The media coverage of the swine flu is driving me crazy! It has typically sane people turning into germ-phobes. Don't get me wrong, I am concerned to a certain point. I'm pregnant, so yes, it worries me. Andy was hospitalized with pneumonia after having influenza in 2000 (I was pregnant with Peter and had influenza too).
What I don't get is why we are waiting on each and every possible case. Every year, 36,000 Americans die from influenza whichever strain it is for that year. We almost never do a head count for who has it and who doesn't. Here in our area, we have 2 "probable" cases-one adult and one child. This has resulted in 4 schools being closed at least today and tomorrow, but possibly running into next week. Is it me or is the potential for pandemic making people panic?
11 comments:
I know exactly what you mean about it turing people into germ-phobes! Take, John for example...lol!
Why can't the explain the exact symptoms? Is it the kind of flu where your upchucking your lung or is it similar to a common cold that turns into pneumonia? Oh and another peeve of mine since when did a cold turn into being called a flu? I thought the flu was when you were upchucking or having diareah. Excuse the spelling. I was sneezing and coughing! LOL
I think it's the # of deaths in Mexico and the misconception that the form of flu here now in the US is the exact same thing that's in Mexico, which it isn't.
It's driving me nuts too! The thing that really gets me is that either people roll their eyes about it or they go overboard. Obama ticked me off when he said (I read in the newspaper) that if your childs school closes, then do not send them to a daycare because that is not helping the situation. Well, WTF!?? If you work, are you supposed to take off to stay home with your kids, then who is going to pay you? He really irked me with that comment. Luckily mine are old enough now to stay home alone if they have to, but I feel for those who have smaller children.
People do need to be more aware of cleanliness though, all the people who do not wash their hands regularly (esp after using the bathroom) need to get with the program.
Its driving me crazy when i have to enter school, wipe down my desk and leave school and wipe down my desk. Drinking from bubblers is not advised at this point at my school and im sick of it! One kid in my class is sick, and everyone is paranoid, thinking it is swine flu!
I think Mary Cate has swine flu...
I don't want to contribute to the mass hysteria...but I will say this....most Americans have somewhat of an immunity to the various strains of the flu that show up here every year. Yes, it does kill a lot of people...mostly the young and very old or immune compromised. However, we have ZERO immunity to this swine flu! That is what scares me the most. It is also been announced that the Tamiflu does not do very well on this particular outbreak. Originally, this was past from an animal to a human. The virus itself has to mutate before it can be spread from person to person. This process of mutation went VERY QUICKLY in this case...so that is another area of concern...that it's ability to mutate is fast and strong. I don't think it hurts to be extra vigilant about washing hands and keeping away from large crowds right now...at least until the hype dies down. I'm pretty sure it will die down....but if history repeats itself (and I know that it does), we are at that time where it wouldn't surprise me if it does become more of a problem than I'd like it to be.
Anyway...that's just my 2 cents!
I swear it is a control issue.
So, you thinking about posting again anytime soon? lol...
It's the media fuelling the frenzy.
I mean, common sense people -- and here's what I say, if it's our time, then have your spritual bags packed.
Yeah! Really..It is God's will if we have to get this flu or not! Deal with it???? LOL
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