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| Pandemic Panic? |
| By Joe Bouchard |
| Published: 04/27/2009 |
The potential of a pandemic outbreak of the swine flu is something that should be given very serious consideration. This is especially true for those of us who work in a closed area with many people.
“I work in a Petri dish”, a friend once remarked to me. And she was really not kidding. As an education professional, with her phrasing was apt. During flu season, it seems that almost everyone in a school succumbs to a health issue of some sort. Corrections staff are generally in the same position. Close quarters and many people make it inevitable that illnesses spreads. Fortunately, we are an informed population. Prevention and disease information is prominently displayed on any news station. Many corrections agencies have disseminated an informational bulletin regarding the swine flu. And while some individual staff may deride the tedium of mandatory air borne/blood borne pathogens training every year, the information is useful and vital. As the world mobilizes for the potential outbreak, we in corrections need to also consider the psychological impact of the news. There are two real dangers to morale and safety in this scenario: paranoia and instigation. There is a progression of anxiety. If we were to draw a panic continuum, we could plot “concerned” at the left side of the line. Concerned could encompass those who are nervous, but not in a panic. In other words, that is most of us. The concerned will not borrow too much anxiety, but will take sensible precautions such as hand sanitation, staying home when sick, etc. Towards the middle of the continuum is “Alarmist”. Examples of alarmist thinking are plentiful. When the alarmist sees an overcast day, they think of tornadoes. The alarmist, when faced with sniffles, predicts a week in bed, nursing the malady. At the extreme right side of the continuum is the “Apocalyst”. Essentially, this is the alarmist on steroids. Stress drives this type into a headlong spiral towards self-prophesized doom. When the apocalyst sees an overcast day, they think of instant death by tornadoes. The apocalyst, when faced with sniffles, predicts a few days in the ICU, then a painful death. Concerned.....................................Alarmist.........................................Apocalyst X---------------------------------------X-----------------------------------------X (The panic continuum) With potential panic, there is a real danger to all inside any facility. Tensions rise in the wake of pandemic news. Safety diminishes because offenders and staff are less calm. It is easy to predict how the paranoia of an alarmist and the gloom of an apocalyst can whip staff and offenders into a frenzy. And just as illnesses can become worse with exacerbating factors, Peril in our facilities is increased by instigation. In this case, an instigator is someone who rides the paranoia of others and feed the trepidations. It may be for the sake of boredom, lack of personal power or just simple malevolence that the instigator stokes the fires of fear. Whatever the motives, the danger is clear. The instigator is like a heavy rainstorm to a town beleaguered by an imminent flood. The instigator watches selected targets, staff and offenders, and gauges their nervousness over the news. The instigator then applies words chosen specifically to excite the target. The modes vary because of the needs and perceptions of the target and the style range of the instigator. In medicine, there are measures to take against viruses. We can employ a counter-instigation in this. In other words, staff should use a calm, rational tone when speaking of the news of a pandemic. As defusers, we mitigate the chaos by advocating actions as prescribed by the administration and policy. We should keep our eyes on the news and filter out the sensationalism. Those of us who are medical staff need not act in that capacity. Yet, we are armed with plenty of knowledge to stem the tide of pandemonium. This is a good time to review policy and procedure on the topic. Also, staff should re-familiarize themselves with facility and agency disaster plans. It is also important to identify the contagion. Staff should report who is inciting panic and monitor the actions. It is important to remember that when the instigator is influential in the population, the spread of panic is quicker and more profound. None of this is to mitigate the potential dangers of outbreaks. It is very serious and no amount of well-wishing will stop the advance of a disease. However, it is crucial to manage the disease with medical precautions and mental preparedness. Panic is another facet of an outbreak. Panic in an institutional setting, obviously, equals danger. With all maladies, prevention is an important part in limiting the spread. Of course, there is no one hundred percent guarantee that everyone will be completely safe. But, by addressing some of the psychological symptoms of the announcement of a pandemic, we help maintain safety. About the Author – Joe Bouchard is a Librarian at Baraga Maximum Correctional Facility within the Michigan Department of Corrections. He is also a member of the Board of Experts for The Corrections Professional and an instructor of Corrections and Psychology for Gogebic Community College. You can reach him at (906) 353-7070 ext 1321 These are the opinions of Joe Bouchard, a Librarian employed with the Michigan Department of Corrections. These are not necessarily the opinions of the Department. The MDOC is not responsible for the content or accuracy. Visit the Joe Bouchard page |
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