The 1980s are alive in South Korea, and other news from the US Embassy

Okay, so the Embassy has nothing to tell you about the resurgence of 80s styles, but their missives are just so dry, I figured something was needed to spruce this message up. So check out this absurd sweater I bought at E-Mart. It makes me feel so glamorous. I think that's a sign that I've been watching way too much A-Team and Miami Vice on S-TV.

But now for the more important stuff - the latest message from the US Embassy, for all you American ex-pats in Korea who haven't bothered registering:

AVIAN INFLUENZA: HOW TO PREPARE FOR “SHELTERING-IN-PLACE”

Health professionals are concerned that the continued spread of a highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) virus among animals in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Europe has the potential to significantly threaten human health. If a virus such as H5N1 mutates and spreads easily from one person to another, avian influenza may break out globally. While there are no reports of sustained human-to-human transmission of avian influenza, the U.S. government and international health agencies are preparing for a possible pandemic. Depending on the severity of a pandemic, commercial airlines might drastically curtail or even cease operations. Travel restrictions could also impede people from returning to the United States or fleeing to other countries. For these reasons, it may make more sense to “shelter-in-place” (i.e., stay home and practice “social distancing” to avoid contagion) for an appropriate period of time. Due to varying conditions overseas, Americans abroad should evaluate their situation and prepare emergency supplies accordingly (non-perishable food, potable water, medicines, etc.) for the possibility of sheltering-in-place for at least two and up to twelve weeks. Water purification techniques such as boiling, filtering, and/or adding chlorine to locally available rainwater, swimming pools, lakes, rivers, and wells may replace the need to store large quantities of water.What can you do on a daily basis? Cover your cough. Wash your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds to eradicate viruses and bacteria or apply a hand sanitizer with a minimum of 60% alcohol content when soap and water are not available. Stay home if you are sick. Vaccinate yourself against seasonal flu.Travel: American citizens living in or traveling to countries with human or animal cases of H5N1 virus should consider the potential risks. Keep informed of the latest medical guidance and practical information and plan accordingly. Consult http://www.travel.state.gov for the latest tips on international travel.On-Line Resources: Detailed information about suggested preparations, as well as planning checklists, are available on the U.S. government’s one-stop website on pandemic influenza (http://www.pandemicflu.gov), the World Health Organization (http://www.who.int/en/), and the Centers for Disease Control (http://www.cdc.gov) websites.

EMBASSY EMERGENCY EVACUATION PLAN

U.S. citizens are urged to familiarize themselves with the evacuation plan the Embassy will activate in the event of an emergency. The Emergency Evacuation Plan is located on the Embassy’s website: http://korea.usembassy.gov/emergency_evacuation.html. The plan has one objective: to help you to move away from an area of possible danger. It calls for the U.S. Department of State, with U.S. military assistance if necessary, to provide the means by which U.S. citizens can leave Korea as safely and swiftly as possible. The plan places responsibility on U.S. citizens to take an active role in their own evacuation.The chance that an evacuation might be necessary is remote. As anywhere else in the world, however, you should be alert to changing circumstances and make your personal decision to depart voluntarily if you feel uncomfortable with the situation. If circumstances should change too rapidly for you to be able to leave on your own, the webpage referenced above will help you help yourself in a safe evacuation from Korea.

HOW TO REGISTER YOUR STAY ABROAD WITH U.S. EMBASSIES

Whether you subscribe to our newsletter or not, we invite you to register yourself and your family with the Embassy. Registration is a voluntary way of telling us that you, as an American Citizen, are in Korea, whether for a long-term stay or for a short-term visit. In the event of an emergency, we use registration information to communicate with you. This could include a family emergency which causes relatives in the U.S. to request that the Embassy contact you.Registration is conducted through the State Department’s secure online travel registration website at: https://travelregistration.state.gov. The previous paper-based registration system no longer exists. The Internet travel registration service allows you, as an American citizen, to record foreign trip, residence, and contact information. It allows you to update your contact information on the Internet at any time, making it easier for you to keep your information current. The data you provide is secured behind U.S. Department of State firewalls, accessible only to cleared personnel in U.S. Embassies and Consulates and the Department of State, and releasable only under the provisions of the Privacy Act. The website also provides you with up-to-date travel information customized to your unique travel agenda and itinerary.If you last registered with the Embassy in Seoul prior to July 2004 when on-line registration began, please re-register on-line to update your records.