Can there be social distancing whilst fighting wildfires?

PREPARE FOR CHALLENGES TO HEALTH SYSTEMS

Climate Change will overload health systems. Climate change affected disasters (hurricanes, wildfires, floods) will cause disease control measures such as social distancing and restrictions on movement to break down. Disaster caused injuries will further overwhelm health systems.  COVID 19 and other infectious diseases will spread like wildfire. 


"Hurricane season starts June 1. We will still be in the coronavirus pandemic period, hopefully looking at a flat curve or a lowering of transmission and death. But.....the southern US states have been the last to impose restrictions on movement, and some have not yet done so. Hurricanes typically strike the coasts of those states, so we might be reading about really ugly situations developing down there. We all hope not, because we have enough tragedy this year."
RJ Zimmerman

 








'AMA President, Dr Tony Bartone, said today that the evidence is in on climate change - and it is irrefutable.


“The AMA accepts the scientific evidence on climate change and its impact on human health and human wellbeing,” Dr Bartone said.'

“The scientific reality is that climate change affects health and wellbeing by increasing the situations in which infectious diseases can be transmitted, and through more extreme weather events, particularly heatwaves.

“Climate change will cause higher mortality and morbidity from heat stress.

“Climate change will cause injury and mortality from increasingly severe weather events.

“Climate change will cause increases in the transmission of vector-borne diseases.












“Climate change will cause food insecurity resulting from declines in agricultural outputs.

“Climate change will cause a higher incidence of mental ill-health.

“These effects are already being observed internationally and in Australia. There is no doubt that climate change is a health emergency.

“The AMA is proud to join the international and local chorus of voices urging action to address climate change on health grounds,” Dr Bartone said.



The AMA is calling on the Australian Government to:

• Adopt mitigation targets within an Australian carbon budget. 
• Promote the health benefits of addressing climate change.
• Develop a National Strategy for Health and Climate Change.
• Promote an active transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy.
• Establish a National Sustainable Development Unit to reduce carbon emissions in the healthcare sector. https://ama.com.au/media/climate-change-health-emergency
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Further Suggested Actions by Followers

• investment in research and development to prepare or epidemics of diseases once confined to tropical locations 

• a dramatic development of mental health facilities 

• improvement of child health facilities

• ensure all have access to affordable healthcare 

• "At-risk communities should be given access to economical renewable energy; programs for affordable, climate-friendly heating or cooling options; and strong resilience measures to better cope with climate impacts." https://time.com/5672636/climate-change-public-health/  


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See also:  Prepare for likely food shortages