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Among my jobs in the past was a stint as an emergency response planner for public health crises. You learn more than you want to know about terrorism in a job like that. 9-11 was about a year, give or take, in the past at this point, and it was still quasi-fresh on everyone’s minds.
Onefineday,Iwassenttoanothercitytodiscussmethodsfororganizingmassdispensaryclinicsforemergencymeds.Iwastheonlymaninthegroup,whichspentmostofthedaychattingandpickingoutvariouspointsonaschematicofanearbyarena.Therewasalotofchit-chat,somegiggles,and“catchingup”goingon.Abouttheonlypertinentnuggetwasthatonedepartmenthadusedfreecandybarstoenticepeopleintoapracticeclinic.
Asthedayworeon,Ibeganpokingattheplansandasking,“Whereareyoustoringthemedication?”“Wherewouldyoupostsecurity?” “Haveyouestablishedthebestplacesforthequeues?”“Arewehandingoutthepatienteducationinformationwiththemedsoronthewayoutthedoor?”Youknow,sillythrow-awayquestionslikethat.EachtimeIraisedanissue,Iwasmetwithstonysilenceand
