[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmPhw01MuBw&feature=player_embedded]
The CDC has used the zombie meme as a clever way to coax Americans into preparing for disasters of any kind: The Zombie Pandemic Checklist will get you ready for just about any natural or manmade catastrophe. Hardware stores have also been highlighting the need to stock up in anticipation of zombie attacks—and boost sales while they’re at it—via Zombie Preparedness Center marketing efforts. A group of hardware stores in Nebraska even added “zombies” to the list of specialties on its website last year. Among the sample questions on the web page, which appears to have since been taken down: “A zombie fell and put a hole in my drywall. What tools will I need to fix this?” If devoting one section of a store to zombie preparedness isn’t enough, there’s the Zombie Apocalypse Store, which is outfitted with all your post-apocalypse food, fashion, and gear needs. It opened last year in (where else?) Las Vegas.