STAY WELL IN COLD-WEATHER EMERGENCY SITUATIONS

BY TOM MALONE

Though nobody knows for sure where it originated — theories are as varied as are the scientists and historians suggesting them (Chinese laborers, French birds, pigs from Kansas) — but early reports of the illness in late 1917 from the front lines in France and Germany were suppressed by the World War I Axis and Allies. Only neutral Spain allowed news coverage of this new disease, hence the nickname, the Spanish flu. It has been cited as the most devastating pandemic in recorded history. According to some estimates, more people died of influenza in a single year than in four years of the bubonic plague.

It was a global disaster, and those in power at the time decided that a p andemic of this proportion could not happen again. That said, diseases attributed to unhealthy living conditions, unsafe water, contaminated foods and ignorance of germs still claim millions of lives every year. This situation is made even worse during a disaster or emergency.

1.0 WHY WORRY ABOUT HEALTH?

Sure, your house is in rubble and the world as you know it has collapsed into anarchy, so why should you worry if you brushed your teeth that morning or if y ou showered this week?

Disease and illness can run rampant when the public health-related infrastructure of a community is paralyzed or destroyed. The first widespread calamity to rear its ugly head in the aftermath of a major dis aster is disease, usually from contaminated water or compromised sewer systems.

Overlooked countless times by surviv and preppers, a bar of soap, a bottle of shampoo, some antibacterial lotion and toothpaste are simple and cheap products that can mean the difference between life and death. Anytime you are away from civilization for any length of time — whether intentional or not — c onsider taking with you products that will help keep yourself clean.

Hypothermia occurs when the body’s core temperature falls below 95 degrees (F). That means it doesn’t have to be exceptionally cold out to suffer its effects. Be sure to dress appropriately and replace wet clothing whenever you venture out in winter weather.

1.1 Cleaner is Healthier

Not only does keeping clean maintain a healthy disposition toward your situation, but it increases a person’s confidence and gives them a comforting sense of normalcy in an abnormal s cenario. A buildup of bacteria can harm a person’s health quickly, as those bacteria are often toxic to us and are looking for a place in which to invade your body. The bacteria on a person's skin make their body stale and their body begins to give out a bad odor. That’s a sign that potential illness is just around the corner.