{"id":4535,"date":"2023-08-30T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-08-30T10:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/?p=4535"},"modified":"2024-12-14T05:09:34","modified_gmt":"2024-12-14T05:09:34","slug":"best-cities-zombie-preparedness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/best-cities-zombie-preparedness\/","title":{"rendered":"2023&#8217;s Best Cities for Surviving a Zombie Apocalypse"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the (unlikely?) event of a zombie outbreak, where do the living have the best chance of making it out alive?<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With a new spinoff series of \u201cThe Walking Dead\u201d premiering Sept. 10, <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/\">Lawn Love<\/a> ranked 2023&#8217;s Best Cities for Surviving a Zombie Apocalypse.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We compared the 200 biggest U.S. cities based on five zombie survival categories: Vulnerability, Hideouts, Supplies, Protection, and Mobility. We considered population density, access to \u201cbunkers,\u201d and hunting gear stores, for example, among 30 total metrics.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">See if your city is prepared to fight the undead in our ranking below. To learn how we ranked the cities, see our <a href=\"#methodology\">methodology<\/a>.<\/p>    <h2 id=\"in-this-article\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">In this article<\/h2>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><a href=\"#rankings\">City rankings + infographic<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"#top-5\">Top 5 close up<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"#key-insights\">Key insights<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"#ask-the-experts\">Expert take<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"#methodology\">Behind the ranking<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"#final-thoughts\">Final thoughts: Zombies are among us<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"rankings\"><span id=\"city-rankings-infographic\">City rankings + infographic<\/span><\/h2>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">See how each city fared in our ranking:<\/p>   <div class=\"infogram-embed\" data-id=\"c7c3579f-bdf2-4f1b-8cdb-f783c2c809b6\" data-type=\"interactive\" data-title=\"LL Ranking Table - 2023&amp;#39;s Best Cities for Surviving a Zombie Apocolypse\"><\/div> <p><script>!function(e,n,i,s){var d=\"InfogramEmbeds\",o=e.getElementsByTagName(n)[0];if(window[d]&&window[d].initialized)window[d].process&&window[d].process();else if(!e.getElementById(i)){var t=e.createElement(n);t.async=1,t.id=i,t.src=\"https:\/\/infogram.com\/js\/dist\/embed-loader-min.js\",o.parentNode.insertBefore(t,o)}}(document,\"script\",\"infogram-async\");<\/script><\/p>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"1864\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/2023s-Best-Cities-for-Surviving-a-Zombie-Apocalypse-Infographic1-1.png\" alt=\"Infographic showing best cities for zombies based on walk scores, shares of homes with bunkers and hunting gear stores\" class=\"wp-image-17404\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/2023s-Best-Cities-for-Surviving-a-Zombie-Apocalypse-Infographic1-1.png 800w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/2023s-Best-Cities-for-Surviving-a-Zombie-Apocalypse-Infographic1-1-129x300.png 129w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/2023s-Best-Cities-for-Surviving-a-Zombie-Apocalypse-Infographic1-1-439x1024.png 439w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/2023s-Best-Cities-for-Surviving-a-Zombie-Apocalypse-Infographic1-1-768x1789.png 768w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/2023s-Best-Cities-for-Surviving-a-Zombie-Apocalypse-Infographic1-1-659x1536.png 659w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/2023s-Best-Cities-for-Surviving-a-Zombie-Apocalypse-Infographic1-1-610x1421.png 610w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong><em>Note: <\/em><\/strong><em>For presentation purposes, not all ties may be displayed for some metrics above.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"top-5\"><span id=\"top-5-close-up\">Top 5 close up<\/span><\/h2>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Check out the slideshow below for highlights and lowlights on each of our top five cities.<\/p>   <div style=\"min-height: 535px\" class=\"ub_image_slider swiper-container wp-block-ub-image-slider\" id=\"ub_image_slider_ff9706e5-b03c-4870-a544-8613cec7efbf\" data-swiper-data='{\"speed\":300,\"spaceBetween\":20,\"slidesPerView\":1,\"loop\":true,\"pagination\":{\"el\": \".swiper-pagination\" , \"type\": \"bullets\", \"clickable\":true},\"navigation\": {\"nextEl\": \".swiper-button-next\", \"prevEl\": \".swiper-button-prev\"}, \"keyboard\": { \"enabled\": true }, \"effect\": \"slide\",\"simulateTouch\":false}'>             <div class=\"swiper-wrapper\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide\">                 <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Houston-LL.jpg\" alt=\"The sunset reflects on high-rise buildings in Houston.\" style=\"height: 500px;; \">                 <figcaption class=\"ub_image_slider_image_caption\"><strong>No. 1: <\/strong>Houston | <strong>Overall score: <\/strong>66.14<br><br><strong>Number of Supermarkets Rank: <\/strong>1<br><strong>Number of Hunting Gear Stores Rank: <\/strong>1<br><strong>Number of Weapons and Ammunitions Stores Rank: <\/strong>1<br><strong>Number of Airports Rank: <\/strong>1<br><strong>Number of Helipads Rank: <\/strong>1<br><br>Photo credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pexels.com\/photo\/high-rise-buildings-in-the-city-under-the-cloudy-sky-10893475\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Trace Hudson<\/a> | Pexels | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pexels.com\/license\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Pexels License<\/a><\/figcaption>             <\/figure><figure class=\"swiper-slide\">                 <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/NEW-YORK111.jpg\" alt=\"Morning light reflects across New York City\u2019s skyline.\" style=\"height: 500px;; \">                 <figcaption class=\"ub_image_slider_image_caption\"><strong>No. 2: <\/strong>New York | <strong>Overall score: <\/strong>62.39<br><br><strong>Hospitals per Square Mile Rank: <\/strong>9<br><strong>Number of Grocery Stores Rank: <\/strong>2<br><strong>Number of Convenience Stores Rank: <\/strong>1<br><strong>Number of Hardware Stores Rank: <\/strong>1<br><strong>Number of Outdoor Gear Stores Rank: <\/strong>1<br><br>Photo credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pexels.com\/photo\/skyline-photo-of-empire-state-building-in-new-york-city-2190283\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Roberto Vivancos<\/a> | Pexels | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pexels.com\/license\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Pexels License<\/a><\/figcaption>             <\/figure><figure class=\"swiper-slide\">                 <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/San-Antonio-LL-1.jpg\" alt=\"Historic hotels and highrise buildings stand out on a hazy day in San Antonio.\" style=\"height: 500px;; \">                 <figcaption class=\"ub_image_slider_image_caption\"><strong>No. 3: <\/strong>San Antonio | <strong>Overall score: <\/strong>57.47<br><br><strong>Number of Supermarkets Rank: <\/strong>2<br><strong>Number of Convenience Stores Rank: <\/strong>4<br><strong>Number of Hunting Gear Stores Rank: <\/strong>3<br><strong>Number of Weapons and Ammunitions Stores Rank: <\/strong>6<br><strong>Number of Airports Rank: <\/strong>2<br><br>Photo credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/photos\/RzOUP6_Aa80\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">weston m<\/a> | Unsplash | <a href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/license\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Unsplash License<\/a><\/figcaption>             <\/figure><figure class=\"swiper-slide\">                 <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/MIAMI111.jpg\" alt=\"Skyscrapers stand tall in contrast against the blue sky and ocean in Miami.\" style=\"height: 500px;; \">                 <figcaption class=\"ub_image_slider_image_caption\"><strong>No. 4: <\/strong>Miami | <strong>Overall score: <\/strong>55.45<br><br><strong>Hospitals per Square Mile Rank: <\/strong>1<br><strong>Urgent Care Clinics per Square Mile Rank: <\/strong>1<br><strong>Number of Grocery Stores Rank: <\/strong>6<br><strong>Number of Hunting Gear Stores Rank: <\/strong>2<br><strong>Number of Shooting Ranges Rank: <\/strong>4<br><br>Photo credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pexels.com\/photo\/tall-buildings-in-the-city-4118101\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Tory Brown<\/a> | Pexels | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pexels.com\/license\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Pexels License<\/a><\/figcaption>             <\/figure><figure class=\"swiper-slide\">                 <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Los-Angeles-CA-1.jpg\" alt=\"The Griffith Observatory stands atop a hill overlooking the Los Angeles skyline.\" style=\"height: 500px;; \">                 <figcaption class=\"ub_image_slider_image_caption\"><strong>No. 5: <\/strong>Los Angeles | <strong>Overall score: <\/strong>55.25<br><br><strong>Number of Grocery Stores Rank: <\/strong>1<br><strong>Number of Convenience Stores Rank: <\/strong>2<br><strong>Number of Hardware Stores Rank: <\/strong>2<br><strong>Number of Firearm Training Facilities Rank: <\/strong>2<br><strong>Number of Helipads Rank:<\/strong> 2<br><br>Photo credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pexels.com\/photo\/white-and-brown-buildings-2709964\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Roberto Nickson<\/a> | Pexels | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pexels.com\/license\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Pexels License<\/a><\/figcaption>             <\/figure><\/div>             <div class=\"swiper-pagination\"><\/div>             <div class=\"swiper-button-prev\"><\/div> <div class=\"swiper-button-next\"><\/div>         <\/div>   <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"key-insights\">Key insights<\/h2>    <h3 id=\"the-gist\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">The gist<\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Texas<\/strong> is a standout state for zombie survival in our ranking this year. Three Lone Star cities \u2014 <strong>Houston<\/strong> (No. 1), <strong>San Antonio<\/strong> (No. 3), and <strong>Austin<\/strong> (No. 6) \u2014 finish in the <strong>top 10<\/strong>, alongside other big cities like <strong>New York<\/strong> (No. 2) and <strong>Los Angeles<\/strong> (No. 5). Residents of NYC and LA might have larger zombie populations to fight off, but they also have the best access to survival supplies and escape routes.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Detroit<\/strong> (No. 194) and <strong>Jackson<\/strong>, <strong>Mississippi<\/strong> (No. 199), land <strong>at the bottom<\/strong>, alongside several suburban cities, including <strong>Miramar<\/strong>, <strong>Florida<\/strong>, in last place. These cities miss access to survival essentials from <strong>supermarkets<\/strong> to <strong>pharmacies<\/strong> and <strong>outdoor gear shops<\/strong>. Additionally, Detroit and Jackson have higher rates of homes <strong>lacking full kitchen<\/strong> and <strong>plumbing facilities <\/strong>\u2014 not ideal when barricading yourself from the walking dead.<\/p>    <h3 id=\"standout-stats\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Standout stats<\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>H-Town immunity<\/strong><\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>Houston<\/strong> (No. 1) is most prepared to fight zombies, with the <strong>most hunting gear stores<\/strong>, <strong>18<\/strong>, and <strong>weapons<\/strong> and <strong>ammunition stores<\/strong>, <strong>60<\/strong>. Houston also claims the <strong>most airports<\/strong> and <strong>helipads<\/strong> and has Gulf Coast access via <strong>ports<\/strong> and <strong>marinas<\/strong> to escape the living dead.<\/li> <\/ul>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Big Apple advantages<\/strong><\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>You won\u2019t want to get caught in Times Square during a zombie outbreak \u2014 <strong>New York<\/strong> (No. 2) is the <strong>densest U.S. city<\/strong>, contributing to its low rank in <strong>Vulnerability <\/strong>at <strong>No. 172<\/strong>. However, NYC has a big <strong>advantage<\/strong> at <strong>No. 1<\/strong> in <strong>Supplies<\/strong>, boasting the <strong>most convenience<\/strong>, <strong>hardware<\/strong>, and <strong>department stores<\/strong> to stock up for survival.<\/li> <\/ul>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Coastal mobility<\/strong><\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>Portland<\/strong>, <strong>Oregon<\/strong> (No. 11), claims <strong>1st place<\/strong> in <strong>Mobility<\/strong> \u2014 followed by <strong>San Francisco<\/strong> (No. 21), and <strong>New York<\/strong> (No. 2) \u2014 offering <strong>ideal escapes<\/strong> in the event of an outbreak. In addition to their <strong>port<\/strong> and <strong>marina access<\/strong>, all three cities are easy to get around <strong>on foot<\/strong> or by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/studies\/best-biking-cities\/\"><strong>bike<\/strong><\/a>.<\/li> <\/ul>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Lone Star survival&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>San Antonio<\/strong> (No. 3) and <strong>Austin<\/strong> (No. 6) boast superb access to <strong>hardware stores<\/strong> and <strong>shooting ranges<\/strong>. Alamo City stands out with the <strong>2nd-highest number<\/strong> of <strong>supermarkets<\/strong> and <strong>3rd-highest number<\/strong> of <strong>hunting gear stores. <\/strong>The city also has a robust <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitsanantonio.com\/military-city-usa\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">military community<\/a> to defend against the army of the dead. <strong>Dallas<\/strong> (No. 17), <strong>Fort Worth<\/strong> (No. 28), and <strong>El Paso<\/strong> (No. 32) land closely behind with high ranks in <strong>Supplies<\/strong> and <strong>Protection<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/li> <\/ul>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Twinning infrastructure<\/strong><\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>Minnesota cities St. Paul<\/strong> (No. 55) and <strong>Minneapolis<\/strong> (No. 26) take <strong>1st<\/strong> and <strong>2nd places<\/strong>, respectively, in <strong>Hideouts<\/strong>, with many homes featuring <strong>basements<\/strong> and <strong>full kitchen<\/strong> and <strong>plumbing facilities<\/strong>. The Twin Cities also offer <strong>unique skyway systems<\/strong>, connecting downtown city blocks with <strong>enclosed footbridges<\/strong>. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.minneapolis.org\/map-transportation\/minneapolis-skyway-guide\/#:~:text=The%20Minneapolis%20Skyway%20System%20is,pathways%20connecting%2080%20city%20blocks.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Minneapolis Skyway System<\/a> is 9.5 miles long, and the <a href=\"https:\/\/stpaul.maps.arcgis.com\/apps\/webappviewer\/index.html?id=0d52847f76e547debf48f2af393d0185\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Saint Paul Skyway<\/a> spans 5 miles.&nbsp;<\/li> <\/ul>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Ready to run<\/strong><\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>Residents in two <strong>Evergreen State<\/strong> cities are most <strong>prepared to <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/best-cities-for-runners\/\"><strong>outrun<\/strong><\/a> the undead. <strong>Bellevue<\/strong> (No. 76) claims the <strong>lowest physical inactivity rate<\/strong>, followed by <strong>Seattle<\/strong> (No. 14).&nbsp;<\/li> <\/ul>    <h3 id=\"honorable-mentions\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Honorable mentions<\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Hit-or-miss hideouts<\/strong><\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>Basements are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.regionalfoundationrepair.com\/basement-waterproofing\/why-are-there-no-basements-in-some-states\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">declining in popularity<\/a> but are still common in homes in the <strong>Northeast<\/strong> and <strong>Midwest<\/strong>, especially <strong>Massachusetts<\/strong>. <strong>Boston <\/strong>(No. 47) has the <strong>highest share<\/strong>, nearly <strong>86%<\/strong> of <strong>homes have basements<\/strong>. You\u2019re <a href=\"https:\/\/www.southernliving.com\/home\/texas-homes-no-basements\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">unlikely<\/a> to find a basement bunker in <strong>Laredo, Texas <\/strong>(No. 189), where <strong>0% of homes<\/strong> have <strong>basements<\/strong>. Laredo did, however, design a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uisd.net\/aboutus\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">school<\/a> to be an underground community shelter in the event of an atomic bomb \u2014 or zombie apocalypse.<\/li> <\/ul>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Prepper palaces<\/strong><\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>South Dakota<\/strong> is home to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.terravivos.com\/vivosxpoint.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Vivos xPoint<\/a> \u2014 the world\u2019s largest off-grid bunker community, featuring 575 comfortable bunker-style homes. <strong>Sioux Falls<\/strong> (No. 92) finishes in the top half of our ranking, with plenty of <strong>basements<\/strong>, <strong>low population density<\/strong>, and a high share of <strong>healthy<\/strong> and <strong>physically active residents<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/li> <\/ul>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>State-of-the-art survival<\/strong><\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>Emergency preparedness is a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.axios.com\/local\/salt-lake-city\/2023\/06\/05\/prepper-survivalist-business-expo-utah#:~:text=Context%3A%20Utah%20is%20a%20major%20driver%20of%20the%20prepper%20movement%20due%20to%20Mormonism%27s%20longtime%20focus%20on%20emergency%20preparedness%2C%20as%20well%20as%20the%20faith%27s%20end%2Dtimes%20teachings.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>key component<\/strong><\/a> of the Mormon doctrine. Serious stockpilers can find the <strong>latest survivalist industry innovations<\/strong> at the <a href=\"https:\/\/bepreparedexpo.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Be Prepared Expo<\/a>, an annual conference located 20 minutes outside of <strong>Salt Lake City<\/strong> (No. 23) \u2014 home to the world headquarters of the Latter-day Saints. While <strong>West Valley City, Utah<\/strong> (No. 191), didn\u2019t rank as high as SLC, its Mormon residents are likely still better prepared than the rest of the country.<\/li> <\/ul>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"ask-the-experts\"><span id=\"expert-take\">Expert take<\/span><\/h2>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We asked a panel of warm-bodied experts to weigh in on the biggest considerations when fighting the undead. Read their thoughts below.<\/p>    <ol class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>What is the likelihood of a zombie apocalypse actually happening and why?<br><\/li>    <li>Movies have taught us that, in order to survive a zombie apocalypse, the living must keep moving. When traveling, how should you prioritize what to pack, who to bring, when to go, etc.?<br><\/li>    <li>Where are the best places to seek shelter when on the move?<br><\/li>    <li>What are the three best weapons against zombies and why those?<br><\/li>    <li>What are your three most important tips for surviving a zombie apocalypse?<\/li> <\/ol>   <div id=\"experts-block\" class=\"experts\">     <h2 id=\"ask-the-experts\" class=\"text-2xl font-bold text-black mb-3\">Ask The Experts<\/h2>       <div id=\"experts-container\" class=\"relative lg:mt-6\" x-data=\"experts()\" x-init=\"init()\">      <style>       .expert-avatars {         scrollbar-width: none;         -ms-overflow-style: none;          \/* momentum scroll on iOS *\/         -webkit-overflow-scrolling: touch;          \/* disbable vertical scroll for touch *\/         touch-action: pan-x;       }        \/* hide scroll bar *\/       .expert-avatars::-webkit-scrollbar {         display: none;       }        .expert-avatars .item {         width: 125px;         flex-shrink: 0;       }        .expert-avatars .item:not(:last-child) {         margin-right: 10px;       }        \/* hacky fix for padding at the end of the.expert-avatars *\/       .expert-avatars .item:last-child {         position: relative;       }        .expert-avatars .item:last-child::after {         position: absolute;         left: 100%;         height: 1px;         width: 20px;         display: block;         content: \"\";       }        .trim-label {         max-height: 18px;         text-overflow: ellipsis;         overflow: hidden;         display: -webkit-box;         -webkit-line-clamp: 1;         -webkit-box-orient: vertical;         line-height: 1.4;       }        .credentials {         max-height: 18px;         width: 250px;         text-overflow: ellipsis;         overflow: hidden;         display: -webkit-box;         -webkit-line-clamp: 1;         -webkit-box-orient: vertical;         line-height: 1.4;       }        .credentials-small {         max-height: 18px;         width: 110px;         text-overflow: ellipsis;         overflow: hidden;         display: -webkit-box;         -webkit-line-clamp: 1;         -webkit-box-orient: vertical;         line-height: 1.4;       }        [x-cloak] {         display: none;       }     <\/style>      <div class=\"expert-avatars flex overflow-x-scroll overscroll-contain px-2 mb-10 lg:hidden\">                         <div class=\"item text-center mx-3\" @click=\"openExpert('thomas-lee-phd', 'container')\">             <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/rsz_1thomas_lee-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Thomas Lee\" class=\"mt-0 mx-auto mb-3 w-24 h-24 object-cover rounded-full border-white border-4 shadow-xl\">             <div class=\"text-sm leading-4 mb-2 text-black font-medium trim-label\">Thomas Lee PHD <\/div>             <div class=\"text-sm leading-4 mb-2 text-gray-800 trim-label\">Assistant Professor<\/div>           <\/div>                   <div class=\"item text-center mx-3\" @click=\"openExpert('thomas-j-duszynski-mph', 'container')\">             <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/rsz_thomas_duszynski.jpg\" alt=\"Thomas J. Duszynski\" class=\"mt-0 mx-auto mb-3 w-24 h-24 object-cover rounded-full border-white border-4 shadow-xl\">             <div class=\"text-sm leading-4 mb-2 text-black font-medium trim-label\">Thomas J. Duszynski, MPH <\/div>             <div class=\"text-sm leading-4 mb-2 text-gray-800 trim-label\">Lecturer, Epidemiology Education Director<\/div>           <\/div>                   <div class=\"item text-center mx-3\" @click=\"openExpert('hana-akselrod-md-mph', 'container')\">             <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/rsz_hana_akselrod.jpg\" alt=\"Hana Akselrod\" class=\"mt-0 mx-auto mb-3 w-24 h-24 object-cover rounded-full border-white border-4 shadow-xl\">             <div class=\"text-sm leading-4 mb-2 text-black font-medium trim-label\">Hana Akselrod, MD, MPH <\/div>             <div class=\"text-sm leading-4 mb-2 text-gray-800 trim-label\">COVID-19 Lead, GWU Medical Faculty Associates, Assistant Professor, Division of Infectious Diseases<\/div>           <\/div>                   <div class=\"item text-center mx-3\" @click=\"openExpert('david-grace', 'container')\">             <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/rsz_1david-grace-head-shot.jpg\" alt=\"David Grace\" class=\"mt-0 mx-auto mb-3 w-24 h-24 object-cover rounded-full border-white border-4 shadow-xl\">             <div class=\"text-sm leading-4 mb-2 text-black font-medium trim-label\">David Grace <\/div>             <div class=\"text-sm leading-4 mb-2 text-gray-800 trim-label\">Long-time member of The Science Fictions Writers Of America, DavidGraceAuthor.com<\/div>           <\/div>                   <\/div>                     <div           id=\"expert-thomas-lee-phd\"           class=\"mb-10 border border-gray-200 p-4 cursor-pointer lg:block\"           x-bind:class=\"{'lg:border-theme-green block': focusedExpert == 'thomas-lee-phd', 'hidden': focusedExpert != 'thomas-lee-phd'}\"           @click=\"openExpert('thomas-lee-phd', 'expert'); expertIsFocused = true\">            <div             x-bind:class=\"{'items-center': focusedExpert != 'thomas-lee-phd', 'items-start': focusedExpert == 'thomas-lee-phd'}\"             class=\"item mb-4 hidden lg:flex\"             @click=\"openExpert('thomas-lee-phd', 'expert')\">              <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/rsz_1thomas_lee-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Thomas Lee\" class=\"m-0 mr-3 w-16 h-16 object-cover rounded-full lg:w-20 lg:h-20\">              <div>               <div                 x-bind:class=\"{'trim-label': focusedExpert != 'thomas-lee-phd'}\"                 class=\"text-sm leading-5 mb-2 text-black font-medium\">Thomas Lee PHD <\/div>               <div                 x-bind:class=\"{'trim-label': focusedExpert != 'thomas-lee-phd'}\"                 class=\"text-sm leading-5 mb-2 text-gray-800\">Assistant Professor<\/div>               <div                 x-bind:class=\"{'trim-label': focusedExpert != 'thomas-lee-phd'}\"                 class=\"text-gray-600 text-sm\">University of Hawaii, Manoa<\/div>             <\/div>           <\/div>            <div             class=\"hidden lg:block\"             x-bind:class=\"{'lg:hidden': focusedExpert == 'thomas-lee-phd'}\">             <button class=\"flex items-center text-theme-green open-details\" @click=\"openExpert('thomas-lee-phd', 'expert'); expertIsFocused = true\">View Answers <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 20.243 13.501\" class=\"w-4 ml-2\">                 <path data-name=\"Icon ionic-ios-arrow-round-forward\" d=\"M12.909.258a.919.919 0 00-.007 1.294l4.275 4.282H.907a.914.914 0 000 1.828H17.17l-4.275 4.286a.925.925 0 00.007 1.294.91.91 0 001.287-.007l5.794-5.836a1.026 1.026 0 00.19-.288.872.872 0 00.07-.352.916.916 0 00-.26-.64L14.189.283a.9.9 0 00-1.28-.025z\" fill=\"#48a27a\" \/>               <\/svg><\/button>           <\/div>            <div             class=\"details fixed top-0 left-0 bg-white h-screen z-10 overflow-scroll w-screen lg:w-full lg:relative lg:h-auto\"             x-cloak x-show=\"focusedExpert == 'thomas-lee-phd'\"             x-transition:enter=\"transition ease-out duration-100 transform\"             x-transition:enter-start=\"opacity-0 scale-95\"             x-transition:enter-end=\"opacity-100 scale-100\"             x-transition:leave=\"transition ease-in duration-75 transform\"             x-transition:leave-start=\"opacity-100 scale-100\"             x-transition:leave-end=\"opacity-0 scale-95\">              <div class=\"bg-theme-green p-4 mb-4 pb-20 relative text-white lg:bg-white lg:pb-0 lg:text-theme-green lg:mb-8\">               <button class=\"close-details mr-4 mt-2 absolute top-0 left-0 flex items-center ml-4 lg:mt-0 lg:ml-0\" x-on:click.stop=\"closeExpert('thomas-lee-phd')\">                 <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 20.243 13.501\" class=\"w-6 mr-2 fill-current\">                   <path data-name=\"Icon ionic-ios-arrow-round-forward\" d=\"M7.334 13.243a.919.919 0 00.007-1.294L3.066 7.667h16.27a.914.914 0 000-1.828H3.073l4.275-4.286A.925.925 0 007.341.259a.91.91 0 00-1.287.007L.26 6.102a1.026 1.026 0 00-.19.288.872.872 0 00-.07.352.916.916 0 00.26.64l5.794 5.836a.9.9 0 001.28.025z\" \/>                 <\/svg> Close               <\/button>             <\/div>              <div class=\"item text-center px-4 w-full text-center -mt-20 relative z-20 pointer-events-none lg:hidden\">               <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/rsz_1thomas_lee-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Thomas Lee\" class=\"mt-0 mb-3 mx-auto w-32 h-32 object-cover rounded-full border-white border-4 shadow-xl\">               <div class=\"text-base leading-5 mb-2 text-black font-medium\">Thomas Lee PHD <\/div>               <div class=\"text-sm leading-5 mb-2 text-gray-800\">Assistant Professor<\/div>               <div class=\"text-gray-600 text-sm\">University of Hawaii, Manoa<\/div>             <\/div>              <div class=\"px-4 lg:px-0\">               <p><strong>What is the likelihood of a zombie apocalypse actually happening and why?<\/strong><\/p> <p>The likelihood is higher than most would think. With major advances in genetic sequencing, and overall medical technology, the possibility is real. As humans, we will forever push the boundaries and along the way, there will be unintended consequences.<\/p> <p><strong>Movies have taught us that, in order to survive a zombie apocalypse, the living must keep moving. When traveling, how should you prioritize what to pack, who to bring, when to go, etc.?<\/strong><\/p> <p>Pack light and pack your essentials. You need comfortable shoes and clean underwear.<\/p> <p><strong>Where are the best places to seek shelter when on the move?<\/strong><\/p> <p>Places with easy escape avenues and 360 visibility.<\/p> <p><strong>What are the three best weapons against zombies and why those?<\/strong><\/p> <p>Having good cardio, any blunt weapon, or a weighted spear. You need cardio to gain enough space from the horde and to survive. A blunt weapon or weighted spear to slow them down.<\/p> <p><strong>What are your three most important tips for surviving a zombie apocalypse?<\/strong><\/p> <p>Stay calm, always check the entire room before dropping your guard, and learn how to use a map.<\/p>             <\/div>            <\/div>          <\/div>                <div           id=\"expert-thomas-j-duszynski-mph\"           class=\"mb-10 border border-gray-200 p-4 cursor-pointer lg:block\"           x-bind:class=\"{'lg:border-theme-green block': focusedExpert == 'thomas-j-duszynski-mph', 'hidden': focusedExpert != 'thomas-j-duszynski-mph'}\"           @click=\"openExpert('thomas-j-duszynski-mph', 'expert'); expertIsFocused = true\">            <div             x-bind:class=\"{'items-center': focusedExpert != 'thomas-j-duszynski-mph', 'items-start': focusedExpert == 'thomas-j-duszynski-mph'}\"             class=\"item mb-4 hidden lg:flex\"             @click=\"openExpert('thomas-j-duszynski-mph', 'expert')\">              <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/rsz_thomas_duszynski.jpg\" alt=\"Thomas J. Duszynski\" class=\"m-0 mr-3 w-16 h-16 object-cover rounded-full lg:w-20 lg:h-20\">              <div>               <div                 x-bind:class=\"{'trim-label': focusedExpert != 'thomas-j-duszynski-mph'}\"                 class=\"text-sm leading-5 mb-2 text-black font-medium\">Thomas J. Duszynski, MPH <\/div>               <div                 x-bind:class=\"{'trim-label': focusedExpert != 'thomas-j-duszynski-mph'}\"                 class=\"text-sm leading-5 mb-2 text-gray-800\">Lecturer, Epidemiology Education Director<\/div>               <div                 x-bind:class=\"{'trim-label': focusedExpert != 'thomas-j-duszynski-mph'}\"                 class=\"text-gray-600 text-sm\">Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis<\/div>             <\/div>           <\/div>            <div             class=\"hidden lg:block\"             x-bind:class=\"{'lg:hidden': focusedExpert == 'thomas-j-duszynski-mph'}\">             <button class=\"flex items-center text-theme-green open-details\" @click=\"openExpert('thomas-j-duszynski-mph', 'expert'); expertIsFocused = true\">View Answers <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 20.243 13.501\" class=\"w-4 ml-2\">                 <path data-name=\"Icon ionic-ios-arrow-round-forward\" d=\"M12.909.258a.919.919 0 00-.007 1.294l4.275 4.282H.907a.914.914 0 000 1.828H17.17l-4.275 4.286a.925.925 0 00.007 1.294.91.91 0 001.287-.007l5.794-5.836a1.026 1.026 0 00.19-.288.872.872 0 00.07-.352.916.916 0 00-.26-.64L14.189.283a.9.9 0 00-1.28-.025z\" fill=\"#48a27a\" \/>               <\/svg><\/button>           <\/div>            <div             class=\"details fixed top-0 left-0 bg-white h-screen z-10 overflow-scroll w-screen lg:w-full lg:relative lg:h-auto\"             x-cloak x-show=\"focusedExpert == 'thomas-j-duszynski-mph'\"             x-transition:enter=\"transition ease-out duration-100 transform\"             x-transition:enter-start=\"opacity-0 scale-95\"             x-transition:enter-end=\"opacity-100 scale-100\"             x-transition:leave=\"transition ease-in duration-75 transform\"             x-transition:leave-start=\"opacity-100 scale-100\"             x-transition:leave-end=\"opacity-0 scale-95\">              <div class=\"bg-theme-green p-4 mb-4 pb-20 relative text-white lg:bg-white lg:pb-0 lg:text-theme-green lg:mb-8\">               <button class=\"close-details mr-4 mt-2 absolute top-0 left-0 flex items-center ml-4 lg:mt-0 lg:ml-0\" x-on:click.stop=\"closeExpert('thomas-j-duszynski-mph')\">                 <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 20.243 13.501\" class=\"w-6 mr-2 fill-current\">                   <path data-name=\"Icon ionic-ios-arrow-round-forward\" d=\"M7.334 13.243a.919.919 0 00.007-1.294L3.066 7.667h16.27a.914.914 0 000-1.828H3.073l4.275-4.286A.925.925 0 007.341.259a.91.91 0 00-1.287.007L.26 6.102a1.026 1.026 0 00-.19.288.872.872 0 00-.07.352.916.916 0 00.26.64l5.794 5.836a.9.9 0 001.28.025z\" \/>                 <\/svg> Close               <\/button>             <\/div>              <div class=\"item text-center px-4 w-full text-center -mt-20 relative z-20 pointer-events-none lg:hidden\">               <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/rsz_thomas_duszynski.jpg\" alt=\"Thomas J. Duszynski\" class=\"mt-0 mb-3 mx-auto w-32 h-32 object-cover rounded-full border-white border-4 shadow-xl\">               <div class=\"text-base leading-5 mb-2 text-black font-medium\">Thomas J. Duszynski, MPH <\/div>               <div class=\"text-sm leading-5 mb-2 text-gray-800\">Lecturer, Epidemiology Education Director<\/div>               <div class=\"text-gray-600 text-sm\">Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis<\/div>             <\/div>              <div class=\"px-4 lg:px-0\">               <p><strong>What is the likelihood of a zombie apocalypse actually happening and why?<\/strong><\/p> <p>What we think of as zombies are relatively new to American culture and really didn\u2019t evolve into the \u201cHollywood\u201d zombie until George Romero\u2019s 1969 movie \u201cThe Night of the Living Dead\u201d and the zombie craze was born. In the original script, Romero just referred to them as \u201cflesh eaters\u201d and were a metaphor of conformity, racism, militarism, and other social\/societal ills. They were stories about people failing to respond in a proper way, by sticking it out as opposed to recognizing their own limitations.<\/p> <p>With other movies, a music video (Thriller) and a series of events that lead people to believe that something like this could happen, it didn\u2019t immediately grow into the level we see today for some time. The great recession (2008), government shutdowns, floods, fires, Ebola all played a role in the idea of an apocalypse. Much of an actual apocalypse is too scary for people to contemplate.<\/p> <p>Hollywood steps in with the Walking Dead, and other movies and shows to allow a safe place to explore our apocalyptic worries, while in the back of our mind knowing it isn\u2019t real. Real stories of disease, nuclear accidents\/disasters are real, and maybe too much for most people to contemplate. People in general want to explore what it would be like, while they know it isn\u2019t.<\/p> <p>Zombies give people the opportunity to witness the end of humanity, satisfying their curiosity, putting themselves in characters, while allowing themselves to sleep at night because the catalyst of the end is fictional.<\/p> <p>The modern Hollywood Zombies have their origins in the Haitian culture and religion that was transported via slave trades from central and western Africa. However, when exploring other cultures, we find a similar creature in almost every culture or population, throughout history.<\/p> <p>Prior to the acceptance and understanding of germ theory, the limitations of science and the microscope, people needed a means to explain what they were seeing when it came to disease and death. From the Chinese hopping zombie, the English Revenant and the Norse Draugr (translating to \u201cagain walker or ghost\u201d) to the German Nachtzehrer and the Hindu Vetala, were all part of the oral and eventual written tradition of people trying to explain, what they were witnessing in their own population.<\/p> <p>With the development of scientific methods and advancements, these creatures remain part of history, with no scientific facts behind them. While there have been more than 40 new diseases that emerged and reemerged in the human population in the past 50 years, none have caused a zombie to appear and likely won\u2019t. There are certainly mind-altering diseases, some that are infectious, like rabies, but can be easily controlled and managed.<\/p> <p>The likelihood of zombie-like infection is small, especially when you think about it from a sense of what kind of etiological agent would this be? Virus, bacteria, parasite? It would have to come from something that already exists in the world, since we don\u2019t have the ability to create a living organism from nothing. It would have to acquire a mutation, or successive mutations (variants), which means it would have to infect a lot of people to do so and go noticed by science. It would have to be incredibly infectious person to person and would likely not have an animal reservoir to really become a pandemic. So in short\u2026..NO it isn\u2019t likely to happen.<\/p> <p><strong>Movies have taught us that, in order to survive a zombie apocalypse, the living must keep moving. When traveling, how should you prioritize what to pack, who to bring, when to go, etc.?<\/strong><\/p> <p>If there were a fast moving apocalypse, and you have to move from a disaster, you need to think about where you are going and how you are going to get there. If you can drive you can carry a lot more of what you deem as necessities, as opposed to walking (or running), then your perception of necessity will change.<\/p> <p>If you take daily medicines that would likely be something small that you should take as opposed to trying to carry your 60\u201d flatscreen with surround sound. A laptop or tablet would be great, because they are small, but you will also need a place to charge, and need to be kept dry. They also need the internet to be useful. Is that going to exist? If not, then they become paperweights.<\/p> <p>The question of who to bring seems obvious, especially from a public health standpoint. Everyone! We want to save everyone, and we try to save everyone, we want everyone to have the opportunity to survive as long as they can. Unfortunately, in disasters, people get left behind, or get separated and lost, or intentionally don\u2019t want to leave and are lost to the disaster. We see this with hurricanes and with the recent anniversary of the eruption of Mt. St. Helens, of individuals who didn\u2019t want to leave their home and succumbed to the violent eruption.<\/p> <p><strong>Where are the best places to seek shelter when on the move?<\/strong><\/p> <p>Depending on the situation, there are places that people can seek shelter. I often think of when I was a child in elementary school and the tornado shelters in our school were the bathrooms. Of course, boys went to the boy\u2019s bathroom and girls went to the girl\u2019s, and I often thought what would happen in a real tornado and I couldn\u2019t make it to the boy\u2019s bathroom. Would I die because I wasn\u2019t allowed in the girl\u2019s bathroom?<\/p> <p>In today\u2019s world there are shelters that can be stood up quickly to accommodate the movement of people. The more time to prepare and plan, the better the shelter. You would need\/want a place with food, clean water, working toilets and showers and a low population. You would want medical care if needed.<\/p> <p>There is the joke that the best shelter is a Sam\u2019s Club or Costco. They are generally built out of concrete. They have a lot of food, places to sleep, water and you need a membership to get in, which the presumption is that zombies wouldn\u2019t have a membership and be turned away. But thinking about that, would everyone else go there? Then resources become more challenging when everyone is clamoring for them.<\/p> <p>Also, when dealing with an infectious disease-causing agent, the fewer people around you, the less likely disease transmission can occur.<\/p> <p><strong>What are the three best weapons against zombies and why those?<\/strong><\/p> <p><strong>Knowledge, Science, and Reasoning<\/strong> are the best weapons for a zombie apocalypse or any disaster. I know you wanted to know which physical weapon to bring (machete, gun, etc). However, those are short term, last option resources. Arming yourself with knowledge, science, and reasoning is limitless, doesn&#8217;t take any space or weight and can be used in all situations.<\/p> <p>Knowledge of what is happening and how to best protect yourself, and is the core goal of science.<\/p> <p>Science is the process of understanding what is occurring, proven facts, and deterministic relationships. We gain knowledge through science.<br \/> Finally, reasoning, the ability to make decisions based on evidence and ability to read situations that help us to determine what is safe and what isn\u2019t, allowing humanity to survive.<\/p> <p><strong>What are your three most important tips for surviving a zombie apocalypse?<\/strong><\/p> <p>While practically no such etiological agent exists that would render a human into a zombie-like state, we could therefore look at any disaster in a similar light. Global warming allows for a disaster scenario that will affect everyone on the planet, which might mimic a zombie movie. You have to flee your home; you will be on the move with people you don\u2019t know. You won\u2019t have cell phone coverage or even power to charge a device. What would you do?<\/p> <p>First, you need a detailed plan of what to do and where to go, with a backup option or two. What if there was a flash flood that forced you from your home? Where would you go, how would you get there? How would you communicate with your family or friends? Where would you stay? Thinking about it from a practical standpoint, if you can answer these questions, then likely you are already somewhat prepared.<\/p> <p>Second, you have to think about how you would receive information about what is occurring, what is safe, and where to go to travel? Taking that laptop, tablet, or smartphone are great if they can be charged and there is a wifi signal that you can access. However, an FM radio has much more versatility. They are equipped to transmit a signal that has been around for centuries, the radio can have batteries, but they have hand crank radios that you can charge by turning the handle. They are portable and have a wide range of station options as you relocate.<\/p> <p>Third, make a supply kit for quick use. Three days of food and water is generally what is recommended, however in a true disaster you can\u2019t expect the federal, state, or local government to come in and help. The scale would be too great.<\/p> <p>In that kit you also need any medications, and supplies, like a can opener and cooking pots, utensils, matches, flashlights as well as something to occupy your mind, like a deck of cards. Camping supplies are great, they are lightweight, small, store easily, and can be used in a variety of environments. Although, waiting until a disaster occurs to \u201cstock\u201d up is too late, because everyone else will also be trying to do the same.<\/p>             <\/div>            <\/div>          <\/div>                <div           id=\"expert-hana-akselrod-md-mph\"           class=\"mb-10 border border-gray-200 p-4 cursor-pointer lg:block\"           x-bind:class=\"{'lg:border-theme-green block': focusedExpert == 'hana-akselrod-md-mph', 'hidden': focusedExpert != 'hana-akselrod-md-mph'}\"           @click=\"openExpert('hana-akselrod-md-mph', 'expert'); expertIsFocused = true\">            <div             x-bind:class=\"{'items-center': focusedExpert != 'hana-akselrod-md-mph', 'items-start': focusedExpert == 'hana-akselrod-md-mph'}\"             class=\"item mb-4 hidden lg:flex\"             @click=\"openExpert('hana-akselrod-md-mph', 'expert')\">              <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/rsz_hana_akselrod.jpg\" alt=\"Hana Akselrod\" class=\"m-0 mr-3 w-16 h-16 object-cover rounded-full lg:w-20 lg:h-20\">              <div>               <div                 x-bind:class=\"{'trim-label': focusedExpert != 'hana-akselrod-md-mph'}\"                 class=\"text-sm leading-5 mb-2 text-black font-medium\">Hana Akselrod, MD, MPH <\/div>               <div                 x-bind:class=\"{'trim-label': focusedExpert != 'hana-akselrod-md-mph'}\"                 class=\"text-sm leading-5 mb-2 text-gray-800\">COVID-19 Lead, GWU Medical Faculty Associates, Assistant Professor, Division of Infectious Diseases<\/div>               <div                 x-bind:class=\"{'trim-label': focusedExpert != 'hana-akselrod-md-mph'}\"                 class=\"text-gray-600 text-sm\">George Washington University School of Medicine &amp; Health Sciences<\/div>             <\/div>           <\/div>            <div             class=\"hidden lg:block\"             x-bind:class=\"{'lg:hidden': focusedExpert == 'hana-akselrod-md-mph'}\">             <button class=\"flex items-center text-theme-green open-details\" @click=\"openExpert('hana-akselrod-md-mph', 'expert'); expertIsFocused = true\">View Answers <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 20.243 13.501\" class=\"w-4 ml-2\">                 <path data-name=\"Icon ionic-ios-arrow-round-forward\" d=\"M12.909.258a.919.919 0 00-.007 1.294l4.275 4.282H.907a.914.914 0 000 1.828H17.17l-4.275 4.286a.925.925 0 00.007 1.294.91.91 0 001.287-.007l5.794-5.836a1.026 1.026 0 00.19-.288.872.872 0 00.07-.352.916.916 0 00-.26-.64L14.189.283a.9.9 0 00-1.28-.025z\" fill=\"#48a27a\" \/>               <\/svg><\/button>           <\/div>            <div             class=\"details fixed top-0 left-0 bg-white h-screen z-10 overflow-scroll w-screen lg:w-full lg:relative lg:h-auto\"             x-cloak x-show=\"focusedExpert == 'hana-akselrod-md-mph'\"             x-transition:enter=\"transition ease-out duration-100 transform\"             x-transition:enter-start=\"opacity-0 scale-95\"             x-transition:enter-end=\"opacity-100 scale-100\"             x-transition:leave=\"transition ease-in duration-75 transform\"             x-transition:leave-start=\"opacity-100 scale-100\"             x-transition:leave-end=\"opacity-0 scale-95\">              <div class=\"bg-theme-green p-4 mb-4 pb-20 relative text-white lg:bg-white lg:pb-0 lg:text-theme-green lg:mb-8\">               <button class=\"close-details mr-4 mt-2 absolute top-0 left-0 flex items-center ml-4 lg:mt-0 lg:ml-0\" x-on:click.stop=\"closeExpert('hana-akselrod-md-mph')\">                 <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 20.243 13.501\" class=\"w-6 mr-2 fill-current\">                   <path data-name=\"Icon ionic-ios-arrow-round-forward\" d=\"M7.334 13.243a.919.919 0 00.007-1.294L3.066 7.667h16.27a.914.914 0 000-1.828H3.073l4.275-4.286A.925.925 0 007.341.259a.91.91 0 00-1.287.007L.26 6.102a1.026 1.026 0 00-.19.288.872.872 0 00-.07.352.916.916 0 00.26.64l5.794 5.836a.9.9 0 001.28.025z\" \/>                 <\/svg> Close               <\/button>             <\/div>              <div class=\"item text-center px-4 w-full text-center -mt-20 relative z-20 pointer-events-none lg:hidden\">               <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/rsz_hana_akselrod.jpg\" alt=\"Hana Akselrod\" class=\"mt-0 mb-3 mx-auto w-32 h-32 object-cover rounded-full border-white border-4 shadow-xl\">               <div class=\"text-base leading-5 mb-2 text-black font-medium\">Hana Akselrod, MD, MPH <\/div>               <div class=\"text-sm leading-5 mb-2 text-gray-800\">COVID-19 Lead, GWU Medical Faculty Associates, Assistant Professor, Division of Infectious Diseases<\/div>               <div class=\"text-gray-600 text-sm\">George Washington University School of Medicine &amp; Health Sciences<\/div>             <\/div>              <div class=\"px-4 lg:px-0\">               <p><strong>What is the likelihood of a zombie apocalypse actually happening and why? <\/strong><\/p> <p>While it is hard to predict the exact clinical features of a new disease, the unfortunate reality is that a potential zombie pandemic is more likely to happen now or in the coming decades, than at any point in human history up until now.<\/p> <p>Recent decades have seen an acceleration in the emergence of new zoonotic infectious diseases across the world (including COVID-19, Zika, new strains of Ebola, Marburg, and other hemorrhagic fever viruses), as well as the rise of treatment-resistant versions of old foes (such as tuberculosis, malaria, and diarrheal infections).<\/p> <p>Growing human populations, aggressive development of previously wild areas, and human-caused climate change all place unprecedented stress on natural environments, making it more likely that a virus will &#8220;spill over&#8221; from a higher to isolated animal species into domesticated animals and people.<\/p> <p>At the same time, we have become more interconnected than ever by travel, globalized supply chains, and competition for scarce resources, making it far more likely that an outbreak that begins in one part of the world will quickly find susceptible hosts in another.<\/p> <p>The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the many ways in which our society is vulnerable to emergent infectious diseases, from the failure of global governance to the inadequacy of our disease surveillance and response systems, the steep social inequalities that allow infections to fester and mutate, and the malicious agents of misinformation who profit from perpetuating viral transmission.<\/p> <p>Where we go from here in terms of averting the zombie apocalypse is up to us. If we are any kind of intelligent species, we will draw upon the hard-earned lessons of COVID-19 and raise sustainable systems of defense against the emerging disease threats of the future.<\/p> <p><strong>Movies have taught us that, in order to survive a zombie apocalypse, the living must keep moving. When traveling, how should you prioritize what to pack, who to bring, when to go, etc.? <\/strong><\/p> <ul> <li>No matter what kind of disaster you are preparing for, it is prudent to plan for two contingencies: 1) hunkering down, like in case of prowling zombie marauders or a highly contagious respiratory virus spreading through public places, and 2) evacuating rapidly, like in case of a stampeding zombie horde or an approaching wildfire. Plan for both in advance, and choose the most prudent course of action based on changing circumstances and guidance from trusted authorities when the time comes.<\/li> <li>Make sure to keep any prescription medications filled and a reasonable first-aid kit stocked. Include feminine hygiene products (they can double as wound dressings), high-quality masks such as KN95 or N95 (COVID-19 hasn&#8217;t gone away just because there is a zombie pandemic now), and a multivitamin (vitamins C and D and zinc, are important for maintaining a healthy immune system). Know a few reliable recipes you can prepare with limited, long-lasting ingredients (on the move from zombies is not the right time to learn your way around sourdough). Do not take safe drinking water for granted. Get to know options, including filtration, chemical disinfection, ultraviolet light treatment, and boiling (if safe to light a fire without attracting zombie attention), and practice on a camping trip.<\/li> <li>Consider a backup (solar or motion-powered) recharging device for your smartphone \u2014 it will be crucial to communicating, checking up on family members, and conducting televisits with a doctor in case of medical emergency. Keep digital copies of important documents uploaded to a secure cloud location, including your COVID-19 vaccination card.<\/li> <\/ul> <p><strong>Where are the best places to seek shelter when on the move?<\/strong><\/p> <ul> <li>While fleeing zombies during the COVID-19 pandemic, the best shelters offer both an easily defended perimeter and good ventilation. When establishing a base for a large group of refugees, designate a triage area in which you can sequester persons under investigation who were recently exposed to a zombie and might be presymptomatic or whose COVID-19 test results are pending.<\/li> <li>Be aware that extreme weather events are becoming more frequent due to climate change, and conditions in your region may not be what you are used to. Be aware of environmental threats, including wildfires, heavy rainfall, storm surges, and flooding. Avoid walking through flood water \u2014 it may conceal downed wires, partially submerged zombies, and disease-causing bacteria.<\/li> <\/ul> <p><strong>What are the three best weapons against zombies and why those? <\/strong><\/p> <ol> <li>A spear will keep the zombie or COVID-19 carrier six feet away, while a shield can be used to deflect any respiratory secretions flying your way.<\/li> <li>The scientific method is our best weapon against emerging variants, the walking undead, and viral misinformation.<\/li> <li>Cardio, cardio, cardio! Staying in good cardiovascular health will improve your chances against both zombies and severe COVID-19. Getting 30 minutes or more of exercise several times a week is also a natural way to manage the stress of living in a world full of rapidly changing threats.<\/li> <\/ol> <p><strong>What are your three most important tips for surviving a zombie apocalypse?<\/strong><\/p> <ol> <li>Whether you are hunkering down or fleeing, your most important asset will be people who are worthy of your trust. Pick companions who share your risk perception, understand scientific reasoning, can identify misinformation, and are able to defuse stress with humor or kindness. Decide in advance on your meet-up points and protocols to keep out asymptomatic carriers.<\/li> <li>Get vaccinated against COVID-19 and promote vaccination among your close contacts. Oxygen tanks, intravenous remdesivir, and skilled ICU nurses will all be very hard to find after hospitals are overrun by zombies.<\/li> <li>Our best chance of survival in the long term is to understand the root causes that drive the emergence of infectious diseases and to create the systems, policies, and human capital that will keep us safe.<\/li> <\/ol>             <\/div>            <\/div>          <\/div>                <div           id=\"expert-david-grace\"           class=\"mb-10 border border-gray-200 p-4 cursor-pointer lg:block\"           x-bind:class=\"{'lg:border-theme-green block': focusedExpert == 'david-grace', 'hidden': focusedExpert != 'david-grace'}\"           @click=\"openExpert('david-grace', 'expert'); expertIsFocused = true\">            <div             x-bind:class=\"{'items-center': focusedExpert != 'david-grace', 'items-start': focusedExpert == 'david-grace'}\"             class=\"item mb-4 hidden lg:flex\"             @click=\"openExpert('david-grace', 'expert')\">              <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/rsz_1david-grace-head-shot.jpg\" alt=\"David Grace\" class=\"m-0 mr-3 w-16 h-16 object-cover rounded-full lg:w-20 lg:h-20\">              <div>               <div                 x-bind:class=\"{'trim-label': focusedExpert != 'david-grace'}\"                 class=\"text-sm leading-5 mb-2 text-black font-medium\">David Grace <\/div>               <div                 x-bind:class=\"{'trim-label': focusedExpert != 'david-grace'}\"                 class=\"text-sm leading-5 mb-2 text-gray-800\">Long-time member of The Science Fictions Writers Of America, DavidGraceAuthor.com<\/div>               <div                 x-bind:class=\"{'trim-label': focusedExpert != 'david-grace'}\"                 class=\"text-gray-600 text-sm\"><\/div>             <\/div>           <\/div>            <div             class=\"hidden lg:block\"             x-bind:class=\"{'lg:hidden': focusedExpert == 'david-grace'}\">             <button class=\"flex items-center text-theme-green open-details\" @click=\"openExpert('david-grace', 'expert'); expertIsFocused = true\">View Answers <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 20.243 13.501\" class=\"w-4 ml-2\">                 <path data-name=\"Icon ionic-ios-arrow-round-forward\" d=\"M12.909.258a.919.919 0 00-.007 1.294l4.275 4.282H.907a.914.914 0 000 1.828H17.17l-4.275 4.286a.925.925 0 00.007 1.294.91.91 0 001.287-.007l5.794-5.836a1.026 1.026 0 00.19-.288.872.872 0 00.07-.352.916.916 0 00-.26-.64L14.189.283a.9.9 0 00-1.28-.025z\" fill=\"#48a27a\" \/>               <\/svg><\/button>           <\/div>            <div             class=\"details fixed top-0 left-0 bg-white h-screen z-10 overflow-scroll w-screen lg:w-full lg:relative lg:h-auto\"             x-cloak x-show=\"focusedExpert == 'david-grace'\"             x-transition:enter=\"transition ease-out duration-100 transform\"             x-transition:enter-start=\"opacity-0 scale-95\"             x-transition:enter-end=\"opacity-100 scale-100\"             x-transition:leave=\"transition ease-in duration-75 transform\"             x-transition:leave-start=\"opacity-100 scale-100\"             x-transition:leave-end=\"opacity-0 scale-95\">              <div class=\"bg-theme-green p-4 mb-4 pb-20 relative text-white lg:bg-white lg:pb-0 lg:text-theme-green lg:mb-8\">               <button class=\"close-details mr-4 mt-2 absolute top-0 left-0 flex items-center ml-4 lg:mt-0 lg:ml-0\" x-on:click.stop=\"closeExpert('david-grace')\">                 <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 20.243 13.501\" class=\"w-6 mr-2 fill-current\">                   <path data-name=\"Icon ionic-ios-arrow-round-forward\" d=\"M7.334 13.243a.919.919 0 00.007-1.294L3.066 7.667h16.27a.914.914 0 000-1.828H3.073l4.275-4.286A.925.925 0 007.341.259a.91.91 0 00-1.287.007L.26 6.102a1.026 1.026 0 00-.19.288.872.872 0 00-.07.352.916.916 0 00.26.64l5.794 5.836a.9.9 0 001.28.025z\" \/>                 <\/svg> Close               <\/button>             <\/div>              <div class=\"item text-center px-4 w-full text-center -mt-20 relative z-20 pointer-events-none lg:hidden\">               <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/rsz_1david-grace-head-shot.jpg\" alt=\"David Grace\" class=\"mt-0 mb-3 mx-auto w-32 h-32 object-cover rounded-full border-white border-4 shadow-xl\">               <div class=\"text-base leading-5 mb-2 text-black font-medium\">David Grace <\/div>               <div class=\"text-sm leading-5 mb-2 text-gray-800\">Long-time member of The Science Fictions Writers Of America, DavidGraceAuthor.com<\/div>               <div class=\"text-gray-600 text-sm\"><\/div>             <\/div>              <div class=\"px-4 lg:px-0\">               <p><strong>What is the likelihood of a zombie apocalypse actually happening and why?<\/strong><\/p> <p>Yes, the likelihood of a real Zombie Apocalypse is vanishingly small, but pathogens mutate all the time and viruses do jump into humans from other species.<\/p> <p>If there are \u201czombie genes\u201d that induce murderous rage, cannibalistic desires, and insensitivity to pain, then one or all of them could be activated by the right combination of environmental and viral factors.<\/p> <p>Extremely, really, really unlikely, yes. Absolutely impossible? Well, Scientists try to avoid using the \u201cI\u201d word.<\/p> <p>While the probability of a Zombie Apocalypse is incredibly small, highly unlikely weird stuff does happen.<\/p> <p><strong>When traveling, how should you prioritize what to pack, who to bring, when to go, etc.?<\/strong><\/p> <p>Good question. The primary concerns, in order, are:<\/p> <p>Escape;<br \/> Defense;<br \/> Weapons;<br \/> Protection from the elements;<br \/> Food;<br \/> medical materials;<br \/> Reproduction<\/p> <p>Secondary sorting categories are:<br \/> Volume;<br \/> Weight;<br \/> Replaceability;<br \/> Durability<\/p> <p><em>Escape:<\/em> Good shoes, binoculars, sunglasses, camouflage clothing<br \/> <em>Defense:<\/em> Kevlar vest, aluminum or titanium spear<br \/> <em>Weapons:<\/em> short knife, long knife\/sword; hand gun with hollow point bullets, sawed-off shotgun<br \/> <em>Protection:<\/em> Hat, waterproof, warm coat; waterproof ground sheet, thin rubber sleeping mat, mosquito netting<br \/> <em>Food:<\/em> can opener, frying pan, water container, salt, water purifier, fork, book on edible plants<br \/> <em>Medical:<\/em> bandages, iodine, antibiotic pills and cream, needle &amp; thread<br \/> <em>Reproduction:<\/em> condoms<\/p> <p>Who to bring?<\/p> <p>You would want to have a companion who was totally trustworthy, reasonably strong and brave, with lots of common sense and who is physically fit. If your primary goal is survival, then everything beyond that is just personal preference.<\/p> <p>If your goal includes protecting your family or loved ones, then, of course, you\u2019re going to drag along the wife and kids. But at least prepare them in advance by teaching them how to gut and skin a deer.<\/p> <p>When to go?<\/p> <p>Before you leave, you will need to have a better place to go to than the one where you already are. Then you have to ask yourself,<\/p> <p>\u201cWhat are the chances that I can actually get there?\u201d<\/p> <p>If you know of such a place and your chances of reaching it are reasonably high when compared to the risks of remaining where you are, and if the weather there is not materially worse than the weather where you are, then go.<\/p> <p>If not, then stay.<\/p> <p><strong>Where are the best places to seek shelter when on the move?<\/strong><\/p> <p>This is a tough decision. People think of defensible locations like caves, but sites like that are also places where you are easily trapped, and if trapped you will die from lack of food or water.<\/p> <p>So, you want a defensible location with multiple exits and, ideally, access to an ample supply of clean water.<\/p> <p><strong>What are the three best weapons against zombies and why those?<br \/> <\/strong><br \/> First, a long, sharp-pointed spear because with that you will be able to stab the zombies in the eyes while keeping yourself out of their clutches. Dead or undead, they need to see you to effectively attack you. Once you have punctured their eyes then you can move in and kill them with your close-in weapons.<\/p> <p>Second, a long blade such as a sword or machete. A sharp, solid sword will be able to cut off a zombie\u2019s head with one good stroke. Without a head a zombie ceases to be a threat.<\/p> <p>Third, a sawed-off shotgun, or, failing that, a handgun with hollow-point bullets. A bullet to the brain will pretty much eliminate any zombie as a real threat.<\/p> <p>Fourth, a long gun. There may be times when you will need to kill game for food or a zombie from a distance. But, long guns and their ammunition are heavy and bullet supplies are limited so that\u2019s why this is, technically, off the list of the top three.<\/p> <p><strong>What are your three most important tips for surviving a zombie apocalypse?<\/strong><\/p> <p>Watch out for a sharp uptick in mass killings by apparently normal people (again, Steven Paddock types) with no known motive or history of violence. This may be a sign that something is turning one or more of the \u201coff\u201d genes \u201con.\u201d If these events become uncomfortably common, start collecting your survival gear.<\/p> <p>Have an escape and survival plan.<\/p> <p>Give some really smart Scientists at least a seven-figure endowment to research zombie genes and design sprays, ointments, and injections that will return their DNA back to the \u201coff\u201d position should the human race become host to a Zombie Plague.<\/p>             <\/div>            <\/div>          <\/div>              <\/div> <\/div>   <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"methodology\"><span id=\"behind-the-ranking\">Behind the ranking<\/span><\/h2>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">First, we determined the factors (metrics) that are most relevant to rank the Best Cities for Surviving a Zombie Apocalypse. We then assigned a weight to each factor based on its importance and grouped those factors into five categories: Vulnerability, Hideouts, Supplies, Protection, and Mobility. The categories, factors, and their weights are listed in the table below.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For each of the 200 biggest U.S. cities, we then gathered data on each factor from the sources listed below the table.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Finally, we calculated scores (out of 100 points) for each city to determine its rank in each factor, each category, and overall. A city\u2019s Overall Score is the average of its scores across all factors and categories. The highest Overall Score ranked \u201cBest\u201d (No. 1) and the lowest \u201cWorst\u201d (No. 200).&nbsp;<\/p>   <div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle wp-block-ub-content-toggle-block\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-block-98f82864-3fee-4d9e-96be-d57d2037b6f5\" data-mobilecollapse=\"true\" data-desktopcollapse=\"true\" data-preventcollapse=\"false\" data-showonlyone=\"false\"> <div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion\" style=\"border-color: #f1f1f1; border-top-left-radius: 8px; border-top-right-radius: 8px; border-bottom-left-radius: 8px; border-bottom-right-radius: 8px; \" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-block-838f85b9-be54-42de-a4e2-cb81e154aec6\"> \t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title-wrap\" style=\"background-color: #f1f1f1;\" aria-controls=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-0-98f82864-3fee-4d9e-96be-d57d2037b6f5\" tabindex=\"0\"> \t\t\t<p class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title ub-content-toggle-title-98f82864-3fee-4d9e-96be-d57d2037b6f5\" style=\"color: #000000; \">Notes:<\/p> \t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-toggle-wrap right\" style=\"color: #000000;\"><span class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-state-indicator wp-block-ub-chevron-down\"><\/span><\/div> \t\t<\/div> \t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-content-wrap ub-hide\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-0-98f82864-3fee-4d9e-96be-d57d2037b6f5\">  <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>The \u201cWorst\u201d among individual factors may not be No. 200 due to ties.<\/li>    <li>\u201cSupermarkets\u201d include Costco, Sam\u2019s Club, Target, and Walmart.<\/li> <\/ul>  <\/div> \t\t<\/div> <\/div>  <div class=\"infogram-embed\" data-id=\"037958b6-5da8-4ae4-8dee-23c45a4c5923\" data-type=\"interactive\" data-title=\"LL Methodology Table - 2023&amp;#39;s Best Cities for Surviving a Zombie Apocalypse\"><\/div> <p><script>!function(e,n,i,s){var d=\"InfogramEmbeds\",o=e.getElementsByTagName(n)[0];if(window[d]&&window[d].initialized)window[d].process&&window[d].process();else if(!e.getElementById(i)){var t=e.createElement(n);t.async=1,t.id=i,t.src=\"https:\/\/infogram.com\/js\/dist\/embed-loader-min.js\",o.parentNode.insertBefore(t,o)}}(document,\"script\",\"infogram-async\");<\/script><\/p>    <h3 id=\"sources\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Sources<\/h3>    <p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><em>American Hospital Directory, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Costco, Federal Aviation Administration, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Homeland Infrastructure Foundation-Level Data, LawnStarter, Marinas.com, MilitaryBases.com, Realtor.com, Reserve America, RxList, Sam\u2019s Club, Target, U.S. Census Bureau, Walk Score, Walmart, World Port Source, and Yelp&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"final-thoughts\"><span id=\"final-thoughts-zombies-are-among-us\">Final thoughts: Zombies are among us<\/span><\/h2>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">From the first feature-length <a href=\"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/culture\/2023\/07\/28\/culture-re-view-a-history-of-the-first-ever-zombie-film\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">zombie movie<\/a>, \u201cWhite Zombie,\u201d released in 1932, to <a href=\"https:\/\/nerdist.com\/article\/a-guide-to-the-walking-dead-spinoffs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">six spinoff series<\/a> of \u201cThe Walking Dead,\u201d the undead have sustained a rapt and ready audience throughout pop culture for decades.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Zombies have been enchanting rock fans since the \u201960s and will be <a href=\"https:\/\/americansongwriter.com\/the-zombies-reveal-2023-north-american-tour\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">on tour<\/a> in the U.S. this fall. Apocalyptic outbreaks have hit the theater stages in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.twincities.com\/2023\/07\/27\/theater-mu-wraps-a-blockbuster-summer-movie-into-its-blockbuster-kung-fu-zombies-saga\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">St. Paul, Minnesota,<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/preview.houstonchronicle.com\/theater\/review-rec-room-s-put-your-house-in-order-is-17530823\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Houston<\/a> and have reached reality TV with Netflix\u2019s \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2023\/08\/netflix-zombieverse-reality-survival-korea-seoul-1235459292\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Zombieverse<\/a>.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Marvel fans will get to see some of their favorite superheroes fighting zombies in an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fangoria.com\/original\/marvel-zombies-black-white-blood-arrives-this-fall\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">upcoming series<\/a>. You can also try your hand at fighting zombies with video games like the anticipated <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ign.com\/articles\/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-3-reveals-open-world-zombies-mode\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3<\/a> (2023).&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Want to take it to another level? There are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.primalsurvivor.net\/best-survival-schools-usa\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">survival classes<\/a> and camps across the nation helping students prep for the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.zombiesurvivalcamp.com\/\">apocalypse<\/a> (or just learn general survival skills).<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Does your yard look like it was trampled by a mob of zombies? <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/\"><em>Hire a local Lawn Love crew<\/em><\/a><em> to get your lawn and landscape looking lively.<\/em><\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"media-resources\">Media resources<\/h2>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><a href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/drive\/folders\/1KWhf3RtTGvrfRrMEwUdKmeRYJDL_GBgm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">High-resolution image of infographic<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/spreadsheets\/d\/1DAez0eoaXqlbpkyhL553MwV4C0eEHQeRndj6mexkXWs\/edit#gid=0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">High-resolution images of cities<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/infogram.com\/2022s-best-cities-for-surviving-a-zombie-apocalypse-1h8n6m3om37ez4x\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2022\u2019s Best Cities for Surviving a Zombie Apocalypse ranking results<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/infogram.com\/surviving-zombie-apocalypse-1hzj4o3jdmkvo4p?live\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2021\u2019s Best Cities for Surviving a Zombie Apocalypse ranking results<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>    <p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Main photo credit: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.istockphoto.com\/photo\/two-terrified-managers-waiting-for-zombies-gm1323172414-408912068\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">iStock<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Is your city prepared or perishing in the event of a zombie outbreak? Read 2023\u2019s Best Cities for Surviving a Zombie Apocalypse. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":11568,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[169],"tags":[348],"class_list":["post-4535","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-studies","tag-studies"],"acf":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/iStock-1323172414-1-1.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"Sav Maive","author_link":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/author\/sav-maive\/"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4535","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/16"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4535"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4535\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11568"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4535"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4535"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4535"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}