • Guidelines and Recommendations for Health Care Workers • Number/Status of Probable and Suspected Cases in NYC • Links to the CDC and WHO websites • http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/cd/sars.html

16. FAQ’s about SARS • Quarantine – why isn’t govt. quarantining everyone coming in from an affected area? • Should workplaces, schools, etc. exclude people or quarantine people who come in from an affected area? • Will any hospital be a SARS treatment center if SARS spread in NYC? • MASKS! • Will the health department give them to people if an outbreak? • Which kinds are useful?

17. FAQs about SARS (cont) • Is it safe to eat in Chinatown? • Is saying that there is, at this point, no reason to avoid any area of the city based on science or political correctness? • Is saying that you can’t tell if someone has SARS by their race or nationality political correctness or based in science? • What are you doing to address discrimination against and stigmatization of Asian people in NYC? • My friend was in Flushing and now has a cough, but her doctor won’t do anything about it…Can the health department screen her?

18. Mental Health • Always acknowledge the stress of hearing about/thinking about these things • Don’t “over-provide” information – for people who are interested, give them resources so they can learn more • Let people know that DOHMH has people worrying about all of this full time • Resources for people in crisis or who need counseling provided

19. Final thoughts • Provide • Regular updates • Accurate information