Ebola & Other Pandemic Preparation: A Quick Guide to Basic Emergency Preparation & Spiritual Preparedness

Copyright © 2014 by Quick Prep Guides 
All rights reserved. No parts of this book may be reproduced, scanned or distributed in any printed or electronic form without written permission from the author.

Table of Contents
Introduction
About Ebola
Spiritual Preparedness
Physical Preps: Water, Food, First Aid, Supplies, & More
Water
Food
First Aid
Emergency Tools & Supplies & Other Stuff
Protecting Your Home
Being Alert and Watchful

Introduction
This book is a short guide to help people get prepared for Ebola and any other pandemic, naturally and spiritually. How should people prepare and what steps should they be taking now? Pandemics, crisis, and natural disasters are on the increase. This guide details items that families would want to have in a pandemic or any other crisis.

This book is written from a Christian perspective. God will always help his children and all those that place their faith in him. In that, does God want people to be wise and to discern the times that they live in, while putting their complete trust in him? I believe so.  One of my favorite chapters in the Bible is the complete chapter of Psalm 91 because it covers so much to believe God and trust him for.

About Ebola
Ebola is an infectious disease that is often fatal. The Ebola virus is a virus that is characteristic of high fever and severe internal bleeding. It is a deadly virus that kills most of its victims, currently between 60-90%. It is believed to have originated in bats in the Western part of Africa. There has already been over 1000 people killed, officially, by the current Ebola strain, but many believe that the numbers are much higher and are going unreported because of fears that Africans have.

Ebola is now currently spread in at least 5 West African countries with government quarantines instituted in some counties to keep the disease from spreading even further.  In areas of West Africa most people believe the disease is now out of control, so much so that American organizations have pulled out of those countries. There are now documented Ebola cases in other countries as well, including Mexico which is a problem for the US because of the illegal immigration problem at the border.

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What are the symptoms of Ebola?

Early symptoms of Ebola are a sudden fever, weakness, muscle pain, headaches, and a sore throat. The incubation period is two to 21 days. The early symptoms will quickly escalate to vomiting, diarrhea, impaired kidney and liver function and sometimes internal and external bleeding.

Some patients also have a rash, red eyes, hiccups, chest pains and difficulty breathing and swallowing.

Ebola currently can only officially be diagnosed by laboratory tests.

How is Ebola treated?

There is no cure yet for Ebola, however two American doctors have been given an experimental drug called ZMapp that have made them better.  A priest given ZMapp, however has died. African countries are now demanding ZMAPP be given to their doctors with Ebola. Patients with Ebola are isolated, and closely monitored. They are given food and fluids, oxygen, and treated for any other complications or infections.

How does Ebola virus spread?

Humans with Ebola can pass the virus to others through their bodily fluids, alive or dead. Some believe it is transmitted in other ways that may be unknown because of the high rate of health care workers contracting the virus even when they had on full protective gear.

Spiritual Preparedness
Christians should always seek God and pray in all things, even about preparations for emergencies? Prayerfully, consider what God would have you to do to prepare your family for pandemics and emergencies if any? Should you have supplies?  If so, what should you have and how much? I personally believe it’s okay and wise to have some preps in your home.

(1) First the basics, do you know the Lord? God is only obligated to help and save his own children. Only those that call on him in spirit and in truth, and place their complete faith in him will he respond to. Have you accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior? If not, please do so now. Your whole eternity counts on it. Those who are lost face an eternity in hell. They miss out on all the blessings of heaven. They miss out on the complete love of God and all the things that come with it like love, peace, security, joy, and much more. If you want to experience all these things and not be lost please pray the prayer below. 

Just pray this prayer: 
Lord Jesus, forgive me of all my sins. I believe that you died on the cross for my sins, and that God the father raised you from the dead. Please come into my heart and be my Lord and Savior.  In Jesus name, Amen.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.1 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.  For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.3 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:9-13).

(2) The second issue is how much will God allow the church (Christians) to endure before he snatches (raptures) the church out of this world? In other words, will the church have to endure hard trials like pandemics? Christians do not know how much the Lord will allow them to endure but they do know they can place their complete trust in him. God did promise Christians he would never put on them more than they could bear. It is up to Christians to pray and believe God concerning their lives and read Scriptures that God gives them to stand in faith and believe him for. One of my favorite Scriptures in regards to plagues is Psalm 91: 9-12. “Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone” (Psalm 91:9-12).

Does this verse mean that God would want Christians to ignore everything going on around them? I don’t think so. Christians should not practice self-preservation, as if they have no God looking out for them, but they should have a balanced approach and taking care of themselves and their families. If they took care of themselves when there is not a pandemic they should continue taking care of themselves if there ever is a pandemic.

(3) Spiritually speaking, it is crucial for Christians to find Scriptures in the Bible that they can stand in faith and believe God for.
One of My Favorite Bible Chapters is Psalm 91.

Psalm 91 King James Version (KJV)

 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.

4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.

9 Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;

10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.

14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.

16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation

Water, Food, First Aid, Supplies & More Disaster Preparedness Supply List

In preparing for any pandemic it is recommended that people have at least a 3 month supply of food, water, first aid, and other supplies. Although no major pestilence or pandemic has ever been experienced in this US recently in which people needed to go on a complete lockdown, pandemics can happen. When they do happen, they can last three months and longer.  Having supplies on hand makes a family comfortable and meets their needs.  If there was a breakdown in infrastructure people really don’t want to be out fighting crowds. Having supplies also cuts down on the number of people your family is exposed to and possibly contracting the virus from. If there are ever quarantines, there is not dependence on the government to bring food and water.

The basics that should be stocked are: water, food, first aid kit and medical supplies, basic supplies, security items, clothing, and bedding. Other items to consider would also be a bug out bag and outdoor gear. It is mostly recommended to bug in at home, especially during a pandemic because most people’s stuff is at home. And really, where will people go unless they have a retreat somewhere hidden in the mountains?

Water

Water is needed by every person on the planet. It is a basic necessity of life. Without water people die. Water is even more crucial than food, because people can go a lot longer without food. In an emergency, water is often the first thing to be emptied off of store shelves. It is important to always have emergency water on hand, and to get water before a panic begins. Get all your supplies before the need arises.

Every person at a minimum needs about two quarts of water a day. It is recommended that homes have a least a gallon of water per person/per day in an emergency. In hot weather and with people exerting more physical activity, more water is needed. Children, sick people, and nursing moms also have a higher need for water.

Water Considerations

There are several considerations in storing water. Purchased commercially bottled water that is bought at the grocery store is considered to be the safest water option. Other options are bottling and storing your own water. In any case, one gallon of water per person a day at a minimum is ideal. That would be about 2 quarts of water for drinking and food prep, and about 2 quarts for cleaning and sanitation. Keep at least a 3 day supply per person in any case. For a family of four a 3-day supply of water would be about 12 gallons of water. Water can be easily purchased at any grocery store when there is not a crisis. So purchase early. Commercially packaged water can be stored for up to 5 years.

Water storage:
If you choose not to purchase bottled water you can store your own water.  Water can be stored in plastic juice bottles or soft drink containers. Other water storage containers must be food grade containers. First, clean containers with dish washing soap and water. Sanitize bottles next, by rinsing with water first, and then rinsing with a solution of bleach and water.  Rinsing solution should be one teaspoon of bleach to a quart of water. Let completely dry before adding tap water. The safest tap water is one that has been treated by a commercial water treatment company, such as is the case in most homes.

If water is untreated such as well water or water from any other source, the water must be treated. Add water to a container and then add 8 drops of plain household bleach (unscented)/per gallon of water. Let stand for 30 minutes before closing the lid. If water is cloudy add 16 drops of bleach/per gallon. Water purification tablets can also be used to treat water.

How to prepare water in an emergency for safety and health:
Boiling water kills bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Household bleach kills bacteria and viruses. Boiling is believed to be a better choice in sanitizing water.
First strain water through a coffee filter or cheese cloth. Never use smelly or dark colored water. Boil water and bring water to a rolling boil and continue to boil for a few more minutes. Boiling kills most stuff in water except chemical contaminants. Chemical contaminants can’t be boiled or bleached out of water. Never use water that has been stored in containers in which chemicals have previously been in. Stored water should be kept in a refrigerator if possible or in a cool dark place.

Parasites that can be found in untreated water are Guinea worm, schistosomiasis, amebiasis, cryptosporidiosis (Crypto), and giardiasis. Parasites can be spread from contaminated water and cause serious illness when not treated properly.

Other Water Sources in an emergency:
• Water heaters - The average water heater has between 30 – 60 gallons of water. Turn off electricity or gas, and open drain at bottom of water heater tank to access water.
• Toilet Reserve tank – Never use water from the toilet bowl.
• Swimming Pool
• Water Bed
• Canned Foods – Canned foods don’t require water because they have a lot of water already in them. This is another source of obtaining water.
• Rain Water - Some areas of the country do not receive a lot of water but only receive it seasonal, so this would not be an option. For those areas, that receive a lot of precipitation, collect rain water is an option. Water must be boiled for at least 10 minutes.
• Rivers, streams, ponds, lakes – Fresh water sources can be used, but water must be boiled.

Food
Food is the second most crucial item to have on hand in an emergency. Keep a 3 month supply in a pandemic situation, but in an emergency situation you would want to have at least a 3 day supply minimum. The kind of food to store should be the kind of food that you and your family will eat. You’ll also want to store foods that are easy to prepare and have a long shelf life. No one will be happy when food runs out so it is always wise to make sure you have enough of it. People love to eat and having food makes any crisis better.

Foods that require no cooking and water are best for emergencies.  If there is no power, cooking with Sterno can be used or other canned heat that is designed for cooking indoors. Always ventilate when cooking indoors.

All foods have a shelf life, so it’s important to rotate stored foods. Even unspoiled food begins to lose its nutritional value over time. Label foods with a Sharpie with dates. Organize by best by dates. Have emergency foods on hand as well as regular food.

Emergency foods that require little preparation or no cooking:
Canned Meat
Graham Crackers/Peanut Butter
Crackers/Cheese
Pudding Cups
Dried Fruit
Dry Cereal/Canned Milk
Peanut Butter, Nutella, and Jelly
Fruit, Granola, and/or Protein Bars
Nuts, Seeds, and Trail Mix
Protein Drinks
Canned Juice
Pasteurized Milk
Crackers
Vitamins
Baby Food
Candy/ Cookies
Soup and Chili
Beans with Ham
Canned Fruits
Canned Vegetables

Other Related Items Needed for Preparing Foods:
Can Opener
Paper Plates
Paper Cups
Plastic Knives/Forks/Spoons
Garbage Bags
Hand Sanitizer
Bleach
Bug Spray
Dish Detergent
Cooking stove
Fuel

After obtaining short term emergency supplies, begin building longer term food supplies. Do an inventory of what you have. Most people already have a number of these items. An easy way to develop enough supplies over time is to buy one extra item each week when grocery shopping.

Long term storage food list for a family of four:
40 pounds of white rice.
20 pounds of oatmeal
15 pounds of sugar
20 pounds of flour
5 pounds of corn meal
20 pounds of past
25 pounds of beans
5 pounds of salt
Oil
Baking soda and baking powder
Yeast
Powdered or canned milk
Spaghetti or pasta sauce
Seasonings

First Aid Kit

Putting together a first aid kit according to your family’s needs can be fun and comforting. It is comforting to know you have needed medical supplies catered to your own needs all in one place. First aid kits should be kept at home and in vehicles. Remember to rotate and frequently check expiration dates on medications supplies.

Items to include in a first aid kit are:
Emergency Phone Numbers- Insure all family members including children know their home phone numbers and other important phone numbers in an emergency.
Emergency Medications (inhalers, allergy meds, antacids, etc.)
Hydrogen Peroxide/ Alcohol (for cleaning minor cuts and wounds)
Antibiotic Cream (to keep minor cuts and wounds from becoming infected)
Hydrocortisone Cream (multiple uses)
Bandages
Cold Compress or Ice Packs (to reduce swelling, keep perishables cool, cooling off)
Activated Heat pads (muscle aches, pain, keeping warm)
Aspirin (pain reliever, heart medication)
Tylenol (pain reliever, lowers fever)
Ibuprofen (pain reliever, anti-inflammatory, reduce swelling, lowers fever)
Safety pins
Soap
Hand Sanitizer
Gauze pads
Latex Gloves
Anti-diarrhea Medication
Antacid
Ipecac
Activated Charcoal
Laxative
Scissors
Tweezers
Tape
Needle
Thermometer
Vaseline
Anti-Itch Cream
Poison Ivy Cream
Feminine Products
Water
Face masks
blanket

Emergency Tools and Supplies
An emergency tool and supply list can easily start with common household items that are found in the home. The key to prepping for an emergency is to have all the items in one place, organized, and labeled so you don’t have to look for the items when they are needed. You also don’t have to purchase items that you already have because of not knowing what you have.

Here is a list of basic items needed:
Communications
Battery Operated Radio & Batteries or Solar Powered Radio – In an power outage, it is critical to know what’s going on.  If a true pandemic hits there are bound to be service interruptions in various infrastructure. Radios offer coverage of local information. Solar power enables you to always have a power source as long as you have access to sunlight during the day.
Cell Phone
Cell Phone Chargers
Flashlight and Batteries

Other Items:
Preparedness Manual – It is crucial having some information to refer back to. Have a first aid guide, medical guide, local maps, and more.
Cash - It is important to carry some cash at all times to buy goods. In an emergency ATM or credit cards may not work.
Map of the area (for locating nearby shelters)
Plastic bucket with tight lid

Warmth:
Firewood
Hand warmers
Matches

Cooking Supplies:
Can Opener
Utensils/Silverware- Knives, Forks, spoons, etc.
Plates/ Cups
Cooking Stove
Cooking Fuel- Gas, Sterno, Charcoal, Firewood
Pots/Pans
Matches/ Lighter
Lighter Fluid
Garbage Bags

Sanitation:
Dish Detergent
Bug spray
Household Bleach
Toilet Paper
Ammonia
Disinfectants
Shovels
Soaps
Hand Sanitizer
Alcohol
Hydrogen Peroxide
Antibiotics
Bandages
Paper Towels
Baby Wipes

Emergency:
Shut off wrench for gas and water
Whistle
Gun & Ammo
Pepper & Bear Spray
Plywood, Nails,
Plastic Sheeting
Tape - Tape is needed to secure plastic sheeting over windows, or to cordon off areas.
Axe
Good Utility Knife
Fire Extinguisher
Shovel
Hammer, Wrench
Saw

Personal Hygiene:
Toothpaste/Toothbrush/Floss
Toilet Paper
Feminine Hygiene
Sunscreen
Shaver/Razor Blades
Nail Kit
Tweezers/ Nail Clippers
Antifungals (feet)
Storage Containers
Needles and thread

Clothing:

Clothing that can easily be layered.
Cold and warm weather clothing depending on climate
Boots and/or a good pair of shoes
Coat, Sweaters, scarves, gloves, etc.
Rain gear
Umbrella
Blankets & sleeping bags

Baby Items:
Bottles
Milk/Formula
Baby Food
Diapers
Wipes
Baby Lotion/ Powder/ Petroleum Jelly
Pacifier
Medications

Entertainment:
Books
Cards
Games
Puzzles
Music
Sewing & Knitting Supplies
Art
Coloring Books/Crayons
Educational Materials for Children

Documents to Keep Handy:
Photos
Marriage/ Death Certificates
Birth Certificates
Social Security Cards
Pink Slips
Housing contracts & deeds
Wills
Stocks/Bonds
Degrees & Certificates
Immunization Records
Bank Account Numbers

How to Protect Your Home in an Emergency Pandemic

In an emergency situation there may not be adequate police protection to respond to everyone. So it is important to have some kind of plan on how to secure your home to protect your family. In securing your home, you want to have supplies on hand before needed. You’ll also want to pre measure to see how much materials will be needed to secure windows, etc.

Options on securing a home in an emergency:
Bars – Bars can be installed over windows to keep intruders out.
Wood – Plywood can be screwed over windows in an emergency to keep windows from breaking and keeping people out.
Security Film – Strengthens windows
Reinforced Doors – Steel doors are stronger than all other types.
Plastic Sheeting – To keep germs out

Other options of personal protection:
Gun
Bat
Nail/Staple Gun
Bear Spray – Bear spray contains the chemical Oleoresin Capsicum, which gives it the burning sensation. It can be found in aerosol or foam. Foam is recommended over aerosol.
Dogs – Dogs are great in providing security and being an early warning system for intruders and are very loyal.
Security Camera
Motion Sensing Lights
Fire Extinguisher

About Providing Security
Keep supplies in safe spot and discuss with family and children so everyone knows what to do in being safe. Every person should know what to do in an emergency. They should be aware of their surroundings at all times.

Being Alert and Watchful
God wants Christians to know what is going on around them and to discern the times that they live in. He also wants them to completely trust him. Faith in Him casts out all fear because of trust in him. Jesus said in the end times there would be pestilences, so unfortunately Ebola may just be a preview of more of what will be coming later. The key is being alert and ready for whatever God allows.

Please take the time to review this quick guide that may help others in being prepared. Thanks