In the past few years, the zombie apocalypse has grabbed our imaginations by the tail and shook until we were all full of fear. Movies, comics, TV programmes, survival guides, you name it, we’ve had it. From Shaun of the Dead to The Zombie Survival Guide by Max Brooks, we are all living in a society fearful of the dead rising from the grave and ravaging our bodies for our brains.
Now it seems that the official channels have also got involved. Upon casually surfing the undead side of the internet, I found this.
Yes, this actually exists. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have kindly made us a reader friendly user guide on how to survive the zombie apocalypse. Written in the form of a comic book, we find ourselves being introduced to Todd, Julie and their dog Max living in a world where a flu virus on steroids has started to infect their fellow citizens, transforming them into zombies. We then follow them through their adventure to the “safe zone” with a twist at the end which I won’t spoil for you. Spoilers!
With a handy checklist at the end to help us build an emergency kit of our own, I find the guide mainly focuses on this kit and this kit alone.
From what we know of the apocalypse from the many movie adaptations out there, there are many gaps within this guide to help us survive. Many questions are left unanswered and I have listed just a few below:
- What happens if the zombies get through the windows of our house?
- What do we fight with?
- How do you kill a zombie?
- Can you tell me anything useful other than what I need in a kit I will most probably drop whilst running from the undead?
Whilst it is entertaining, some answers may not be set in stone and kudos to the CDC for trying, it would be nice to have a little more information. So, take note CDC! I will be awaiting your survival guide part two.
If you would like to see this for yourself you can access the site from here:
http://www.cdc.gov/phpr/zombies_novella.htm
and the PDF version here:
http://www.cdc.gov/phpr/_media/cymkPrint/11_225700_A_Zombie_Final.pdf
