New strain of flu in Mexico and parts of the U.S.

[Medusa]

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.

[Puckstop31]

Hey - I'll drink to that.

However, I am also a firm believer that ignorance is NOT bliss !

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.

[Puckstop31]

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.

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.

[smokey the elder]

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.

[carole]

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.

[Husky_mom]

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

[carole]

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.