The CDC — USA’s Center for Disease Control — has issued an alert intending to help Americans prepare for a potential (though highly unrealistic, they note) zombie apocalypse. While it’s pretty obvious that the original post was a tongue-in-cheek blog entry to amuse those who read the CDC’s blog, it’s clear that the article has turned into a giant magnet for attention to the CDC’s website and more important warnings. A viral post spreading like a zombie virus? You betcha!
The blog’s humor-ridden posts explains the history of zombies and zombie outbreaks, comparing the old-school voodoo-inspired zombies to the “new-school” viral infection zombies often depicted in TV shows and movies. But then they get to the juicy stuff, such as what families should keep stored away in case of a zombie apocalypse (or natural disaster), which includes:
- Water (1 gallon per person per day)
- Food (stock up on non-perishable items that you eat regularly)
- Medications (this includes prescription and non-prescription meds)
- Tools and Supplies (utility knife, duct tape, battery powered radio, etc.)
- Sanitation and Hygiene (household bleach, soap, towels, etc.)
- Clothing and Bedding (a change of clothes for each family member and blankets)
- Important documents (copies of your driver’s license, passport, and birth certificate to name a few)
- First Aid supplies (although you’re a goner if a zombie bites you, you can use these supplies to treat basic cuts and lacerations that you might get during a tornado or hurricane)
The article goes on to suggest specific plans for your family to implement should a zombie apocalypse ever break out, including meeting places, planning your escape, and more! You can check out the full article on the CDC’s website — which, while may be based on an unrealistic disaster premise, is a great tool for also preparing you for the more realistic disasters we may face in the future.
