Conflicting reports of Swine flu reported at DisneyWorld

[maroo]

http://fc.newbraunfels.txed.net/~sferguson/NBISD_News.htm

You guys should read this before we all decide this is all a joke.

 

[BoardWalkBelle]

Since we are supposed to stay home from work if sick, will my company still penalize me becasue i stay home! You bet! That is areason people go to work sick.

 

[luvthemouse71]

I think this swine flu thingh is being blown out of proportion. Remeber the bird flu a few yrs back that was suppsoed to become a pandemic but never did? and what about sars, same thing, and the swine flu of the 70's?

Still entirely possible for Bird flu and Sars to pop back up. These viruses mutate and can do so in the same generation..so even this swine flu could mutate yet again into something more virulent. There were a few Avian Flu deaths within the past few weeks.

I don't think anyone is trying to frighten people. But, have you ever heard the phrase "knowledge is power" ? The more people know about this, the better they can prepare.

Part of the reason why influenza and other illness killed so many people is because of ignorance, willful or otherwise.

IMHO, obviously it is somewhat of a big deal. Ask the CDC and the WHO their take on it.


"Since we are supposed to stay home from work if sick, will my company still penalize me becasue i stay home! You bet! That is areason people go to work sick."

The above quote illustrates part of why pandemics happen..OK, I can see not calling out for sniffles, but if you have a fever, stay the heck home. If you have projectile vomiting or diarrhea, stay the heck home. No one is so important that they need to come into work when they're that ill and you just end up giving it to others. It might be a moot point though, quarantines may be a possibility and if that's what they need to do to slow down the spread, then they should do it.

 

[3prettyprincesses]

The cases of swine flu that have been critical have had patients ending up on ventilators..me personally, I'd rather have an idea of the worst case scenario. Hiding and trying to sprinkle pixie dust on it doesn't really do much good. This virus does attack lung tissue, and basically, the effect is you suffocate. This doesn't seem to be happening in the US(yet) but it may.

I think the CDC, and other groups should make it very clear what this can entail. Maybe then, it will be taken seriously. This could go away soon or it could be bad news..people need the facts.

So apparently you have all the facts then? Are you running the tests at the CDC? How is that you have firsthand information of what this swine flu does? Where are you getting your information from?

I'm not hiding and sprinkling pixie dust as you so nicely put it. What I was trying to say is that we don't know the facts so let's all just stay calm and wait to see what happens. Posts like yours are going to frighten people out of their wits when they're already on hyper-alert with this thing. I think people are taking this seriously but why cause more panic? You don't have all the facts, neither do I or the CDC or the WHO. Let's be sensible is all I'm saying....

 

[BoardWalkBelle]

I know it is a big deal, obviously it can be a problem. I just dont think people need to cancel their wdw vacation or change their day to day habits...yet.

 

[luvthemouse71]

Actually, it is the opposite. LOW absolute humidity causes flu to spread more rapidly. Google flu humidity.

Good, one less thing on my mind!!

 

[ShannonMB]

Still entirely possible for Bird flu and Sars to pop back up. These viruses mutate and can do so in the same generation..so even this swine flu could mutate yet again into something more virulent. There were a few Avian Flu deaths within the past few weeks.

I don't think anyone is trying to frighten people. But, have you ever heard the phrase "knowledge is power" ? The more people know about this, the better they can prepare.

Part of the reason why influenza and other illness killed so many people is because of ignorance, willful or otherwise.

IMHO, obviously it is somewhat of a big deal. Ask the CDC and the WHO their take on it.

I guess the question is, how can one really prepare? Other than the usual, stay away from others who are sick, go to the Dr. if you feel like you have the flu, cough into your elbow, wash your hands?

I think some people are inclined to carry on with their lives (including travel to WDW and elsewhere) while following these simple precautions. Others are probably thinking of going to Walmart tomorrow and stocking up on bottled water and canned goods, not wanting to send their kids to school/go to work. What is the best way to prepare???

At this point it's all fear and speculation. Until they tell me to stay in my home until this blows over, all I can do is hope for the best (use hygiene, obviously) and live my life. If this is going to kill us all, then we are already screwed. Sorry.

 

[luvthemouse71]

So apparently you have all the facts then? Are you running the tests at the CDC? How is that you have firsthand information of what this swine flu does? Where are you getting your information from?

I'm not hiding and sprinkling pixie dust as you so nicely put it. What I was trying to say is that we don't know the facts so let's all just stay calm and wait to see what happens. Posts like yours are going to frighten people out of their wits when they're already on hyper-alert with this thing. I think people are taking this seriously but why cause more panic? You don't have all the facts, neither do I or the CDC or the WHO. Let's be sensible is all I'm saying....

The information about the people on the ventilators is public knowledge..there is a strong respiratory component. One of the spokepeople for the CDC(a physician) stated that deaths in the US from this were probable. This same gentleman also stated that he was extremely concerned about the possibility of virus mutation, therefore making the US strain more virulent. All of this information is out there..you just have to be brave enough to educate yourself, as scary as the facts may be.

With all due respect, it is not your place to dictate what people post. If I'm scaring you..don't read it. But I'm sure there are plenty of people out there that want to be informed..and I'm not going to stop posting what I hear from what seem to me to be credible sources. Between a poster on a message board and a physician, I'm going to pick the physician.

I'll try to find a link to this info...up to you if you want to read it.

 

[3prettyprincesses]

The information about the people on the ventilators is public knowledge..there is a strong respiratory component. One of the spokepeople for the CDC(a physician) stated that deaths in the US from this were probable. This same gentleman also stated that he was extremely concerned about the possibility of virus mutation, therefore making the US strain more virulent. All of this information is out there..you just have to be brave enough to educate yourself, as scary as the facts may be.

With all due respect, it is not your place to dictate what people post. If I'm scaring you..don't read it. But I'm sure there are plenty of people out there that want to be informed..and I'm not going to stop posting what I hear from what seem to me to be credible sources. Between a poster on a message board and a physician, I'm going to pick the physician.

I'll try to find a link to this info...up to you if you want to read it.

Whoa partner! I think you're completely misunderstanding me. I really DO want to know where you're getting your information from. I'm not frightened or scared to read up on the latest official news. I certainly am not telling you what you can or cannot post either. I really think you misunderstood me. My point is for us all to remain calm and react to the facts whatever they may be. Can't you just see how a thread like this could get out of hand with people panicking? I'm sure you could. Anyhow, I would love to read the information you're talking about and I'm not being snarky when I say that! I agree too, I'd certainly 100% believe a physician over a poster here on the disboards. Can you post your links then please? Thanks.

 

[luvthemouse71]

I guess the question is, how can one really prepare? Other than the usual, stay away from others who are sick, go to the Dr. if you feel like you have the flu, cough into your elbow, wash your hands?

I think some people are inclined to carry on with their lives (including travel to WDW and elsewhere) while following these simple precautions. Others are probably thinking of going to Walmart tomorrow and stocking up on bottled water and canned goods, not wanting to send their kids to school/go to work. What is the best way to prepare???

At this point it's all fear and speculation. Until they tell me to stay in my home until this blows over, all I can do is hope for the best (use hygiene, obviously) and live my life. If this is going to kill us all, then we are already screwed. Sorry.

I'm in the middle as far as preparing..I keep a stock of bottled water, canned food, first aid stuff anyway for emergencies. I ordered some N95 masks online just to have them if needed. If not, they'll keep.

As of now, I'm living my life. I still intend to go on my trip in September..I wash my hands and take the simple precautions.

I've noticed though, that people seem to be very black and white on this issue. You can have it both ways, you can live your life but not have your head stuck in the sand. Making minor preparations isn't going to hurt and may very well help.

 

[disneywld2002]

I am leaving for Disney World in 11 days and I intend to take all the precautions to have a safe trip.....washing hands, sanitizer, antibacterial wipes.

 

[luvthemouse71]

Ok..this is the first time I've tried to link to articles so bear with me..

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics/AP/story/1022644.html
here's one ..let me try the others..be right back

this one mentions the mexico victims on ventilators...
http://www.brantfordexpositor.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1540973

This one's just an overview with symptoms and such..it does mention severe respiratory illness/pneumonia as possibilities.
http://www.disabled-world.com/health/influenza/swine-flu/

As I come across more..I'll update.

 

[ShannonMB]

I'm in the middle as far as preparing..I keep a stock of bottled water, canned food, first aid stuff anyway for emergencies. I ordered some N95 masks online just to have them if needed. If not, they'll keep.

As of now, I'm living my life. I still intend to go on my trip in September..I wash my hands and take the simple precautions.

I've noticed though, that people seem to be very black and white on this issue. You can have it both ways, you can live your life but not have your head stuck in the sand. Making minor preparations isn't going to hurt and may very well help.

I think your approach seems very sensible, and maybe what we should ALL be doing. Maybe a lot of people who "keep their head in the sand" are afraid to acknowledge that something may really be happening here. I know if I purposely go to buy extra food/water/order masks, I will feel like I'm acknowledging that the worst could happen. It also seems like a "panicky" thing to do. It can't be a bad thing, though, to have everything ready in case we do need to say home. The news of the schools closing and school-aged parents being asked to stay home is hitting home with me.

 

[Colleen27]

The cases of swine flu that have been critical have had patients ending up on ventilators..me personally, I'd rather have an idea of the worst case scenario. Hiding and trying to sprinkle pixie dust on it doesn't really do much good. This virus does attack lung tissue, and basically, the effect is you suffocate. This doesn't seem to be happening in the US(yet) but it may.

Has there been any solid confirmation of this? Everything I've read has presented that as theory based on how the 1918 flu pandemic worked, and said that more testing needs to be done to know whether that is in fact the case in the Mexico City fatalities. My impression from CNN is that they haven't even ruled out confounding factors like malnutrition, already impaired lung function, etc. completely yet. There's a lot of "could be" and "may" and "if" and very little well-established fact about the whole situation right now.

 

[Colleen27]

"Since we are supposed to stay home from work if sick, will my company still penalize me becasue i stay home! You bet! That is areason people go to work sick."

The above quote illustrates part of why pandemics happen..OK, I can see not calling out for sniffles, but if you have a fever, stay the heck home. If you have projectile vomiting or diarrhea, stay the heck home. No one is so important that they need to come into work when they're that ill and you just end up giving it to others.

Most people aren't so important that the company can't run without them, but MANY people need their jobs to survive and cannot violate workplace absentee policies, particularly in this economy. I think that's a big problem that may get some well-deserved attention right now - I've known a lot of people who worked in jobs where they risk being fired if they called in sick and a lot of school districts that fail kids for attendance regardless of performance. Policies like that force people to go into work or send their kids to school sick, because the consequences are more severe than the discomfort of going to work with cold or flu symptoms.

 

[luvthemouse71]

Has there been any solid confirmation of this? Everything I've read has presented that as theory based on how the 1918 flu pandemic worked, and said that more testing needs to be done to know whether that is in fact the case in the Mexico City fatalities. My impression from CNN is that they haven't even ruled out confounding factors like malnutrition, already impaired lung function, etc. completely yet. There's a lot of "could be" and "may" and "if" and very little well-established fact about the whole situation right now.

Right now, I'm looking for a specific article. The one I read told the story of several of the victims in Mexico..all of them were young healthy individuals in their 30's. No issues with asthma etc. These people were on breathing tubes/ventilators.

And I also read that the experts have pretty much confirmed that it causes a hyper immune response in young otherwise healthy people. I did try to link to a medical paper on PubMed dealing with this. The title was something like Severe Respiratory Compromise in Swine Flu Affecting The Immunocompetent(paraphrasing). The use of the term "immunocompetent" caught my eye, because they are talking about people with healthy immune systems. I really want to find this article, even though it may be not the most quick thing to read!

 

[luvthemouse71]

Most people aren't so important that the company can't run without them, but MANY people need their jobs to survive and cannot violate workplace absentee policies, particularly in this economy. I think that's a big problem that may get some well-deserved attention right now - I've known a lot of people who worked in jobs where they risk being fired if they called in sick and a lot of school districts that fail kids for attendance regardless of performance. Policies like that force people to go into work or send their kids to school sick, because the consequences are more severe than the discomfort of going to work with cold or flu symptoms.

I know, and if anything good can come of all this, maybe it will give employers/schools a wakeup call. I'm a nurse and while my present employer is unionized, I've worked in places that weren't. The last thing a surgical patient needs to to be exposed to someone infectious..yet at many places, I saw nurses working with highly contagious illnesses(pinkeye, shingles etc). Bad news.

 

[aubriee]

We are supposed to go next week!

So am I (May 9th-16th).

 

[aubriee]

So it seems the best path to take is for everyone going during the period of May 1st to May 9th to cancel their trips and stay home, right? anyone who wants to do this for them just let me know. At the very least it would seem reasonable for people to cancel their Le Cellier reservations for that time period as I have read this new flu spreads by contact with cheese soup and pretzel bread!!!

(Yes, my plan is working! The parks will be empty by the time we arrive!!! Mwahahahaha! )

Hey, extend those dates to go through May 16th also, if you don't mind. Only thing is, we already have an ADR for Le Cellier on May 13th and no we are not giving it up. I'll just have to fight the flu virus for that cheese soup and pretzel bread.

 

[laura_<3]

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Interactive-Graphics/Swine-Flu-Map

Here's a link to a map tracking the cases of swine flu (hope it works!)