CDC releases Zombie Preparedness Plan


In either a pop-culturally savvy move, or a terrifying one, the Centers for Disease Control has released a new Preparedness 101 plan for the Zombie Apocalypse.

The plan, originally published on the CDC's Public Health Matters blog, covers some basic history and medical info (such as that the infectious agent for zombification is called Ataxic Neurodegenerative Satiety Deficiency Syndrome, which the CDC incorrectly attributes to "Steven Schoolman" instead of Harvard psychiatrist Steven Schlozman, author of The Zombie Autopsies ... and which has now been corrected). The entry also includes safety tips, such as creating a safety kit, evacuation route and family meetup site.


The conceit of the plan by the CDC (which was caught off guard in The Walking Dead miniseries) is that being prepared for a zombie disaster is quite similar to being prepared for any natural disaster or emergency. 

It's a smart approach to pick up media attention and raise awareness for emergency preparedness - but is also quite lacking and dead wrong (or is it undead wrong?). After all, there is no mention of shotguns or machetes in the plan; absolutely no info on destroying a zombie's brain; how to kill a zombified loved one without hesitation; or what to do to find and fortify a stronghold (like a mall) where you can survive for an extended period.

Good beginning, CDC.  But let's hope your impending vampire preparedness plan is more complete (how to make your own wooden stakes, planting your garlic garden, etc.)