Methodist Church Active Against Swine Flu

How do I care for a swine flu patient? What are the signs it could be something worse? Is there a way to help my neighbors without exposing myself?

One place to go for answers and action is...the Methodist Church!

United Methodist Churches in Central Texas are taking an active part in preparing to relieve the effects of swine flu on residents, whether Methodists or not.

"The first secular job the early Church had was helping the sick," said Kerrville District Superintendent Bob Allen, whose area includes Blanco, Johnson City, and almost 50 other churches in this part of the state.

"We don't plan to abandon that job now. The church has a responsibility to play a role in society beyond just the religious sphere, and we plan to fulfill that responsibility exuberantly."

Back in May, Rev Allen assigned a volunteer to become the district's "flu guru", to learn about the disease and be a resource to pastors, churches and communities in the area. The result was an extensive body of knowledge of how organizations and families can prepare for and get through the flu pandemic the experts say will hit the US almost any day.

Now the district has posted its information on its website, at http://home.ktc.com/kdumc/DisasterPlan/flunew.htm and about half the content is specific to churches, and the other half for the average person concerned about swine flu.

"It isn't very pretty," said webmaster Jim Webb of Kerrville, "but being pretty never was a requirement. We made it easy to find, easy to understand, free of clutter. And if we don't have the answer to a question, we'll link you to another website that does."

In Blanco County, the United Methodist Churches are taking it another step. They're working with other denominations, government agencies and social service groups to create a support net to help residents through the flu pandemic.

Now -- before the flu hits -- the campaign focuses on preparation and education. One set of classes already completed prepared volunteers to help in flu shot clinics with the Texas Department of State Health Services. Another will teach home care for flu patients, and another is on over-the-counter medications for home flu treatment.

With the Blanco County Disaster Response Group, the coalition will offer errand-running service for home-bound flu patients who can't get out to get groceries or pick up prescriptions, and volunteers will train to answer telephoned questions about swine flu.

"We take the story of the Good Samaritan seriously," said Rev Sid Spiller of Johnson City's First UMC. "Whether the person in need is a member of our church, or any church, or lives here or not, if he needs us, we need to help."

It would be easy, Spiller added, for the church to say caring for the community's health is the government's job, or the healthcare industry's, or somebody else's.

"People expect their churches to do better than that," he said. "We can. We will. We are."

If you have thought about partnering with the Texas Department of State Health Services to provide a location and/or volunteers for their flu shot clinics this season, now's the time. There is guidance on our website (http://home.ktc.com/kdumc/DisasterPlan/flushot.html)  to tell you how.

If your church has a daycare or school, the US Centers for Disease Control has issued two new reports on early childhood programs and swine flu. They are CDC Guidance on Helping Child Care and Early Childhood Programs Respond to Influenza during the 2009-2010 Influenza Season (http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/childcare/guidance.htm) and Technical Report for State and Local Public Health Officials and Child Care and Early Childhood Providers on CDC Guidance on Helping Child Care and Early Childhood Programs Respond to Influenza during the 2009-2010 Influenza Season (http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/childcare/technical.htm).

For more information about the flu support coalition or to volunteer to help, contact
George Barnette at 713-252-2288.