Although it was originally designed to combat the flu, the coronavirus triggered the creation of the plan. Mississippi health officials and the government began preparing for a pandemic of an unknown influenza strain more than ten years ago. This strain is not coronavirus. There is no vaccine, treatment or immunity for it. In 2009, former Gov. The final 447-page document was completed by Haley Barbour in June 2019. It is used as a guide for emergency management officers, health professionals and other state agencies. The Mississippi Pandemic Influenza Incident Annex anticipates massive deaths and a crippled economy. Mississippi Today obtained the plan. It states that “a large number of patients will increase the burden on hospitals and other healthcare infrastructure.” “All areas of both the public and private sector will be adversely affected if there is a pandemic… There may be multiple waves with different morbidity or mortality. Tate Reeves, along with other officials, has also detailed the chain of command, mapped out the responsibilities of department heads for their agencies, and documented the priorities throughout the state government prior to, during, and after the pandemic. Although the plan’s workflow considerations were strictly adhered to by health officials, many of its components have been scrapped due to the inherent differences between an influenza pandemic or a coronavirus pandemic. “With influenza, there is a subset who is already immune. But with coronavirus, we don’t have any. That’s why it’s a greater challenge,” Thomas Dobbs (State Health Officer) said. He was also a member of the committee that created the pandemic plan. The plan’s social distancing measures, for example, are much more gentle than what we’re currently doing. Another thing is that we don’t have many of the tools (for coronavirus), like pharmaceutical interventions such as Tamiflu or (other influenza treatments). * Ensuring continuity of food supply systems. This is because “many of our usual sources of food, such as schools lunch programs, farmers’ market and grocery stores, might be closed or have restricted access during times when strict community protection measures (e.g. social distancing and sheltering-in place directives) must all be observed.” * Implementing comprehensive Telework Plans that allow state employees to access vital records and databases using secure encryption technology. In response to the new coronavirus epidemic, state officials have diverted some of the plan’s recommendations. Although the plan didn’t provide any guidance about what businesses should be considered essential during shelter-in-place orders or other forms of societal shutdowns, it did list 41 state government bodies as “essential.” However, the American Red Cross was the only non-governmental essential entity included in the plan. Reeves issued a broad definition for “essential business” last month, which exempted all private businesses and industries from any shelter-in place order. Reeves requested agency heads to allow state workers to work remotely if they are able, but many are not able to. Another diversion concerns the closing of schools. According to the pandemic plan, local school officials and county health departments will make decisions about closing schools. Reeves issued a state-wide order closing all schools in the state following the lead of other governors. He announced this week that all state schools would remain closed for the remainder of the school year. Was it perfect? Reeves stated Wednesday that the pandemic plan was not perfect. I don’t think anyone could write 460 pages on any topic that was perfect. It was well-thought out and provided a guideline for our actions. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization recommend that the pandemic plan be divided into operational phases. Officials currently operate in the second phase, “Response,” of the three-part plan. The first is called “Preparedness”, and the last is “Recovery.” This section gives insight into the future of Mississippi’s pandemic. The plan’s next phase will focus on facilitating recovery in public health and institutions of health care, as well as preparing for an eventual wave of infections and replenishing resources stockpiles. The plan’s Recovery section also addresses mental health. The plan states that mental health will be an important factor in returning to normalcy throughout the state. “All agencies have to identify resources to support their staff.” The pandemic plan focuses on how officials in Mississippi can administer a vaccine. It also provides guidance for each of the three operational phases. The Mississippi plan, based on research from national researchers suggests that a vaccine might not be available for the first four to six month of the pandemic. It will then have limited availability. This estimate was made for a new influenza strain. A COVID-19 vaccine will likely take longer. The plan states that vaccination may take as long as 20 months due to the limited production and supply of vaccine. The plan also includes five pages about how state officials should deal with high rates of mortality. According to the plan, a severe pandemic could result in Mississippi suffering up to 15,000 deaths. This would make it difficult for local authorities and families of victims. As of Wednesday morning, there had been 3,360 coronavirus cases reported by the state health department and 122 deaths related to the virus. On Tuesday, at least 273 new Mississippi cases were identified. This is the highest number of new cases reported in one day since the pandemic hit the state. Also, 11 people were killed on Tuesday. The plan provides guidance to 11 state agencies and associations, such as the Mississippi Funeral Directors Association and Mississippi Coroners Association, on how they should handle an increase in deaths. The plan states that an effective response must include a prompt, safe, and respectful disposition for the deceased. “This effort requires accurate, sensitive, and timely public relations.” This plan was created by a commission Gov. Barbour was appointed in 2009. Barbour was appointed in 2009. The final version of the plan was approved in June 2019 by other state officials and agency heads. Barbour explained to Mississippi Today that he was inspired by Hurricane Katrina’s lessons and commissioned the plan. Barbour stated that “after Hurricane Camille struck in 1969, many people, long before my time as governor, had planned for the next terrible storm.” “The problem is (that) Katrina wasn’t anything like Camille. But, having a plan, practicing and having lots people on the ground who knew what to do in case of a severe hurricane made things much easier.