Pandemic?

[MommyBoo!]

The problem is, these short term, day or two school closings do absolutely nothing. The Ct. Dept of Health came out with a firm statement yesterday, that they have advocated absolutely no school closings, and we have had several "one day closings" in Ct. . School districts are doing this on their own and cleaning the school while its closed. Its an exercise in futility.

We were discussing this with our cousin last night. How many times will they do this? Say the school reopens on Tuesday, then someone else from that school is a suspected case on Thursday. Do they close it again? This could go on for a long time. But, if the district does nothing, some parents will blame them for something.

And, how do you extend the school year for those days? Do you extend it for only the schools that were closed? I guess we will see.

Also, I don't think they are disinfecting the schools. I think they are closing them to prevent further spreading from person to person. As in, maybe someone else got it from the suspected cases and those symptoms should show up before the school reopens and therefore that person will not infect anyone else. That is, of course, assuming their parents keep them home.

 

[DawnCt1]

A previous poster said that getting it now would not offer any protection should it mutate in the fall... is that true? And if it is, then how is a vaccine made with the current strain(s) going to help us?

There is often some cross over protection in some flu viruses, which explains why those who receive a vaccine that doesn't have all of the components of the flu that emerges do not get as sick. Of course there isn't with this particular virus because it is totally new. DH feels that those who get this current wave could have some immunity if a more virulent strain emerges the fall or next season, because of that. I would imagine that the same is true of an current vaccine being developed. Also, vaccine can be fine tuned as we see what develops in the southern hemisphere over their winter.

 

[Christine]

Also, I don't think they are disinfecting the schools.

They are. It was ALL over the news last night. They even felt that they had to show clips of janitors scrubbing desks, shelves, etc.

 

[Nette]

There is often some cross over protection in some flu viruses, which explains why those who receive a vaccine that doesn't have all of the components of the flu that emerges do not get as sick. Of course there isn't with this particular virus because it is totally new. DH feels that those who get this current wave could have some immunity if a more virulent strain emerges the fall or next season, because of that. I would imagine that the same is true of an current vaccine being developed. Also, vaccine can be fine tuned as we see what develops in the southern hemisphere over their winter.

Ok, good, cuz that's how I understood it, and was surprised to hear differently.

 

[MommyBoo!]

They are. It was ALL over the news last night. They even felt that they had to show clips of janitors scrubbing desks, shelves, etc.

For what area? Our district has just said that they are closing the schools not disinfecting them. I was speaking of my area. They may be doing that as well but since it is airborne, it is also likely that they are trying to prevent further person to person contact with someone who may be infected.

 

[flying_babyb]

I feel sorry for the janitors having all that extra work. I agree that closing a school for one day dosent really help.

 

[Christine]

For what area? Our district has just said that they are closing the schools not disinfecting them. I was speaking of my area. They may be doing that as well but since it is airborne, it is also likely that they are trying to prevent further person to person contact with someone who may be infected.

I cannot remember the specific area that they referred to. I know it was not our area as we've had no closures. It could have been in Maryland where they've had some cases. Not sure.

 

[MommyBoo!]

I feel sorry for the janitors having all that extra work. I agree that closing a school for one day dosent really help.

They might welcome the extra money in this economy.

And, I agree, the closings won't help. Any virus in the schools would have been dead by the time we got the call last night. But, what are the districts going to do? Surrounding districts are closing. If they didn't close and someone got really sick or god forbid, died, the parents would all blame the district. Even if there were other circumstances that played in the illness or death.

On the other hand, it's the end of the year. There are lots of things planned; some that may be hard or impossible to reschedule. Nobody wants an extended school year. That creates even more problems with child care, summer activities, vacations. I am not saying that these things are more important than peoples' health; I am just saying that they can be affected by all of this.

The districts are really in a damned if you do, damned if you don't position. One that the media helped to create.

 

[flying_babyb]

Yea, Most janitors at schools get minimum wage.

 

[carissanboys]

I cannot remember the specific area that they referred to. I know it was not our area as we've had no closures. It could have been in Maryland where they've had some cases. Not sure.

There is a school in Maryland that has a student with probable H1N1 virus. (there is at least two other schools in MD with probable cases as well) The school did not close down, but they spent the night "cleaning every inch" of the school. Not sure if that's the one you're talking about or not.

One of the other schools with a probable case DID close today. I believe it's Rockville Highschool.

 

[Christine]

There is a school in Maryland that has a student with probable H1N1 virus. (there is at least two other schools in MD with probable cases as well) The school did not close down, but they spent the night "cleaning every inch" of the school. Not sure if that's the one you're talking about or not.

One of the other schools with a probable case DID close today. I believe it's Rockville Highschool.

Probably. And just wondering how that "cleaning every inch" is going to help. Although, I'm sure, in general, the school probably could have used it!!

 

[MommyBoo!]

I had to run to the school to drop something off and the secretary told me that they have been getting calls all morning from parents who are upset that our school was not closed (we have no suspected cases in our school).

It doesn't matter if they close one school or all of them. How many kids from the affected schools will be at the park district soccer games tomorrow? Or dance or karate tonight?

But again, the districts are in a tough spot.

 

[carissanboys]

Probably. And just wondering how that "cleaning every inch" is going to help. Although, I'm sure, in general, the school probably could have used it!!

I think it was done mainly to make parents feel better about the fact that the school didn't close.

 

[Christine]

I think it was done mainly to make parents feel better about the fact that the school didn't close.

It just makes me wonder: Are we all really that ignorant or do they think we are?

 

[Planogirl]

What happened to the 100+ confirmed deaths in Mexico from last week?

I wondered about that too. I hate to admit it but I started wondering how their travel industry was doing and if that played a role in the suddenly much lower numbers.

I'm starting to join the camp that thinks that much of this is overkill. Some outdoor festivals in the area have now been cancelled as a result of this. Plus a school has closed because a few kids have the regular Type A flu. I think that the swine flu should be watched but some of this seems to be a bit much.

 

[MommyBoo!]

It just makes me wonder: Are we all really that ignorant or do they think we are?

No, it's just a few. But, those few are the loudest and the first to call the lawyers.

 

[DawnCt1]

I wondered about that too. I hate to admit it but I started wondering how their travel industry was doing and if that played a role in the suddenly much lower numbers.

I'm starting to join the camp that thinks that much of this is overkill. Some outdoor festivals in the area have now been cancelled as a result of this. Plus a school has closed because a few kids have the regular Type A flu. I think that the swine flu should be watched but some of this seems to be a bit much.

I am thinking that the CDC or WHO may have actually gone to Mexico and investigated those deaths and found that there was no link to all of those reported. It is unknown how Mexico came up with those figures. Did they take anecdotal information from family who thought that because their relative had a cough, difficulty breathing, etc that it was the flu? Those symptoms could also apply to congestive heart faillure, pneumonia, COPD, etc.

 

[Planogirl]

I am thinking that the CDC or WHO may have actually gone to Mexico and investigated those deaths and found that there was no link to all of those reported. It is unknown how Mexico came up with those figures. Did they take anecdotal information from family who thought that because their relative had a cough, difficulty breathing, etc that it was the flu? Those symptoms could also apply to congestive heart faillure, pneumonia, COPD, etc.

I can see that the numbers might be revised but they seem to be coming from Mexican authorities in both cases. Somehow the Mexican authorities came up with the high number and then revised it down to only twelve. Quite a change whatever happened.

All of this is really just speculation though because this whole swine flu thing seems to be overblown everywhere.

 

[DawnCt1]

I can see that the numbers might be revised but they seem to be coming from Mexican authorities in both cases. Somehow the Mexican authorities came up with the high number and then revised it down to only twelve. Quite a change whatever happened.

All of this is really just speculation though because this whole swine flu thing seems to be overblown everywhere.

There are some who think that it is overblown simply because it has turned out to be relatively mild with limited morbidity and mortality. The attitude is, "yeah, its spreading around the world but not many people are that sick". That may be true, but what is concerning, and not overblown, is that it is a brand new flu virus with a couple of swine flu segments, a bird flu segment and a human segment. Bird flu, which humans caught with contact from infected birds, is now a part of this virus that can be transmitted human to human. Same with the swine flu portion. Another area of concern is how rapidly it hit areas all over the world. While the media may have fueled the fire; it would be impossible to ignore the CDC's response, which has been appropriate, and WHO's response, which has been appropriate. The concern going forward is, will it increase in virulence? What will it be like if it emerges during the winter? Will we have an effective vaccine? Some of these questions may be answered in a couple of weeks. Some may take months. With regard to the info from the Mexican authorities; I think that info derived from data secured by other agencies, CDC, which needed the cooperation of the Mexican government, would be distributed through that government. They need to retain credibility with their own citizens.

 

[Cindyluwho]

For the last few days our news has been nothing but flu coverage. Then I wake up this morning and all I hear about it is, "It seems that the Swine Flu is not as bad as was thought" or something like that. And then nothing!! Like it's not even happening WTH??

I don't even know what to think right now. Something, somewhere is not right!