1/n: Thinking about the intersection of a coronavirus pandemic and what looks to be an early-onset wildfire season in CA: If many communities need to utilize social distancing+quarantine, what happens during large-scale evacuations?
2/n: We're going to see those self-isolating out of caution, or those sick being forced to leave their homes, often with little notice, and put into evacuation shelters, relative/friend's homes, =higher risk of spreading or contracting the virus.
3/n: Last 2 fire seasons have seen mass evacuations of 100,000s of people and more, so what happens if a pandemic, even a local one, happens in early summer, or during a major wind event? The probability of this occurring, given Bay Area outbreak, is not insignificant.
4/n: Based upon logarithmic growth of infection rates, and our dismal rain season, the collision is something we should calmly prepare for. This means your usual wildfire prep, but with an added focus on hygiene and what you'll do if you're sick or your community has an outbreak.
5/n: Will staying at your county fairground evacuation shelter be the right decision if you're sick? How will you ensure safe evac of an elderly/already sick family member? Think about it now, and should the situation occur, you're more likely to get through it safely.
6/n: To use the cliche, "plan for the worst and hope for the best." I've seen the difference between those who are prepared to evacuate and those who clearly are panicking as their street catches on fire, and it can be ugly. Save yourself and your family that trauma now.
7/n: If you haven't thought about where to go and are running for your life, then it's even worse. Sadly this will disproportionately affect those who don't have resources to purchase goods in advance, or without the luxury of somewhere else to go, or to miss shifts.
8/n: Those of us who have the luxury to prepare, should have spare supplies if possible. It's the morally right thing to do, if others are really in a bind. Personally that was handing out N95 masks during fire *past* seasons for those at-risk evacuating.
It goes without saying that N95 masks are virtually unobtainable and need to be saved for frontline healthcare workers, but the idea is to try and help your community and neighbors, rather than running for the hills during events that upend the normal order.
