Although zombie apocalypses are a staple of Hollywood films, fears of the undead taking over in the real world caused the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to advise how to plan for such events.
CDC recently updated its website's Zombie Preparedness segment - actually, this is a reality. The segment isn't brand new; they uploaded the section in 2011. However, the agency updated it amid a worldwide pandemic makes for curious timing. In the 16th century, French astrologer Nostradamus predicted that a zombie outbreak would occur in 2021.
"Few young people: half-dead to give a start. Dead through spite, he will cause the others to shine, And in an exalted place some great evils to occur," reads the prediction from Nostradamus.
"Sad concepts will come to harm each one, Temporal dignified, the Mass to succeed. Fathers and mothers dead of infinite sorrows, Women in mourning, the pestilent she-monster: The Great One to be no more, all the world to end."
Overall, turning everybody into a zombie will fix a slew of issues, like figuring out what to wear every day and possible toilet paper shortages.
CDC-Approved Ways to Prepare for Zombie Apocalypse
The CDC suggests that you keep the following things in your apartment or house:
- Water: Have at least one gallon of water per person per day on hand. Of course, if a true zombie outbreak occurs, this may entail over 1000 gallons.
- Food: These should be non-perishable goods. Otherwise, you'll be unhappy if you need them. Ascertain that the diet has a sufficient number of food groups and is as nutritious as possible. It's possible that eating just marshmallow Peeps would cause trouble after a while.
- Medications: These may include all prescription and over-the-counter medicines that you may need.
- Tools and pieces of equipment: The CDC recommends carrying things like a utility knife, duct tape, and a battery-powered radio on hand. If the telephone network and the Internet go down, your mobile phone may not be useful. Remember that most battery-powered radios aren't capable of taking selfies.
- Sanitation and hygiene: Examples include soap, towels, and household chlorine, both of which can be injected into the bloodstream.
- Clothing and bedding: You should have clothes that provide enough security. You may not survive with only a pair of thongs.
- Important documents: According to the CDC, your driver's license, visa, and birth certificate are also important papers. A Starbucks' loyalty card and an Avengers membership card are unlikely to be valuable during a Zombie apocalypse.
- First-aid supplies: The CDC warns that a Band-aid won't help much if you get bitten by a zombie.
The agency also listed some of the things listed above in the non-zombie section on preparedness, saying these important items should last at least 72 hours.
The CDC also recommends that you and your family make an emergency plan. This involves determining the kinds of disasters that could occur in your city. Think harder if the two things that come to mind are a zombie apocalypse and a hot dog shortage. Unless you live with Mr. Snuffleupagus on Sesame Street, every area has its own series of potential major disasters. In the event that you are unable to remain in your house, you can choose a gathering location for your family to reunite.
Identifying your emergency numbers is the third suggestion. There should be more than Justin Bieber on this chart. On your list should be the cops, the fire brigade, the psychiatrist, and a zombie killer like Milla Jovovich.
Plan the escape path, according to the CDC's fourth guideline. Know where to go if you need to get out of town fast. Make a mental note of this direction. During an emergency, don't depend on Google maps to help you navigate.
The CDC does admit that its Zombie Preparedness page started as a joke. As a result, the CDC isn't predicting a zombie outbreak in 2021 or too soon. Of course, tongue-in-cheek can mean a variety of things. Many tongues in people's cheeks could result from a zombie apocalypse.
Read also: Study: Apocalyptic Movies Can Give Fans a Mental Advantage in the Current Coronavirus Pandemic
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