They were saying on the news yesterday that that flu shot probably won't protect anyone. It was not for this strain of the flu. :( and it only protects for a few months anyway. :(:(Quote:
Originally Posted by Edwina's Secretary
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They were saying on the news yesterday that that flu shot probably won't protect anyone. It was not for this strain of the flu. :( and it only protects for a few months anyway. :(:(Quote:
Originally Posted by Edwina's Secretary
I heard there are 96 cases in NZ, that is way too many for my liking, however on the positive side those who have had it, were mild cases and have recovered well, so that is always good news.
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Originally Posted by WHO
Thanks for posting that Blue, not what i heard on the tv this morning, but maybe i got it wrong, sure hope so, well there are only 3 confirmed lab cases here, phew I like those odds a lot better, hope it stays that way, perhaps the others are just not confirmed yet, will watch the news tonight for an update,hope everyone is well.
The Media is hoping to drive panick to boost their ratings. "Never waste a good crisis".Quote:
Originally Posted by carole
I really don't think that's the case. From what I've seen, they are only reporting announcements as given by officials, and don't appear to be sensationalizing the issue. I'd rather be informed, than not!Quote:
Originally Posted by blue
I get blue's point, though. I read that 250,000 - 500,000 people contract seasonal flu every year. How many of those result in death, I don't know, but the number of cases are much higher than this swine flu that's currently being reported.
True, but I think there's a lot of concern since there is no vaccine for it yet, as there is for other flu strains.Quote:
Originally Posted by Medusa
I know, it really is rather scary. However, back in the 70's when the swine flu was supposed to have hit us hard, they told us to get vaccinated but there wasn't a vaccine for it back then either. I'm keeping an eye on it and I'm even fussier than usual now about physical contact w/people but what else can we do? The one point that I wish more people would take to heart is when you're sick, stay home. I can't tell you how many times my nail tech is sneezing and coughing and she's holding my hands while she works on my nails. I've asked her why she didn't stay home and she said that she needs the money. I understand that, truly; I'm not independently wealthy but missing a couple days of work won't send her into bankruptcy but if this flu is deadly, it could prevent deaths if she stayed home.Quote:
Originally Posted by pomtzu
IIRC, I read somewhere that about 36,000 people die each year in the US from the flu. Often the flu itself is not the killer, but the complications that develop from it. Also, again IIRC, most of the people who die from the flu and/or complications from it are older, very young or have compromised immune systems. For instance, a AIDS patient who contracts the flu has a much higher chance of dying from it. Does that count as a AIDS or flu death?
Personally, I do not think it is an accident that the media is going ape over this and, IMO, blowing it WAY out of proportion. Further, we should keep a watchful eye on Big Nanny. They never want a "good" crisis to go to waste ya know. LOL
Did anybody notice that because of this "crisis", Kathleen Sebelius's confirmation was rushed through? Even though Health and Human Services (as Unconstitutional as it is...) was handling things fine.
Perhaps someone was enchanted w/her.Quote:
Originally Posted by Puckstop31
Gotta disagree with you on this one Puck!Quote:
Originally Posted by Puckstop31
Personally, I don't see where it's being blown out of proportion. I feel we are being informed, and since NOBODY had a flu shot that would be effective against this since no vaccine exists for this strain, then we need to be informed. I don't think anyone has pushed any panic button - do you? First of all, what most people think of as the regular flu season has passed, therefore they might be more lax in the preventative measures they would normally take, and be potentially more susceptible. Of course folks should practice sensible preventatives year round, but does that happen? I don't think so. At least with the reporting of this outbreak, they might be a little more cautious. And I agree - most flu deaths probably aren't from the flu itself - but if you can avoid the flu in the first place - then your odds of survival are greater, aren't they?
I am "older" and also have a compromised immune system, so IF I should be so unfortunate to get it, it would probably be a lot more serious than if YOU got it. I'm not in any kind of panic, and I'm not going to lock myself in my house and not go anywhere, but I do appreciate knowing what's happening around me. It's just common sense that the public should be informed without causing undue alarm, and that's all I'm seeing so far.
Actually in this case, Puckstop is more at risk than you. It is not the usual flu where people who are very young, old, or have compromised immune systems are at risk. It is people in the 20-40 age range - those with good, strong immune systems. WIth this flu, the danger is that it provokes such a strong response from the a healthy immune system that everything gets inflamed, and that's the danger - fluid building up, pneumonia and death.
That is one of the reasons the World Health Organization is so very concerned, as that is a population society needs - to take of the ones at the other ends of the spectrum!
And we all, who have watched journalism for any time know - if it bleed, it leads. Nothing is quite as exciting and newsworthy as possible death!
Agreed... That and the sensational stories like the Octomom and the Craigslist murderer. :rolleyes: I am not minimizing this flu, but am not impressed with the way it is being reported.Quote:
Originally Posted by Karen
Pom, Karen.... I hear ya.
Just be wary as to what is actually done to "protect" us. You know me and how I roll. LOL
As for me personally... What will be, will be. I'll just keep living my life the way I am lead by the Lord. When my time comes, I am ready.
Amen! ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Puckstop31
Thanks anyway, but I really don't have the time or desire to seek out everything that is being reported. :rolleyes:Quote:
Originally Posted by blue
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Originally Posted by blue
Thanx, blue. I bookmarked both links. Great to have. :)
Hey - I'll drink to that.Quote:
Originally Posted by Puckstop31
However, I am also a firm believer that ignorance is NOT bliss ! ;)
I second that, Ellie. A late friend of mine used to drive really fast and w/out a seat belt and she'd say "God will protect me". I told her that God gives us common sense, too, and that she'd better start using it. I think it's good to be informed about the swine flu and anything else that affects our lives but to be overly concerned at this point is unwise.Quote:
Originally Posted by pomtzu
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Originally Posted by pomtzu
Quite. :)
No problems, of course, with being in the know. I just fear ANY time Big Nanny comes trying to "save" us from the next big evil.
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Originally Posted by Medusa
Good analogy. LOL
Its like that famous story about the guy on his roof in a flood.... The water is rising and a boat comes to help him. "No thanks, God will save me." Next, a helicopter comes. "No thanks, God will save me." He eventually drowns. Standing before his Creator, he says, "Lord, why did you not save me?" God says, "I sent you a boat and a helicopter....."
:)
Things can be done to help us. Things should be done to help contain whatever this bug ends up being. We just need to be wary as to WHAT is done to keep us "safe". Further, I am not saying that anything WILL be done that is out of line (IMO) during this event. But anymore, my "spidey sense" goes all tingly when a "emergency" happens. Because "you can't let a good crisis go to waste."
War and the moral equivilant of war has been the tool despots have used for millenia to control people and take away their God given liberty. So just keep on living and keep your eyes and ears open.
People can minimize their own individual risks by taking the precautions outlined (ooh, personal responsibility!) At least for now (strictly IMO), the only difference between this flu's spreading pattern and the garden variety winter strains is the timing. This flu is coming at the tag end of the "usual" Northern Hemisphere flu season. It's too early to tell if it's more, less or approximately as dangerous (from a statistical standpoint) as the "garden variety" flu.
It is tempting to consider that the virus mutated in that little Mexican boy they are calling "patient zero". I guess he lives near a pig farm, but the animals tested negative for the particular strain. So he either "grew" it inside him, or got it from somewhere else.
The big difference between now and the swine flu scare of the 70s is there is a good test to determine the presence of the particular H1N1 or whatever strain this one is.
yes well there are certainly more than 3 cases in NZ, I saw it briefly last night, but missed the actual numbers, i guess it is spreading, however we are taking all the precautions necessary here,so i am pleased to see that,many people are in isolation.
I also remember the big scare with bird flu, but then it never reached NZ, where as it has with the swine flu.
I think we all have to take responsibility for ourselves and take the precautions we can, i have made sure my daughter has one of those bottles of antibacterial hand washes that you can use without water in her school bag, mind you i probably should have done it way before now.
Here's hoping we can contain this nasty virus before it gets well out of hand.
ok.. I´m back... almost.. hehe...
schools are still closed till monday... up here we´ve had so far just 4 confirmed cases but no deaths... hubby came and was ok... he left today... i came to my parents to update a lil...;)
here there were only a few places closed due to it... as opposed to Mexico city.. where only universities will open tomorrow... and some resturants as well as some public places.. but with a few restrictions... between each people there must be a minumum of 2mts... LOl.. yeah right.. so if you want to go to the molvies you have to leave like 2-3 seats to each side front, back and sides...
and preschools and elementary.. will open till monday... so I´m stuck off work... I can go out and such... taking precautions but no need to panic... at all... so I´ll try to log in any chance I come back down here... and if not until monday I´ll be back to normal logging mode ;)
Thanks for checking in, glad you are safe and well, fingers and all paws crossed here you and your family,friends will continue to be well., take care.:love: