Oh Goody, Another Pandemic!

[TygerTyger]

I had Sky News on this morning whilst getting ready for work and up popped the story about the swine flu outbreak in Mexico. Now this is a serious story, people have died and the disease looks likes it might be spreading but there's a problem - the British media!

Last year we had all the scare stories concerning bird flu, the pandemic that was going to visit death on humanity in biblical proportions - be afraid, be very afraid! For some reason the media cannot resist turning what should be a factual news report into a melodrama. In fact the reporters seem more concerned in winning an award for acting than delivering useful information for public consumption.

In this morning's report there were some pertinent facts to be had, such as the plans to make a vaccine available, the targetted use of antibiotics to fight the secondary infections, such as pneumonia, which are what actually kill people in most cases, and the identification of the most vulnerable groups, young adults. All this was buried under a slow talking, serious toned, deeply despondent reporter who had a death fixation illustrated by several references to the 1918 Spanish Flu outbreak.

The bird flu threat was real and serious and done to death by over-excited doom and gloom merchants in the media and the signs are that Swine Flu will receive exactly the same irresponsible treatment. I fear that the general population will quickly switch off to this story remembering just how over-exaggerated the media made things last time around.

[ignescentphoenix]

Yes, Im a little worried. I will definitely be keeping an eye on the situation.

[spiral]

It hasn't been too bad here, I hadn't even heard of any deaths actually...

[LostSheep]

Yes, it's the latest government-promoted panic.

Still, I heard someone say on the news (I don't watch the news, I just heard it in passing) that the head of The Department of Homeland Security had been giving out expert advice in the U of S. What on earth does it have they do with them? Is it another terrorist plot or something? Heavens, get a sense of proportion, do.

[TygerTyger]

Yes, it's the latest government-promoted panic.

Still, I heard someone say on the news (I don't watch the news, I just heard it in passing) that the head of The Department of Homeland Security had been giving out expert advice in the U of S. What on earth does it have they do with them? Is it another terrorist plot or something? Heavens, get a sense of proportion, do.

The pigs are plotting to take over the world!

It's Animal Farm for real - even the sheep won't be safe!

Must go and e-mail Sky News - the people have a right to know (and I might win an award)!

:bolt:

[Arianne Weaver]

I agree wholeheartedly. There are precautions people can take, and surely it's these which ought to be the news.
I do find it worrying to some extent, though, as these days diseases can travel the world so fast. We in the developed world can feel quietly confident, while people in countries with less available health care could have serios problems. However, the areas with less health care will possibly have less people in and out....

[Cindlady2]

Ummm.... paranoid or not.... a case was just reported in Milwaukee, WI. About 30 miles from us. The man had just come from Mexico.:awwman::awilly:

[Laoghaire]

Cindylady, the same here... France has reported of one infected man, and France is damn close to Belgium.

I'm utterly scared that the British government might decide to close the borders to Europe by the end of the week. I want my Stormbeard here then!

[TygerTyger]

Ummm.... paranoid or not.... a case was just reported in Milwaukee, WI. About 30 miles from us. The man had just come from Mexico.:awwman::awilly:

That is one of the problems created by the kind of media that I am complaining about. The obsession is with the sensational aspect of the story and pursuing the extreme possiblilty with little regard to the public atmosphere that they then create.

The reality is more mundane and Pig Flu will probably turn out to be no more catastrphic than bird flu was in relation to the way both diseases are being reported. As for the disease spreading we fortuantely live in a time when pigs don't fly and border control can be more effectively managed than with Bird Flu.

Britain appears to have already begun work to identify people travelling to and from Mexico with a view to giving them adivce and, if necessary, drugs. Most countries can do the same.

From what I have read so far the Pig Flu itself is not lethal, however its' impact on the human immune system is significant enough to make an infected person at risk of developing secondary infections, such as pneumonia, and it is this development that can prove fatal without proper medical care.

[ignescentphoenix]

That is one of the problems created by the kind of media that I am complaining about. The obsession is with the sensational aspect of the story and pursuing the extreme possiblilty with little regard to the public atmosphere that they then create.

Normally I would agree with you, but I like that they are covering this. There is like 103 cases in Mexico, 20 of which have become fatalities. Some of these victims were in their early 20's to early 30's. Although, I think the media is just a tool that the government uses to misinform and to control the population. I also wouldn't be suprised if the government actually created this lethal strain. That is an entirely different conversation. *adjusts tinfoil hat for better reception*


The reality is more mundane and Pig Flu will probably turn out to be no more catastrphic than bird flu was in relation to the way both diseases are being reported. As for the disease spreading we fortuantely live in a time when pigs don't fly and border control can be more effectively managed than with Bird Flu.

I don't know. It is reminding me of the 1918 spanish flu pandemic. If the pig flu gets more easily transmittable to birds or humans, this could get bad. If the strain mutates into something even more deadlier, then it is going to be even worse. Even if you yourself aren't sick, you still don't want to be caught up in it. Society could collapse for a little while. I suggest everyone stock up on food and water, if you haven't already.


Britain appears to have already begun work to identify people travelling to and from Mexico with a view to giving them adivce and, if necessary, drugs. Most countries can do the same.

Yes, alot of countries are taking similar steps.


From what I have read so far the Pig Flu itself is not lethal, however its' impact on the human immune system is significant enough to make an infected person at risk of developing secondary infections, such as pneumonia, and it is this development that can prove fatal without proper medical care.


If this strain takes the best of avian flu(deadly) and swine flu(easier transmission between humans), this could get really bad.


http://news.aol.com/article/school-flu-test/445903?icid=main|main|dl1|link3|http%3A%2F%2Fnews.aol.com%2Farticle%2Fschool-flu-test%2F445903

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_flu

[Morgaine_cla]

Greetings,

A few short months ago, one of the top US pharmaceutical companies was busted trying to sell vaccines infected with Bird Flu to Western Europe (see BBC News's archives for details)... How does that happen accidentally? Now a mysterious, never-before-seen flu-like virus has surfaced in Mexico, about which scientists know little to nothing, yet world leaders already *know* that it's likely to become a pandemic. How do they know?... And let's not forget that the the Bush administration granted the US military the right to conduct chemical and biological tests on civilians without even informing us. In which case, how can we trust the safety of the vaccines that may soon be forced upon us?...

Call me paranoid, but I find these coincidental timing of these events fairly suspicious. What I would like to see someone investigate and report is whether this is an engineered epidemic, created to profit the big pharmaceuticals and the health insurance medical professions, and if so, who engineered it and under whose authority? The fact that there is something very *different* about this flu has already been stressed, even before scientists purportedly know anything about it. I think we should know exactly who is doing this, and why, and I think they should be made accountable for their actions. If they get away with it this time, it will happen again.

In contemplation...

[ignescentphoenix]

^ You are a smart cookie. :smile:

[TygerTyger]

There is always a possiblity that any highly contagious disease can develop to become a major health scare, reflected by the number of 'if's' in your post. I have no problem with that. The counter-argument is, of course, that none of those things will happen and the disease will simply disappear again.

Both eventuallities are genuine posibilities.

With regards to Bird Flu the latter is exactly what happened despite the media's 'doomsday' approach to reporting it. In fact the overkill by the media seemed to generate a rather apathetic response after awhile, I think people had simply been overexposed to the sensationalism and come to realise that the story had been over-hyped so they stopped trusting the media. The potential for Bird Flu to become a pandemic never went away, but people's concern did.

The media (in Britain at least) are once again taking exactly the same course with early stories skimming over the facts and concentrating on the more lurid possibilities. They are creating a climate of fear and uninformed reaction, which is not serving the public need.

A rational perspective is simply not being applied.

[LostSheep]

I read somewhere today that it seems to be fatal in about 6% of cases. That seems to be 6% of people who catch it, not 6% of everyone. Should we be terrified? How does that compare with any other disease you could name off the top of your head?

[Morgaine_cla]

Greetings, Tyger,

Generally, when you stop watching what "authorities" are doing, they start doing things you'd rather not think about. All I am saying is that we can't afford not to look at the fact that there is a lot of profit to be made from people getting and being sick. There is even profit to be made from people dying, though admittedly this is a less desirable outcome from a corporate perspective, since it ends self-generating profit. There is a whole industry built on this in the US. It is not fiction. So why should the profit stop at our borders?...

Lost Sheep, I agree with you that there is no point being terrified -- whatever the statistics say. In fact, the higher the kill rate the less sensible it is to be afraid, since that only undermines your immune system. I think the thing for supporters of traditional medicine to remember is this: It is not germs that make you sick. If it were, you would be sick all the time. It's being out of balance that makes you sick... and being in balance is, ultimately, within our control.

Many blessings! Thanks for posting.

[TygerTyger]

Greetings, Tyger,

Generally, when you stop watching what "authorities" are doing, they start doing things you'd rather not think about. All I am saying is that we can't afford not to look at the fact that there is a lot of profit to be made from people getting and being sick. There is even profit to be made from people dying, though admittedly this is a less desirable outcome from a corporate perspective, since it ends self-generating profit. There is a whole industry built on this in the US. It is not fiction. So why should the profit stop at our borders?...

Lost Sheep, I agree with you that there is no point being terrified -- whatever the statistics say. In fact, the higher the kill rate the less sensible it is to be afraid, since that only undermines your immune system. I think the thing for supporters of traditional medicine to remember is this: It is not germs that make you sick. If it were, you would be sick all the time. It's being out of balance that makes you sick... and being in balance is, ultimately, within our control.

Many blessings! Thanks for posting.


And greetings to you fair Morgaine!

You are approaching this thread from a very diferent angle to me, which is fine because you've raised some interesting points. In fact, although I'm not a big fan of conspiracy theories, you did make me wonder if the media's over the top response in the way it reports such things as Pig Flu might possibly work as a smokescreem, that is, people get so panicked by it, as Sheep comments, that they stop looking at the facts and only respond to the fear?

The Secretary of State for Health, Alan Johnson MP, has stated that a pharmaceutical firm has already been contracted to supply a vaccine! Apparently this has been paid for and it only awaits medical scientists to develop it in response to the new strain of flu. Call me paranoid but that is either an amazing piece of forward thinking - and this is the British governmetn we are talking about here - or an incredible piece of good fortune!!

[ignescentphoenix]

There is always a possiblity that any highly contagious disease can develop to become a major health scare, reflected by the number of 'if's' in your post. I have no problem with that. The counter-argument is, of course, that none of those things will happen and the disease will simply disappear again.

Both eventuallities are genuine posibilities.

With regards to Bird Flu the latter is exactly what happened despite the media's 'doomsday' approach to reporting it. In fact the overkill by the media seemed to generate a rather apathetic response after awhile, I think people had simply been overexposed to the sensationalism and come to realise that the story had been over-hyped so they stopped trusting the media. The potential for Bird Flu to become a pandemic never went away, but people's concern did.

The media (in Britain at least) are once again taking exactly the same course with early stories skimming over the facts and concentrating on the more lurid possibilities. They are creating a climate of fear and uninformed reaction, which is not serving the public need.

A rational perspective is simply not being applied.

I don't know what to think. There are alot of countries with confirmed swine flu cases and many more with suspected cases. Let me go and find all the countries.


I read somewhere today that it seems to be fatal in about 6% of cases. That seems to be 6% of people who catch it, not 6% of everyone. Should we be terrified? How does that compare with any other disease you could name off the top of your head?

Now imagine that 50% of the world's population gets sick. Thats 3% of the world dead right of the bat. Then you have to add in the deaths from the resulting civil unrest. According to wikipedia the 1918 spanish flu pandemic killed 25 million people in the first 25 weeks. Compared to AIDS, which killed 25 million people in 25 years.

[SphinYote]

Greetings,

A few short months ago, one of the top US pharmaceutical companies was busted trying to sell vaccines infected with Bird Flu to Western Europe (see BBC News's archives for details)... How does that happen accidentally? Now a mysterious, never-before-seen flu-like virus has surfaced in Mexico, about which scientists know little to nothing, yet world leaders already *know* that it's likely to become a pandemic. How do they know?... And let's not forget that the the Bush administration granted the US military the right to conduct chemical and biological tests on civilians without even informing us. In which case, how can we trust the safety of the vaccines that may soon be forced upon us?...

Call me paranoid, but I find these coincidental timing of these events fairly suspicious. What I would like to see someone investigate and report is whether this is an engineered epidemic, created to profit the big pharmaceuticals and the health insurance medical professions, and if so, who engineered it and under whose authority? The fact that there is something very *different* about this flu has already been stressed, even before scientists purportedly know anything about it. I think we should know exactly who is doing this, and why, and I think they should be made accountable for their actions. If they get away with it this time, it will happen again.

In contemplation...


In the article I read, the genetic material was from several different species, which is common. But what they said was that the specific genetic strains had never been seen together before.

Which means that in all the testing on the previous strains, these had not been found together.

Which means it seems to have appeared out of nowhere, with no development over time.

I'm thinking something engineered, if the article I read was accurate. Whether deliberately released or not.

It is very unlikely that the combination would have appeared out of nowhere, with no previous development observed.

Yote

[Stormbeard]

Cindylady, the same here... France has reported of one infected man, and France is damn close to Belgium.

I'm utterly scared that the British government might decide to close the borders to Europe by the end of the week. I want my Stormbeard here then!
I'll swim with my bike in my teeth.

[TygerTyger]

I'll swim with my bike in my teeth.

Steal a boat...one big enough for your bike obviously!

:thumbsup:

[LostSheep]

I don't know what to think. There are alot of countries with confirmed swine flu cases and many more with suspected cases. Let me go and find all the countries.



Now imagine that 50% of the world's population gets sick. Thats 3% of the world dead right of the bat. Then you have to add in the deaths from the resulting civil unrest. According to wikipedia the 1918 spanish flu pandemic killed 25 million people in the first 25 weeks. Compared to AIDS, which killed 25 million people in 25 years.

If there was civil unrest post WWI, it was because of all the social and political upheavals as a result of the war. The Russian revolution and the surrender of Germany and all that ensued had already happened or were inevitable by then. The ordinary people just got on with their lives as they always had. In any case, this will, of course, be in the news for two or three weeks and then fade away, like they always do.

[Stormbeard]

Steal a boat...one big enough for your bike obviously!

:thumbsup:
I'll take a deep breath and just drive it, full throttle.

[ignescentphoenix]

If there was civil unrest post WWI, it was because of all the social and political upheavals as a result of the war. The Russian revolution and the surrender of Germany and all that ensued had already happened or were inevitable by then. The ordinary people just got on with their lives as they always had. In any case, this will, of course, be in the news for two or three weeks and then fade away, like they always do.

If this strain turns pandemic, what do you think is going to happen? Do you think that you are just going to be able to shop and go about your life as usual? People back then were way more self-sufficient then they are now. Even a lot of city dwellers owned some livestock at the time. Today, we rely on grocery stores.

Yeah, because no ordinary people back then got killed by the flu.:smileroll

Seriously though, there is a good chance that this will all blow over and things will return to normal. Im not a gambler, so I will prepare for the worst case scenario. If it doesn't happen, excellent. If it does happen, at least I won't starve.

Who here has a week worth of food and water? Two weeks? Two months? A year?

Having emergency supplies is just good sense, for any disaster.

[Meadhbh]

I agree the last thing we need to do is panic. While people are dying the death toll hasn't been that many. Like some on else has said something like 6%, which strictly speaking isn't that high. Just take some procautions, right now if people panic it'll make the situation worse.

[evergreen]

Anybody know the symptoms of swine flu? I live in Texas, not near the Mexican border, but near enough. I've come down with some sort of bug, not sure if it's a regular cold/flu or not.

I'd look up symptoms myself, but I think I just might go crawl back into my bed...

[TheWomanMonster]

It's not a pandemic (http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2009/04/24/f-fluprep.html) (yet?)
Technically according to WHO and Canadian Health Agency (http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/cpip-pclcpi/index-eng.php) standards it is only a "pandemic alert with no or limited human-to-human transmission" - until this virus is transmitting more readily and consistently severe it's not going to be classed as a pandemic.

[gillian_greenleaf]

From what I have read so far the Pig Flu itself is not lethal, however its' impact on the human immune system is significant enough to make an infected person at risk of developing secondary infections, such as pneumonia, and it is this development that can prove fatal without proper medical care.

While I agree that the media is being needlessly melodramatic, over 100 people have died in Mexico, so it is lethal. People have never died from the influenza itself. It is always the secondary complications. This is the same.

Also of concern, is that it is not the young and old dying (the normal individuals who die from seasonal influenza). It is people between 25 and 50. That is unusual.

There is no need for hysteria, but caution does seem to be advised to me as it continues to spread around the country and world. I've been watching this since Thursday when it was a couple of people, and now in 4 days, it's 40 in the US with nearing 2000 in Mexico and it is around the world.

[gillian_greenleaf]

Anybody know the symptoms of swine flu? I live in Texas, not near the Mexican border, but near enough. I've come down with some sort of bug, not sure if it's a regular cold/flu or not.

I'd look up symptoms myself, but I think I just might go crawl back into my bed...

Just the regular influenza symptoms -- fever, achiness, upper respiratory troubles. The kind you take a pain reliever and drink lots of liquids for. Here's a link that talks about symptoms and treatment. http://www.ny1.com/content/ny1_living/98026/swine-flu--symptoms-and-treatment/Default.aspx

Hope you feel better soon!

[TygerTyger]

I was only concerned with the way in which the media, particularly Britain was reporting (badly) this outbreak. Ben Gruagach has started a thread about the Swine Flu itself so to avoid unnecessary repetition have a look it here

http://mysticwicks.com/showthread.php?t=213840

[aluokaloo]

i doubt its some government propaganda/based thing. though its no small wonder why diseases travel all over the place. humans travel the world like its nothing these days. hopefully no one in my family will get it. no reason not to be cautious though and to simply keep an eye out on symptoms of yourself and your loved ones. bah. stupid swine flu! the whole SARS thing blew over, all pandemics or outbreaks do sooner or later, I'm not too worried yet.

[Stormbeard]

Everyone needs to head for Boulder, Colorado and seek out Mother Abigail.

[SphinYote]

Hmmm. Well if this had been a bit worse, we might just have had our pandemic:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090427/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/lt_mexico_earthquake

[CameraGirl]

I'm not at all worried. It's just the news/media trying to scare us into paranoia. Yet again.

[Laoghaire]

Actually, quite fascinating, the media is even screaming out the wrong word... A friend of mine has a friend who's a doctor. According to the medical world, there is ONLY a pandemic when nothing can be done about it. On other words, when you die because of the disease, no matter what. For this Mexican/swine flu, there is perfect medication.

Of course, it would be a pandemic in the poor parts of the world... But we are not there (yet).

[aluokaloo]

http://www.ehow.com/how_4932737_recognize-swine-influenza-flu-symptoms.html

here's something about how to recognize swine flu for those interested. Nobody's died yet in the US so thats good and from what I understand people are stockpiling on medication for this crap.

[Stormbeard]

If it's only pigs getting sick, why are we worried?

[Xander67]

I'm not at all worried. It's just the news/media trying to scare us into paranoia. Yet again.

no, The world health organization is moving the threat level up to level 4 from 3. outbreak to pandemic.

as of 11:05pm their have been 5 new "probable" cases in my state, one in PA, and now it looks like it is very likely to be declared a Pandemic.

This is one time that the media is not trying to scare us, it is real.
The scary thing is there is no vaccine for this strain. And it is transferrable human to human now.

the health organization is advising to wash your hands, and not to kiss your friends hello. Avoid contact with people you know of who recently have been in the affected areas, (states where the cases were reported)

[Xander67]

If it's only pigs getting sick, why are we worried?

it is not pigs now, it is being transfered human to human.

[Xander67]

On other words, when you die because of the disease, no matter what. For this Mexican/swine flu, there is perfect medication.

Of course, it would be a pandemic in the poor parts of the world... But we are not there (yet).

actually this particular strain has no vaccine and the world health organization says it would take months to make one.

Q: Is there a vaccine to prevent this new infection?

A: No. And CDC's initial testing suggests that last winter's flu shot didn't offer any cross-protection.

Q: How long would it take to produce a vaccine?

A: A few months. The CDC has created what's called "seed stock" of the new virus that manufacturers would need to start production. But the government hasn't yet decided if the outbreak is bad enough to order that.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090427/ap_on_he_me/med_healthbeat_swine_flu_q_a;_ylt=Angptxy11k.HsADxf.CrsIha24cA;_ylu=X3oDMTJ2ODMzYW5rBGFzc2V0A2FwLzIw MDkwNDI3L21lZF9oZWFsdGhiZWF0X3N3aW5lX2ZsdV9xX2EEY3BvcwMyBHBvcwMyBHNlYwN5bl90b3Bfc3RvcmllcwRzbGsDd2hh dHlvdW5lZWR0
Yes, there are treatments and medications but currently there is no vaccine.. and the medication they do have is not perfect because now it is being transmitted human to human.

Q: Is swine flu treatable?

A: Yes, with the flu drugs Tamiflu or Relenza, but not with two older flu medications.

Q: Is there enough?

A: Yes. The federal government has stockpiled enough of the drugs to treat 50 million people, and many states have additional stocks. As a precaution, the CDC has shipped a quarter of that supply to the states to keep on hand just in case the virus starts spreading more than it has so far.

Q: Should I take Tamiflu as a precaution if I'm not sick yet?

A: No. "What are you going to do with it, use it when you get a sniffle?" asks Dr. Marc Siegel of New York University Langone Medical Center and author of "Bird Flu: Everything you Need To Know About The Next Pandemic." Overusing antiviral drugs can help germs become resistant to them.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090427/ap_on_he_me/med_healthbeat_swine_flu_q_a;_ylt=Angptxy11k.HsADxf.CrsIha24cA;_ylu=X3oDMTJ2ODMzYW5rBGFzc2V0A2FwLzIw MDkwNDI3L21lZF9oZWFsdGhiZWF0X3N3aW5lX2ZsdV9xX2EEY3BvcwMyBHBvcwMyBHNlYwN5bl90b3Bfc3RvcmllcwRzbGsDd2hh dHlvdW5lZWR0

and finally

Q: In Mexico, officials are handing out face masks. Do I need one?

A: The CDC says there's not good evidence that masks really help outside of health care settings. It's safer just to avoid close contact with someone who's sick and avoid crowded gatherings in places where swine flu is known to be spreading. But if you can't do that, CDC guidelines say it's OK to consider a mask — just don't let it substitute for good precautions.

[CameraGirl]

The numbers fluctuate far too much for me to even believe the CDC. I still think it's a scare. Remember the Avian Flu? What about that Chinese Virus? Oh, and my favorite: The simple Flu. It's the same thing. Outbreak levels of epidemic are reached, heightened awareness is suggested...and then they all suddenly fade out.

Come on. I mean, it's Mexico, first off. Compared to the US, the health there stinks. And, even if you do get the Swine Flu, there's not that high a chance of a death, let alone a very long illness. There's been people that, within a week, are up and throwing the football, again.

So, no, I'm not worried, no matter what bullshit the CDC throws at us. I see it as a scare/propaganda. Just like with t he last few scares.

Stick to common sense health tactics, and you'll be fine. Over do the health tactics, and I have no sympathy for you.

[Wingéd Mermaid]

There are five stages when it comes to this kind of stuff. 5 being the worst (it's everywhere, passing person to person, all sorts of people infected/dying) and right now the Swine Flu is at stage 4.

Everyone BE CAREFUL! Buy sanitation wipes and hand sanitizer. Be careful when you go out or shop- ESPECIALLY grocery shopping! People touch the products. For now, do not buy anything that isn't in packages (like single fruits, vegetables, breads, ect) because your food can get infected from people touching it. When you go to the grocery take wipes and wipe down the handle bar on the cart. When you get home wipe down containers you frequently use (eg: milk jug) and wash your hands.

REFRAIN FROM TOUCHING YOUR FACE AT ALL COSTS when you're out in public, until you can get home and wash your hands. Touching your face is the most direct and fastest way to get viral nasties into your system.

Pay attention to your body. Don't be stubborn if you get sick- go to the doctor! Better to be safe than sorry.

Everyone please be careful. If everyone takes precautions we can stop this from heading to stage 5 and save lives.

Blessed Be.

[CameraGirl]

and right now the Swine Flu is at stage 4.

Ooh. Scary.

Oh, wait. No it's not.



Everyone BE CAREFUL! Buy sanitation wipes and hand sanitizer.

Sanitation wipes/hand sanitizer do nothing but prevent the immune system from developing. They do not rid the bacteria.


Be careful when you go out or shop

Common sense, folks.


When you go to the grocery take wipes and wipe down the handle bar on the cart.

Yay. The government got their paranoia, right here. That's, yet again, an example of overdoing it. I never understood why the grocery store put wipes at the cart register. I always found it dumb. I mean, if we REALY worried about things, we'd NEVER eat outside of anything we cooked/grew ourselves. Goddess knows what goes on behind the doors at the restaurant we frequent and love.

Just use common sense, don't over do it, and everything will be effin' fine.


Don't be stubborn if you get sick- go to the doctor! Better to be safe than sorry.

But, please, don't go to the doctor with a cough, and inquire as if it's the swine flu. Chances are, it's just sinuses, or a simple head cold.

Everyone needs to RELAX. Panicking and overdoing it is NOT the solution. Good lordy.

[Xander67]

The numbers fluctuate far too much for me to even believe the CDC. I still think it's a scare. Remember the Avian Flu? What about that Chinese Virus? Oh, and my favorite: The simple Flu. It's the same thing. Outbreak levels of epidemic are reached, heightened awareness is suggested...and then they all suddenly fade out.

Come on. I mean, it's Mexico, first off. Compared to the US, the health there stinks. And, even if you do get the Swine Flu, there's not that high a chance of a death, let alone a very long illness. There's been people that, within a week, are up and throwing the football, again.

So, no, I'm not worried, no matter what bullshit the CDC throws at us. I see it as a scare/propaganda. Just like with t he last few scares.

Stick to common sense health tactics, and you'll be fine. Over do the health tactics, and I have no sympathy for you.

well we will just see how this plays out,

I could give a rat's ass what the CDC says, but when the World Health organization says it is very close to a pandemic and the World Bank gives money to countries so they can have the resources it needs, that is not just media spin.
the number of deaths in Mexico, and the number of reported cases has DOUBLED in less than 3 days,
Believe me, I am one of the biggest Critics of the media here but this time is different. If anything, I think the media is not telling us everything. The numbers are rising each update. I would not be surprised if come sunup, or perhaps by noon, they do up it to a pandemic.

The World Health Organization is completely different than the CDC, so when they speak we need to listen.

but after saying all that, yes, basic precautions, but also they are even advising us not even to kiss our friends on the cheeks as a precaution. And advising us to avoid large gatherings as a precaution. or be extra careful.

And don't forget, schools are closeing over this one and being disinfected.

[CameraGirl]

the number of deaths in Mexico, and the number of reported cases has DOUBLED in less than 3 days,

Which, as I told other people, is almost impossible, b/c that is not enough time for statistics to be researched, and increase in any legal form other than a 5 to 10% increase. But, if you want to believe the hype and fear tactics, so be it.


that is not just media spin.

I wish I could believe that, but based on what I'm seeing, the WHO is no different than the CDC in their scare tactics, both now, and in the past.


And don't forget, schools are closeing over this one and being disinfected.

In Mexico, I understand the closings, but in the US, not at all. The government often wants fear and money. They're getting both, double. And people who are freaking out are doing no justice for anyone with a sensible brain.


but also they are even advising us not even to kiss our friends on the cheeks as a precaution.

That's a common sense precaution during ANY sick season.


And advising us to avoid large gatherings as a precaution. or be extra careful.

AKA, slowly shutting down the world. Yeah, I don't believe it. Sorry.


so when they speak we need to listen.
Sorry, but I dislike the WHO just as much as I do the EPA and CDC. It's all about money for them, in my eyes. All three groups. The CDC and WHO are in this, together. I wouldn't be surprised to see the EPA bounce in, sooner or later. That's when i laugh my sweet little ass off.


The numbers are rising each update.

Statistical impossibility. But, whatever. I'm through discussing this with everyone, b/c the panic is scary. Not the aspect of the disease, but the sheer panic in everyone's eyes. They even have us at my Uni meeting up to talk bout it. Tht was the last straw for me.

[Xander67]

Ooh. Scary.

Oh, wait. No it's not.



Everyone needs to RELAX. Panicking and overdoing it is NOT the solution. Good lordy.

I agree, panicking is not the solution, and overdoing it..

But undermining the public awareness and criticizing the people who are just trying to keep us safe is foolish.

[Xander67]

OMFG Their is a PIG puppet on Craig fergeson defending the pigs over the swine flu, lol

[Caitlin.ann]

There are six stages..

[Xander67]

Statistical impossibility. But, whatever. I'm through discussing this with everyone, b/c the panic is scary. Not the aspect of the disease, but the sheer panic in everyone's eyes. They even have us at my Uni meeting up to talk bout it. Tht was the last straw for me.

well it does take a bit of time for data to be released from hospitals to health depts..

No one here is panicing,
Just washing their hands more thats all...

Not to sound OVERDOING it, as you said, but, just be safe, better safe than sorry.

[ignescentphoenix]

Yeah, because merely talking about the swine flu, preps for it, and precautions, is being too worried. I mean its not like anyone died from a pandemic before. Its not like we are way passed due for one or anything.:rolleyes:

[Xander67]

There are six stages..

yes, we were at stage 3 this evening, but just recently within the past 2 hours the World Health Orgainization upped it to 4.

[Wingéd Mermaid]

I agree, panicking is not the solution, and overdoing it..

But undermining the public awareness and criticizing the people who are just trying to keep us safe is foolish.

Maybe I should have specified that I'm in an area where there have been cases already. I'm not PANICKING (that will do no good to anyone) I'm merely trying to give advice to people, especially in areas where they have already had cases, and who have weak immune systems (like myself). I wish CameraGirl wouldn't attack me for just caring about the health and welfare of others.

[Xander67]

Yeah, because merely talking about the swine flu, preps for it, and precautions, is being too worried. I mean its not like anyone died from a pandemic before. Its not like we are way passed due for one or anything.:rolleyes:

lol
Craig Fergeson!

This little piggy went to market
this little piggy stayed home
this little piggy caused a world health scare
and this little piggy went wee wee wee all the way to the end of the world..

PIG pocolypse,

[Caitlin.ann]

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g39/Twilightexistance/who.gif


Phase 4 is characterized by verified human-to-human transmission of an animal or human-animal influenza reassortant virus able to cause “community-level outbreaks.” The ability to cause sustained disease outbreaks in a community marks a significant upwards shift in the risk for a pandemic. Any country that suspects or has verified such an event should urgently consult with WHO so that the situation can be jointly assessed and a decision made by the affected country if implementation of a rapid pandemic containment operation is warranted. Phase 4 indicates a significant increase in risk of a pandemic but does not necessarily mean that a pandemic is a forgone conclusion.

Resource (http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/phase/en/index.html)

[Xander67]

Maybe I should have specified that I'm in an area where there have been cases already. I'm not PANICKING (that will do no good to anyone) I'm merely trying to give advice to people, especially in areas where they have already had cases, and who have weak immune systems (like myself). I wish CameraGirl wouldn't attack me for just caring about the health and welfare of others.

She wasn't attacking you,:hugz: it was me, All my Fault!
:imout:

[Caitlin.ann]

I wouldn't be surprised if we were in stage five by the end of the week with more and more cases popping up.


Phase 5 is characterized by human-to-human spread of the virus into at least two countries in one WHO region. While most countries will not be affected at this stage, the declaration of Phase 5 is a strong signal that a pandemic is imminent and that the time to finalize the organization, communication, and implementation of the planned mitigation measures is short.

[Xander67]

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g39/Twilightexistance/who.gif



Resource (http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/phase/en/index.html)

thanks lil sis!!

lmao you gotta watch the craig ferguson monologue after letterman, :rotfl:

[Caitlin.ann]

thanks lil sis!!

lmao you gotta watch the craig ferguson monologue after letterman, :rotfl:

Lol no worries! :D Was curious me self!

[ignescentphoenix]

lol
Craig Fergeson!

This little piggy went to market
this little piggy stayed home
this little piggy caused a world health scare
and this little piggy went wee wee wee all the way to the end of the world..

PIG pocolypse,

lol

Aww, I was hoping for a barackolypse.:bigredgri ;)

[Xander67]

But, please, don't go to the doctor with a cough, and inquire as if it's the swine flu. Chances are, it's just sinuses, or a simple head cold.


Totally Agree here, all you are doing is takeing the DR's time away from the legitimate cases (possible cases)

diareah, chills, sweats, cold, flu symptoms, YES, you should see your DR anyhow, but not just for a cough, take Halls FFS! lol

[Xander67]

lol

Aww, I was hoping for a barackolypse.:bigredgri ;)

oh he got an OBAMA joke in too,

[Xander67]

Lol no worries! :D Was curious me self!

OMG im lmfao!

he is coughing in the ....... nermind not gonna spoil it.

[SphinYote]

I like my immune system. I think I'll let it develop and fight its own battles. No need for sanitation wipes, thank you very much.

I value my immune system too much for that crap.