ReadyMoms in California-National PTA Convention

Great job, RM!

Once parents get (and understand) the message, the pressure on local planning officials will be much stronger.

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by: AlohaOR @ Sun Jun 22, 2008 at 19:13:23 PM UTC

Video report by tv station; if anybody can see it,

please let us know if ReadyMoms is there.

http://www.kusi.com/home/20627...

"The truth does not change according to our ability to stomach it."  Flannery O'Connor

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by: Jane @ Sun Jun 22, 2008 at 20:42:20 PM UTC

Sorry Jane....

they only interviewed the eco friendly product person, a ask about college kid and school crossing signs. Nothing that would scare the daylights out of people LOL

It would have been great if they interviewed the readymoms tho. Half of San Fran would probably see it!  Thats what we really need too, some major tv show to focus on readymoms.

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by: Katie Bird @ Mon Jun 23, 2008 at 01:49:20 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Thanks, Katie Bird! n/t

"The truth does not change according to our ability to stomach it."  Flannery O'Connor

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by: Jane @ Mon Jun 23, 2008 at 13:15:16 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

the best yet, so far!

I must say this has been the best, the most gratifying, of all the different events we have done.  This is partly because we spent a lot of time and put a lot of energy in preparing, in thinking through the various issues, of how to approach this new task.  Partly cos this is a totally new audience, the vast majority know next to nothing about pandemics.  

I guess maybe the best part is because these PTA folks are people who care.  It makes a difference, when as soon as you start asking them whether they know about pandemics, and they say no, and you start talking, you realize they are REALLY paying close attention to every word you say.  These are intelligent committed parents who care, who are in the habit of learning, who are not complacent, nor do they sit back and expect things to be given to them.  They are interested and interesting.  The best, IMO, cos they care.  It shows.

To go back a little to the preparation stages, we were very aware that this was going to be a significant event, that tis is totally new territory, and we needed to determine carefully what are the most relevant and important issues to bring to their attention.  We did A LOT of brainstorming behind the scenes, to get to the final theme centered around 2 core issues:

1) children at risk
2) community mitigation measures plus how to prepare for them.

The 'children at risk' issue has always been front and center, and I know I can speak for RM and Inky (and others who work with us) on that score.  We have literally been chomping at the bits to take the message to parents.  Framing the message around 'children at risk' was also partly a consequence of recent events, from the disconcertingly dismissive (almost derogatory) presentations on CMG in the IDSA meeting, to the ASTHO document that says 'not all children are at risk'.  I attended the NBSB meeting and gave my 2 cents on this and related issues, but I want to leave that to a separate discussion.  Just want to say here they are not unrelated.

Highlighting the CMG also has been our intention from way back, when we decided to exhibit at this event.  But again over time it became increasingly apparent that there is ZERO movement towards telling parents and involving them in the school closure decisions.  Since the CMG especially school closure is by far the most important intervention to save lives at the beginning of a pandemic (go here for why), especially kids' lives, it is totally inappropriate that parents are not at the table on such an important decision.  My POV is we give them the information, then whatever they decide, at least they have been empowered to become part of the process.  Since no one appears to be doing so.  We believe we would be filling a much needed gap.  As it turned out, we were totally spot on in our assessment.

Here are the posters for the event:

We also gave out these handouts, as a set, to every person.

1. RMA brochure
   
2. Appendix 6 of CMG, Pandemic Influenza Community Mitigation Interim Planning Guide for Elementary and Secondary Schools
   
3. Interim guidance on the use and purchase of facemasks and respirators by individuals and families for pandemic influenza preparedness
   
4. 2 weeks of food for family of 4
   
5. news article on school pandemic planning, which Inky has but I don't, right now.

We used the posters as the center point, as the lead to what we present people with.  And, very importantly, this time we spent a fair bit of time with each person, individually, talking to them and telling them about the information.  RM is the most outgoing one ;-) so she's out there in the aisle (and even beyond!).  Between her and Inky, they just about waylaid everyone that got within shouting distance of where we were!  I didn't do as much outreach, to start with cos I was unwell for the first day and the early part of the second day, but also because gradually we established a very useful pattern where I am right within earshot (often busily folding brochures in a desperate bid to keep up with demand LOL) so as to get in at the right moment when I'm needed, for stuff that are either of a scientific/medical nature or executive/management nature.  It worked well.

We had 500 copies of the various handouts.  Today after 1pm when other exhibitors were taking their stuff down, I was still frantically folding the last ones, to supply RM and Inky.  When we got all done, we had less than 10 copies left.  And, even after we took the exhibit down, we had a couple of people come looking for us, to say they were told to come find us, and whether we still have any of our materials!

Overall, in addition to the basic awareness of pandemics, the need to prep, the additional awareness of school closure issues is very significant, as these PTA delegates realize that important decisions are being made that affect them greatly, and that they have been left out of the process.

Related to this, but also on its own, we repeatedly asked people to share this information, and many many people told us they will share this.  We told them we do this for free, as public service, cos we believe it's important that the information get out there.  And they agree.



All 'safety concerns' are hypothetical.  If not, they'd be called side effects...

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by: SusanC @ Mon Jun 23, 2008 at 02:36:43 AM UTC

on the issue of awareness

We made a point of asking every person, informally, whether they have heard of or know about pandemic flu.  A very small number say yes AND actually do seem to know about it.  I would say not more than 10% (RM and Inky can give their assessments).  The rest is split half/half between those who outright say "No" and those who express varying degrees of uncertainty.  

The overwhelming reaction to the CFR, 1918, child mortality, etc is downright shock.  Astonishment and shock.  And, no, in case any tptb are reading, nobody started panicking in any way.  At all.

I think part of the shock is from the information, but there is a small but significant sense of shock of 'how come we don't know about this'.  Which is where the credibility issue comes in.  Cos people who come across information that is shocking and totally unexpected, would immediately want to check the veracity of your claims.  Like why should they believe you, just cos you say so, right?  So our carefully prepared material was very useful, in keeping our credibility and believability.

The other reaction, after shock and discussing what needs to be done, etc, is gratitude.  

Many leave saying they will follow this up, and do something about it.  Now I don't expect everyone to follow through, but at least from their actions, like when they want to make very sure they know which document is about what, and their willingness to give us their email so we can send them information, I am moderately optimistic that the number of people who will just drop the papers and totally forget about is may be smaller than for other audiences.

One hopes.



All 'safety concerns' are hypothetical.  If not, they'd be called side effects...

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by: SusanC @ Mon Jun 23, 2008 at 02:47:17 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

links to handouts

Here's the link to the news article on school pandemic planning, mentioned above:

"School, Government Leaders Gather for pandemic flu tabletop exercise"

http://www.lakelandtimes.com/m...

It is very interesting to read all the "stakeholders" (including members of the community) involved in this very important tabletop exercise ... but not to see parent representatives there.

Also, here's the link to Appendix 6 of the CMG:

"Appendix 6 - Pandemic Influenza Community Mitigation Interim Planning Guide for Elementary and Secondary Schools"

http://pandemicflu.gov/plan/co...

GetPandemicReady.org - non commerical website with practical ways for families to prepare.

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by: Average Concerned Mom @ Mon Jun 23, 2008 at 12:48:05 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

here are the posters ppt files

poster #1 Children At Risk

poster #2 CDC Community Mitigation Recommendations



All 'safety concerns' are hypothetical.  If not, they'd be called side effects...

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by: SusanC @ Tue Jun 24, 2008 at 13:45:50 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

thanks! ;-)

You arm yourself to the teeth just in case.  You don't leave the gun near the baby's hand.

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by: lugon @ Tue Jun 24, 2008 at 13:56:27 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Here's a photo of the booth

We made a new banner.

All 'safety concerns' are hypothetical.  If not, they'd be called side effects...

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by: SusanC @ Mon Jun 23, 2008 at 03:41:41 AM UTC

Great Job

I really hope some of the PTA's go home and start talking about this and get ready.  The more that are prepared the better.

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by: FluMom @ Mon Jun 23, 2008 at 04:59:28 AM UTC

CrossPosted-from PFI

I was asked to cross post a resonse to a question from Goju over at PFI, so here it is:

Goju:

RM - I've read the whole thread and your materials - excellent!  

I also read that you guys talked to around 500 folks... all of whom i expect will go back to talk with their local PTAs.

Did you get that sense that your message will spread past those you spoke with? or were most there just as individuals?

Your message is so good you guys need to take it much bigger.

My response:
Hi Goju! Thanks for the encouragement! I'm still in Calif., we are all leaving at various times, on Monday between 5 am and 12 noon. I'll be the last to leave, getting back to the East Coast by midnight, with the connections I have to make.  Right now, it's 12:10 am West Coast, 3:10am East Coast. I'm so confused on internal clock!  

You asked:

Did you get that sense that your message will spread past those you spoke with? or were most there just as individuals?

I/we are HOPING that the message will spread. Like anything else you can't guarantee this. That being said ... folks were interested. We spoke to PTO officers (pres, VP), PTO delegates, PTO boards, members of state PTOs, member of the National PTO and also had the opportunity to speak with just plain old parents on Saturday because the exhibit hall was open to them and there were special events during the convention that were open to the public/parents as a special event

Since I was the one on the 'front line' pretty much roping some folks over to get their copies - , LOL - I did ask them to carefully read the CMG school related appendix and then use that as a guide, to be better equiped to go back to their school officials/boards,etc. and ask them:
(1) if their school has a plan
(2) WHAT is the plan
(3) are they planning on closing
(4) WHEN are they planning on closing?
(5) How are they going to protect the children?
(6) If kids are on school lunches, do they have plans for those kids when they are not in school.

Listing the questions like that you could see that they realized that there was going to be a lot in that document they needed to review. They said that they would look at it and see. Of course, I can't police them, so I really don't know if they will or not. BUT ... the important thing here is that these folks did NOT know there was even a document of this importance out there. And quite honestly ... if we didnt' follow panflu this closely ... would WE?? Most likely the answer is 'no'. We have to hope that these intelligent, child-centered folks will take the time to carefully read this material and ask the important questions of their school officials. AND share the information with the families withing their school. I did look at their name badges and if I noticed that there was a 'president, 'past pres' designation on their badges for PTO's I spent extra care in how I spoke with them. Same with members of the 'National PTA' designation on the badge.

Folks were surprised to hear that pandemic:
A. Was a threat ('cuase they hadn't heard of it before)
B. Was STILL a threat (cause they thought the threat was over)

and ...

C. had created the potential to CLOSE their schools for UP TO 12 WEEKS.

'C' had resulted in audible gasps, open mouthed responses and eyes that widened along with the ocassional 'you're kidding me' type of response.

When folks who wanted more information went into our booth and had the '2nd' part of the presentation from InKy (we became a VERY good 'tag-team'  ) the response she got, she explained to me this evening ,as actually physical, when they got to the area of the poster explaining child mortility. Folks actually repositioned their body to the poster to hear more. (I'll let InKy explain this in greater detail).

So, the resonse was there. The feeling was positive that folks may go back home and look at this more. We really can't do any more right now. We do have email addy's from a LOT of folks who want to know when the RMA website is up and running and we may be sending out a document in the interim to keep interest till then.
I also told folks that the documents we were handing them were most likely the single most important set of papers that they would be receiving from the convention this weekend.

We have rec'd about 4 invites to state PTA conferences coming up withing the next year. We have also made some very significant contacts that may help promote the RMA message.

Your message is so good you guys need to take it much bigger.

Thank you. We can do as much as we can while we still have funds to do so. To be honest, it's dwinding quickly. This is (I think) our 6th event since November and we have to be selective to get the most mileage from our resources. We have our EIN #, and are a grassroots non-profit corporation, in order to help us in this area, but this is a BIG concern to us right now and we are wondering how to keep the message out there as the 'pot runs dry'. Faith, Goj ... gotta have faith! (that's my perspective, anyway).

I hope I answered your questions. I think now I'm finally tired enough to go to sleep. Eyes keep closing on me, so I must be. Geeeze .. it's 3:55 'home time' by my watch! Wonder how ling it's going to take me to get back to 'normal'  . -k

www.EmergencyHomePreparation.org -- A 'card-catalog' style of prepping information.   -

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by: Readymom @ Mon Jun 23, 2008 at 15:03:24 PM UTC

Thanks RMs

Thank you on behalf of all children. Your efforts are so critical and life-saving.  

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by: IdahoEM @ Mon Jun 23, 2008 at 17:27:22 PM UTC

you're welcome

thank you and everyone for your kind words and support.  

In other news, I'm sitting at the airport, finally going home!  It's been an exhausting 6 weeks, from the IDSA meeting, to the Roche/business events, the sudden addition of the American College Health Association Expo, and the unexpected issues opened up with the ASTHO document, the NBSB meeting, and now finally the PTA convention.

It will take a little while for me to fully integrate the lessons and progress from these weeks.  But there is no doubt in my mind that the PTA was/is the high point, partly because we've waited so long for it, and partly because of the recent challenges that came to our attention, that make the need to inform and empower parents even more critical than ever.

Lots to do.  But first, a little time for reflection is in order.  ;-)



All 'safety concerns' are hypothetical.  If not, they'd be called side effects...

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by: SusanC @ Mon Jun 23, 2008 at 23:14:27 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

additional discussions on school closure

can be found here Schools Closures and Pandemic Planning including comments on the LA County FAQ for school administrators.  

Related but on a bigger picture level, the controversies around the guidance given by ASTHO to state and local health departments are discussed here Not All Children are At Risk?, and here Speaking at the National Biodefense Science Board



All 'safety concerns' are hypothetical.  If not, they'd be called side effects...

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by: SusanC @ Sat Jun 28, 2008 at 17:55:20 PM UTC