Natural disasters that have occurred in Utah are flash floods, avalanches, landslides, tornadoes, droughts, snowstorms, fires, earthquakes, and lighting and thunderstorms. Man-made disasters which have transpired are airplane crashes, train/bus collisions, train wrecks, collapsing of mines, and flooding caused by dams breaking. There are several preparedness organizations in Utah. One of them is the Utah Public Health Jurisdictional Risk Assessment. They study all hazards that could happen in Utah, organizing which is most likely to happen to Utah residents. Other tasks include finding missing information and deciding hazard planning and training. State of Utah Emergency Operations Plan is responsible to prepare, respond, and recover in any emergency and disaster in the state. They outline the States response to emergencies, disasters, or any acts of terrorism. They also give to nonprofit organizations who are engaged in disaster relief. They help to guide efforts with the donation of cloths, food, and medical supplies.
Infectious Disease Emergency Response Plan helps to educate how to control an outbreak of diseases. They are to help protect the society from infections and death. Another organization is the Continuity of Operation Plan. Their focus is to aid in helping educational systems, businesses, and food industries remain operational during challenging circumstances. They also help to initiate planning which ensures the survival and recovery pre, during, and post emergency disasters. The Weber Morgan Health Department makes plans on how to guide efforts of preparedness and awareness of local disasters. They also work with local agencies, hospitals, and other health organizations.
I interviewed Susan Peterson, a surgical technologist that works at the VA hospital. She said that the duties assigned to her are: triaging patients that may come in during a disaster; delivering supplies to those that need them; and assisting during a surgery. She said that the surgeon is mostly involved in the care of the patient. Susan said that she also waits for an assignment from the charge nurse or operating room manger during a disaster. These and other emergency preparedness organizations help in times of disaster. One of these disasters started as an epidemic and morphed into a pandemic sending the world into chaos. The mystery on how, when, and where it began remains widely disputed. December 30, 2019, Li Wenliang, a Chinese doctor, warned colleagues about his discovery concerning the coronavirus. He cautioned them to wear personal protective equipment to lessen the chance of contracting the virus. Wenliang noticed seven cases of the new virus that looked similar to the Sars virus. A couple of days later the Chinese Government told him to sign a letter. In the letter it stated that he was making false comments and disturbing the social order. There were eight others who were being investigated along with Doctor Wenliang. He later contracted the virus and passed away February 7, 2020, making many of the Chinese people angered and frustrated at their government. Li Wenliang was acknowledged as a hero.
January 20, 2020, first cases were confirmed outside of China. On January 23, 2020, the Chinese government completely closed off Wuhan. By January 30th, The World Health Organization declared a “public health emergency of international concern.” The next day President Trump restricted all travel to China and suspended entry into the U.S. concerning anyone who had traveled to China within the past fourteen days, expect American citizens. By this time over 213 people had died and 9,800 had contracted the virus worldwide. What came as a greater shock to many was the two-week quarantining of the Diamond Princess cruise ship on February 9, 2020, which became the first of several.
February 23, 2020, Italy saw a greater increase in the number of cases as this invisible threat took hold of their country. Officials in a desperate attempt to stop the spreading began locking down many towns and closing schools as well as cultral events. By February 24, 2020, preparations were being made here in the United states for COVID-19, another name for the Coronavirus. The Trump administration worked with Congress for 1.25 billion dollars to aid in their response to the Coronavirus outbreak. What originally started in a city of 11 million people has now spread across the world.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention, on March 15, 2020, recommended no gatherings larger than 50 people or more for the next eight weeks. The very next day President Trump informed U.S. citizens to avoid groups of more than 10. In the middle of March many countries around the world started issuing school closures and stay at home orders in an effort to control the spread of COVID-19. On March 24, 2020, it was announced that the Tokyo Olympics would be delayed for a year. In our history only three other Olympic games have been canceled, all three due to the outbreak of wars: World War 1, the Summer and Winter games during the time of World War 11.
It is an invisible war that is being fought across the globe. Many healthcare workers are on the frontlines trying to save the lives of their fellow countrymen at their own risk. With many supplies running short, doctors in some countries are forced to pick and choose between those who will live and those who will die based on who has the highest chance of survival. April 10, 2020, over 101,000 deaths occurred worldwide because of the Coronavirus. Many companies have started to undergo vaccine trials to put an end to the pandemic. As of April 13, 2020, several European countries have started to lift their restrictions letting hardware stores and some shops reopen. They are also letting construction workers and factory workers start working again.
Now many are questioning when we will resume our normal daily lives. CDC director, Dr. Robert Redfiled said “I think we’ve really stabilized across the country. We’re still seeing a small rate of increase in the range of 5 to 6 percent, as opposed to where we were before when it was 20 percent, 30 percent per day; but we are close. It’s going to be critical over the next four to eight to 12 weeks that we continue thoughtful mitigation steps as we begin to bring our country back to work.” The CDC says everyone can play a part in stopping the spread of the virus. They recommend that people should stay about 6 feet apart from others, if you are sick stay home, and always practice proper hand hygiene. As of now, the CDC is dedicated in controlling the spread of the virus and is working with many state, local, and public health partners to better aid the response effort to COVID-19.
It’s important for states to be prepared for emergencies man-made or natural. It’s also vital for them to have a plan and to be able to carry it out effectively. As for citizens listening and carrying out the plans are not only a protection to themselves but also to those that are around them.
