Pandemic?

[raysnkaysmom]

Ok, I'm jumping in on page 18 of this thread, not reading Alllll these other pages. If it hadnt been for the DIS though, I wouldnt' even know this 'flu' was going around...

so, can I get a brief synopsis of what it is? My DS wasn't feeling well this evening (better now) and I thought "there is something about a pandemic on the DIS, maybe I should check it out"...
sounds silly I know, but that's really what I thought!!

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

Ok, I'm jumping in on page 18 of this thread, not reading Alllll these other pages. If it hadnt been for the DIS though, I wouldnt' even know this 'flu' was going around...

so, can I get a brief synopsis of what it is? My DS wasn't feeling well this evening (better now) and I thought "there is something about a pandemic on the DIS, maybe I should check it out"...
sounds silly I know, but that's really what I thought!!

Basically this a type of flu that has made the jump from pigs to humans. The symptoms are very similar to the normal flu virus: lethargy, fever, aches, congestion. If you have any of these symptoms go to the doctor. This strain has not proven fatal in the US (although it has in Mexico) and it responds well to antivirals such as Tamiflu. If you suspect she has it keep her home from schoola nd do not go out in public except to got the doctor as yo udo not want to aide in the spreading of the disease.

 

[TimothyQMouse]

Call me a skeptic. It seems like every few years we get another pandemic scare. Swine flu. SARS. Mad Cow Disease. Bird flu. Now swine and bird flu. I'm not saying that it won't be a tragedy for a few and bad for many, but it isn't going to be anything like the doomsayers are predicting. I'll give you 10 to 1 odds that this flu won't crack the top 10 in causes of fatalities in the US this year. Smoking, driving, being fat, being out of shape - those are the things that are far more likely to kill you. Worry about them instead.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

Call me a skeptic. It seems like every few years we get another pandemic scare. Swine flu. SARS. Mad Cow Disease. Bird flu. Now swine and bird flu. I'm not saying that it won't be a tragedy for a few and bad for many, but it isn't going to be anything like the doomsayers are predicting. I'll give you 10 to 1 odds that this flu won't crack the top 10 in causes of fatalities in the US this year. Smoking, driving, being fat, being out of shape - those are the things that are far more likely to kill you. Worry about them instead.

Normally I'd be inclined to agree, but this has all the hallmarks of apandemic. The avain flu never made the jump from human to human transmission. SARS was bad, but it was mostly contained in Asia. Mad Cow also never made the human to human jump.

What we have is a flu that made the jump from animal to human transimission to human to human transmission very quickly. It is subtype of a known deadly strain (H1N1). It has already spread to several continents. The good thing is that we are prepared the way no other society in history has been. We now have ways to contain it and drugs that can treat it as well as much more advanced healthcare facilities than in prior epidemics. While panicking is not the answer, this is a situation that needs to be taken very seriously. I pray that you are right, but will prepare like you are wrong.

 

[december]

Call me a skeptic. It seems like every few years we get another pandemic scare. Swine flu. SARS. Mad Cow Disease. Bird flu. Now swine and bird flu. I'm not saying that it won't be a tragedy for a few and bad for many, but it isn't going to be anything like the doomsayers are predicting. I'll give you 10 to 1 odds that this flu won't crack the top 10 in causes of fatalities in the US this year. Smoking, driving, being fat, being out of shape - those are the things that are far more likely to kill you. Worry about them instead.

I understand your point, but personally I'm worried about my kids, especially the one that will be entering the world in the next few weeks. I can assure you smoking, being fat, or out of shape won't hurt her in the near future, but this flu might. That is my #1 concern.

 

[LuvOrlando]

Call me a skeptic. It seems like every few years we get another pandemic scare. Swine flu. SARS. Mad Cow Disease. Bird flu. Now swine and bird flu. I'm not saying that it won't be a tragedy for a few and bad for many, but it isn't going to be anything like the doomsayers are predicting. I'll give you 10 to 1 odds that this flu won't crack the top 10 in causes of fatalities in the US this year. Smoking, driving, being fat, being out of shape - those are the things that are far more likely to kill you. Worry about them instead.

You are being kind of harsh. Why?

 

[minnie56]

Well, I am not hysterical about it but I am aware that one day something will come along that IS catastrophic and who am I to say what and when that will be!!!

I am supposed to be heading to NYC next Tuesday-think I will wait and watch then make that decision!

Scary...

 

[java]

"The cases confirmed in the U.S. and Mexico were enough of a concern for Andorra Vassiliou, the European Union's health commissioner, to recommend against travel to North America.

People "should avoid traveling to Mexico or the USA unless it is very urgent for them," Vassiliou said."


So does that mean I won't get to meet all the wonderful families from England we always meet in Disney in July?
It's making me unsettled that they keep pointing out that the biggest outbreak is in NY and that it could spread rapidly. Especially since dh goes into NYC everyday.

 

[praline3001]

I am not in panic mode but am watching closely as my son has asthma and has been in the hospital 8 times and he is only 15. When he gets the flu or croup or strep ~ oh man its a huge pain

No cases in our area as of yet but I do live in a tourist town and we just had our Jazz Fest this past weekend.
Our Gov. was on the TV last night and said he full expects to see cases in our state in the days to come. SOOO yup I am being careful ~ drilled the kids on keeping hands clean and away from their face.

But I am not ready to cancel my trip. I will go to Disney with a medical mask on first ~ I might even take a marker and draw a cute little mickey head on it

 

[FergieTCat]

I live within 10 miles of the school in New York City. I am not a happy camper right now. The subways are extremely crowded in the mornings and it's very easy to spread germs. There was a woman sitting next to me this morning who was coughing and sneezing. I really should have gotten up and moved.

I don't know about a pandemic, but I expect there to be an outbreak in Queens. People aren't as hygenic as we would hope.

 

[java]

But I am not ready to cancel my trip. I will go to Disney with a medical mask on first ~ I might even take a marker and draw a cute little mickey head on it

Here you go. No mickey head but it's swine flu approved!
I found it so strange that they are already marketing towards this disease.

http://www.gallawayb2b.com/Products...89c0dbaa7183f2e4.e3eTaxaQbxmTe34Pa38Ta38Ob3b0

 

[DMickey28]

I am one to panic either. I have had a super bad cold that I can't kick for the last week. I have never had the flu before so I have no idea what it really is.

My DS has had the same thing though not as bad as me for the last few days. We are going to the ped anyway on Thursday so I'll ask about it for him then if he stays the same.

What should I look for that would warrant a visit to the doctor for myself? I don't have a GP, just the OB/GYN so I'd have to go to the med. clinic.

 

[praline3001]

Here you go. No mickey head but it's swine flu approved!
I found it so strange that they are already marketing towards this disease.

http://www.gallawayb2b.com/Products...89c0dbaa7183f2e4.e3eTaxaQbxmTe34Pa38Ta38Ob3b0

I just need a black sharpie and I will be good to go

I think Disney Florist should start a new welcome gift basket with medical masks, hand sanatizers, rubber gloves ~ the premium package (as there is ALWAYS ONE) will include full hazmat suits

 

[java]

You know I was teasing my 11 year old when she put Hand Sanitizer in her goodie bags for a party! Now all the girls use them in her school. So her- not worried about.
She even brought down her "BIG JUG" of sanitizer for the family to use yesterday.
Seems her ocd is in vogue now.

 

[praline3001]

You know I was teasing my 11 year old when she put Hand Sanitizer in her goodie bags for a party! Now all the girls use them in her school. So her- not worried about.
She even brought down her "BIG JUG" of sanitizer for the family to use yesterday.
Seems her ocd is in vogue now.

My kids aren't allowed to have their own hand sanitizer at school. Not sure exactly why but it is a school rule

 

[praline3001]

Did anyone see this yet?
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&t=p&source=embed&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=106484775090296685271.0004681a37b713f6b5950

It has suspected cases that are waiting for test to come back and confirmed cases. It doesn't show those that choose not to see a DR. but as its a map you can watch how it spreads from the epicenter ~

Warning if your already panic stricken don't view
If you are observing and keeping an eye on things like me its a good site to watch for new cases to possibly pop up.
REMEMBER the PINK are NOT confirmed ~ just suspected.

 

[mickeyboat]

My kids head back to school this morning after a week-long vacation. Who knows where students traveled over the break, and what kinds of germs might have followed them home.

I have told the girls to wash their hands well, and as often as they can, and I sent a small bottle of hand sanitizer with them. I am not big on the hand-sanitizers, but I am making an exception right now. I have also reminded them not to touch their faces.

Denae

 

[AustinTink]

I am not in panic mode but am watching closely as my son has asthma and has been in the hospital 8 times and he is only 15. When he gets the flu or croup or strep ~ oh man its a huge pain

I can relate. My son is 10 and has been in the hospital 3 three times with pneumonia. He has asthma and getting the flu, or just a cold, wipes him out completely. He simply can't fight it.

So, we had a nice long talk about this new flu. He knows what precautions to take at school. But, he's just a kid, he forgets.

Those school closings in Schertz are about an hour and a half away from us. Too close for comfort!!

On another note, My sis lives in Mexico and says there are no cases reported in her state. Hopefully, they are keeping it contained and it won't effect her and family.

 

[Planogirl]

Did anyone see this yet?
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&t=p&source=embed&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=106484775090296685271.0004681a37b713f6b5950

It has suspected cases that are waiting for test to come back and confirmed cases. It doesn't show those that choose not to see a DR. but as its a map you can watch how it spreads from the epicenter ~

Warning if your already panic stricken don't view
If you are observing and keeping an eye on things like me its a good site to watch for new cases to possibly pop up.
REMEMBER the PINK are NOT confirmed ~ just suspected.

Wow, look at Spain! I had no idea that this had possibly spread so far.

Thanks for posting this.

 

[Cindyluwho]

I'm dissapointed that the media isn't telling us the number of students absent in the states affected, or in any states for that matter. If they gave me that number plus the percentage difference from a normal day, I'd feel a lot better. I'd really like to know how many students are staying home today, even if it's just because their parents are worried.