In the 16th century, the French astrologer Nostradamus predicted that there would be a zombie apocalypse in the year 2021. And now it’s actually In 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention want to make sure you are prepared … in case.
The CDC recently updated the Zombie Preparedness section on its website – yes, that’s something. Although the section is not new – it was originally launched in 2011, it provides interesting timing as it has been updated amid a global pandemic that happens just like that in the year of a predicted zombie apocalypse.
The CDC makes it clear online that this is a joke, even though it is a serious message about the importance of disaster preparedness. “Do you wonder why zombies, zombie apocalypse and zombie preparedness on a CDC website stay alive or dead?” read the landing page. “As it turns out, the first time we started a tongue-in-cheek campaign to engage new audiences with preparedness messages, a very effective platform. We continue to reach and engage a wide range of audiences about all the dangers that are prepared via ‘zombie preparedness.’ “
The CDC presents lesson plans for teachers on preparing for zombie apocalypse, a downloadable poster with the caption “Get a Kit. Make a Plan. Be Prepared,” next to the face of a zombie, and general disaster preparedness information.
In a related but non-zombie section on preparedness, the CDC talks about the importance of having certain tools at home, such as food, water and medical supplies to keep at least 72 hours, backup power supplies, medical records and ‘ an emergency supply of prescription medicine.
But the CDC also links zombie advice to a blog post detailing exactly what to store at home, in the event of a zombie apocalypse – this can also help in the event of other disasters. In addition to one gallon of water per person per day, the CDC recommends having first aid kits available, noting: “even though you’re crazy when a zombie bites you, you can use these necessities to treat basic cuts and lacerations. can occur during a tornado or hurricane. ‘
The CDC did not respond to Yahoo Life’s request for comment.
Experts and doctors for disaster preparedness seem to be pretty smart about the campaign.
“I find it wonderful,” John Sellick, a professor at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University of Buffalo, told Yahoo Life. “As we have seen with coronavirus, disaster preparedness is crucial.”
FEMA-certified instructor for preparation for natural disasters, Cheryl Nelson, founder of Prepare with Cher, agrees. “I think it’s brilliant,” she tells Yahoo Life. “It’s definitely a distraction and it makes preparation fun. The more creative ways we can convey the preparedness message, the better.”
The CDC is simply trying to “make disaster preparedness related to different populations,” Mitchel A. Rosen, associate professor in the Department of Urban and Global Public Health at Rutgers School of Public Health, told Yahoo Life. And, he says, setting the topic around a zombie apocalypse “makes it fun to learn about disaster preparedness.”
Lee Clarke, a professor of sociology at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, tells Yahoo Life that while the preparation of zombies may seem “trite, trivial and amusing” at first glance, he points out that “all the messages are there. ” “They replace ‘zombie’ with ‘flood’ or ‘hurricane,'” he says. “Zombies are just more interesting, and it draws people in.”
While the packaging is quirky, Sellick points out that the underlying message – to be prepared for the unexpected – is important at the moment and incredibly relevant. “Bottled water, flour, disinfectant, toilet paper … a year ago it did not matter how much money you had. You could not get hold of certain things,” he says. “If you had stock at home, it could help carry some of us. Clearly, most of us did not have enough stock.”
Many people have joked about a zombie apocalypse happening, but ‘2020 did not make such a thing seem so impossible anymore’, says Nelson, adding: ‘It creates the mindset:’ Well, if a global pandemic happens , what’s next – zombies ?! Maybe I should prepare. ”
Even if the zombie apocalypse is probably not actually happens, Nelson families say their own disaster preparation plan. “Did you ever think that a global pandemic would happen in our lifetime? Do not you wish you had a disaster preparedness package with objects such as hand sanitizer, wipes, masks and the ever-essential toilet paper when the pandemic occurred?” she says. “Take some time to prepare. If you do not want to prepare for yourself, prepare for your loved ones. Do it for them. They will be grateful that you did.”
Read more about Yahoo Life
Want to bring lifestyle and wellness news to your inbox? Sign in here for Yahoo Life’s newsletter.