CDC Comic Books?

Preparedness 101: Zombie Pandemic

Here lately, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been using a "zombie" apocalypse or pandemic to promote preparedness with a touch of humor.  I don't know if it works with the general public, but the prepper community has been enjoying it, and it can make for a light-hearted ice breaker for a conversation with non-prepping family and friends.

Today, the CDC released two comic books (or "graphic novels" in the lingo of the kids today) entitled, Preparedness 101: Zombie Pandemic, parts 1 and 2.
 

SPOILER ALERT!!

The story starts with a couple watching a scary movie, then the wife goes up to bed.  The husband and dog keep watching TV when news comes on alerting to a virus running throughout the Southeast causing a zombie reaction.  The news and CDC encourage viewers to gather basic emergency preps and to stay inside.  The husband and dog go down in the basement and gather supplies, including an old battery operated radio that his dad used during storms. 

As the night progresses, the sweet, old lady from next door comes over and tries to kill the man, as she is now a zombie.  He gets her out of the house as the wife comes down and learns the news.  The CDC rapidly develops a vaccine, and the story shows the process for getting it out to the citizens.  Meanwhile, the couple decides to go to a shelter and we learn the importance of keeping gas in the car.  At the shelter, armed, camouflage-wearing troops welcome them in.  Zombies gather outside the school as news comes that a vaccine delivery is on the way.  As the delivery truck enters the school gate, a mass of zombies also gets in and attacks.  The troops exclaim that they can't shoot the zombies because they are citizens too.

Side Note:  To that, I ask, why have armed troops at the shelter if they won't eliminate the threat?  I assume it is to put down conspiracy theories about FEMA camps and show that people should get used to armed troops, but don't fear them because they won't shoot citizens.  This part of the comics really bothers me.  It was not a plot advancement device, and served no purpose.  Why have it be a part?  What underlying message is the CDC sending?  If the armed troops serve no purpose, why not simply have a local firefighter or deputy providing security at the shelter?

Back to the plot: As a zombie grabs the husband, he awakens from his dream to find his wife and dog leaning over him.  He tells about the dream and that he thinks they should prepare.  Just then, a storm approaches outside.  He goes in the basement to find his dad's old radio, and as they hunker down with the radio, they agree to go out in the morning and build their prep supplies.

All-in-all, this was a pretty entertaining story to get non-preppers interested.  It kind of showed what we talked about yesterday.  Prepping isn't just for the giant disasters, but also for everyday storms and daily living.  It is hard to read, at least on my screen, but check it out and think about sending the links to your non-prepping friends and family.