HHS issues preparedness resource for August solar eclipse

The Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response today released a resource to help emergency health care planners and providers prepare for and address response concerns related to the Aug. 21 solar eclipse. “It is expected that millions will travel to locations across the country to view this rare event,” the document notes. “Many of these locations are rural with limited health care infrastructure, and since these sites are not (yet) officially sponsored, the typical augmentation of resources that accompanies planned mass gatherings will not take place.” The resource provides links to factsheets, checklists, locally-developed guidance documents and news articles on eye safety, injury treatment and planned mass gatherings.