Pandemic?

[DawnCt1]

From an MSNBC article linked upthread:



Does anybody remember a single incident of people on planes and walking down the street wearing masks in the US? Because I sure don't.

And I remember flying during that period of time and nobody in the (U.S.) airports were wearing them, either.

Those that will benefit from masks, are the surgical supply companies. Masks work well if you are trying to protect others from pathogens that "you" may have. I learned in nursing school that the protective benefit to the wearer of the mask probably doesn't exceed 20 to 30 minutes. In the process of inhaling and exhaling, the mask becomes moist and can conduct bacteria and certainly viruses right through the mask. If you can breathe through it, you can eventually get infected through it. Its not the same as containing droplet and aerosol contamination from yourself to someone else.

 

[S. C.]

..

 

[C.Ann]

Oh the horror story will stick out of course. And with all due respect (and a deserved thank you to DawnCT), these boards aren't much better..[/I]

Here's a pretty good article on MSN

http://health.msn.com/health-topics/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100237462&gt1=31036

I'm watching the news, but not freaking out. I'm still way more worried about being killed in a car accident than getting swine flu. (not that I lose any sleep over that either, but I take normal saftey precautions - drive defensively, wear my seat belt, etc. to maximize my chances for survival)

Here's a great video regarding how to handle yourself if you are a chronic worrier...

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/30454368#30454368


Ultimately it is telling us to be smart, send the kids to school, and live our lives. That's what we are doing here.

DW is definitely "non-essential", so in my opinion, they shouldn't be allowing anyone in until this we have a better grasp on this thing..

Wow! How would they screen people? Would they stop every guest at check-in and the gates to the park to get a full-blown history of where they are from; where they have traveled to; who their neighbors are and where they have traveled to; if they are from a state with confirmed cases; etc., etc..?? The only way to be 100% safe would be to close the parks and the resorts entirely - and then what happens to all of the employees?

New york update.

All cases appear to be mild. There was one 2 year old admitted to the hospital with Swine Flu.

It's a rapidly spreading flu- but they STRESSED that at this point it is no more deadly than the regular flu.

The Governor of NY held a press conference today - which I caught on the noon-time news.. He said absolutely nothing alarming -and indicated there was no reason for people to panic or change their current lifestyles.. He talked about WHO - and as discussed here yesterday, WHO themselves indicated they raised the level simply to free up resources needed to vamp up supplies of medication if needed..

Looking at the list of symptoms here for this swine flu, they pretty much mirrored what my DD, her DH, and my DGD had just before Easter.. They were super sick (totally unheard of with my son-in-law) had the fevers; the respiratory problems; the headaches; the aches and pains; the chills - the whole nine yards.. I was still living there with them at the time - have a compromised immune system - have serious respiratory problems - and didn't catch it.. It was obviously very contagious because it started with DGD - then my son-in-law - and finally my DD (who had the hardest and longest recovery time).. If I had to take a guess as to "why" I didn't catch it, I would say because I took every day normal precautions for when someone is sick in the household.. No kissing; no mingling with them for long periods of time; washing my hands carefully and repeatedly; using my sleeve to open door handles or other handles they touched (cabinets and such); more time in my room (or in my scrapbook room in the basement - away from them and their germs); etc.. DD and DGD both had flu shots this year (something that I have to do every year) - so whatever it was, it was a different strain of flu than what the shots were supposed to prevent..

A common sense approach - that you would use for any other illness that you don't want to catch - should be sufficient for now..

Stay informed - but let's not start screaming for WDW to screen their guests and/or shut down; change our vacation plans; yank our kids out of school (unless of course the school closes); put a halt to shopping (which will only tank our economy further); or hold up in our houses like hermits.. This situation is nowhere near that magnitude yet..

Again - perspective.. We can say, "Oh my God! 68 confirmed cases in the United States!!!! - or Wow! Out of the entire population of the United States there are currently only 68 confirmed cases.. I prefer to go with the latter - until I have very, very good reasons to think/feel otherwise..

Not saying you shouldn't stay informed - I'm here myself to read up on the latest info - just keep it in perspective..

 

[4forMe]

[QUOTE="Got Disney";31564987]
they suggest if one in the family gets ill that all stay home. They also said that many hundreds of school age students are sick and have not been confirmed yet but they are sure they are infected with the virus. They did not say where...they just said in NYC. They did say that 2 deaths are being checked here in Ca. to see if related but they seem to think they are.[/QUOTE]

They just reported on the local news radio in Chicago that they are investigating these two deaths in California. It was reported that the victims were a 33 yr. old male and 45 yr. old male, each previously healthy and that the cause of death is listed as pneumonia. Tests are being done as it is now suspected they each had swine flu. Would anyone have a link to an article about this?

 

["Got Disney"]

I'm going to take a shower....all this germ talk on TV and on here has made me feel like I need to take a nice long shower with a lot of soap ....well cant be too long we have a water shortage here in Ca. so must save water for shamu.....carry on.....

 

[minkydog]

or[/I] Wow! Out of the entire population of the United States there are currently only 68 confirmed cases..[/B]

Exactly.

The flu symptoms you list are the same flu symptoms that almost every flu has. It hits you like a brick and you feel like you're gonna die. Fever, horrible aches, splitting headache, cough, chills and sometimes vomiting/diarrhea. Nobody ever feels like they have a "touch of the flu." It makes you so sick you can actually mark time by it--"Remember when we bought the fridge? It was right after you and the kids got the flu."

Personally, I think this situation is going to go the way of the rest of the "disease of the week" illnesses. Remember West Nile Virus? St. Louis Encephalitis? Legionaire's disease? Norwalk Virus? they're still out there but now they're old news. Just like swine flu will be in a few months.

At least it takes your mind off the economy.

 

[HLAuburn]

Quote:
Originally Posted by HLAuburn
DW is definitely "non-essential", so in my opinion, they shouldn't be allowing anyone in until this we have a better grasp on this thing..

Wow! How would they screen people? Would they stop every guest at check-in and the gates to the park to get a full-blown history of where they are from; where they have traveled to; who their neighbors are and where they have traveled to; if they are from a state with confirmed cases; etc., etc..?? The only way to be 100% safe would be to close the parks and the resorts entirely - and then what happens to all of the employees?

Talk about taking things out of context...you copied and pasted part of one thing that I said. If you read the entire post and what I was responding to, "allowing anyone in" was in reference to the country, NOT Disney World. Yeah, I'm suggesting closing Disney World. Brilliant idea.

 

[LuvOrlando]

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[mommy*RN]

I guess there are three "suspect" cases where I live (WI). Two cases were at a hospital in a more affluent area and the third was at a hospital in a different area that has some money too. I'm guessing people that traveled? The funny thing is both hospitals were part of the system I work for, but nothing at my hospital where we have a very large Hispanic population.

 

[C.Ann]

Why were they letting anyone in from Mexico 2 days ago? DW is definitely "non-essential", so in my opinion, they shouldn't be allowing anyone in until this we have a better grasp on this thing. Everyone is so hung up on being "PC" we're not even protecting our own citizens.

Now ALL those travelers from all over the country were exposed and now will go home to spread it to everyone else. From one person. Unreal.

The above is your original post.. I'm not seeing where I took anything out of context - as written by you.. The discussion was about the person from Mexico who had been in WDW and is now believed to have swine flu..

Read your response to that comment.. "Why were they letting anyone in from Mexico 2 days ago?" That reads to me as though you were referring to the man who had been allowed "in" to WDW 2 days ago..

Your next sentence is: "DW is definitely "non-essential", so in my opinion, they shouldn't be allowing anyone in until this we have a better grasp on this thing." Again - you are speaking of DW and in the very same sentence stating they shouldn't be allowing anyone "in".. Logical conclusion is that you are referring to DW - as that is how you started the sentence..

Talk about taking things out of context...you copied and pasted part of one thing that I said. If you read the entire post and what I was responding to, "allowing anyone in" was in reference to the country, NOT Disney World. Yeah, I'm suggesting closing Disney World. Brilliant idea.

------------

If that was not how you meant it, I apologize.. Had you stated it more clearly - or broken it up into paragraphs making the distinction between your comments about WDW and your attempt to comment on the general concept of allowing people into the country - there wouldn't have been any confusion..

Nevertheless, not allowing people into the country is not the solution.. Can you imagine telling kids returning from spring break, "You're not allowed back in your own country"?? Or honeymooners.. Or businessmen.. Or the President.. It's simply not doable - nor is it necessary at this point..

Again - if I was confused by the way you posted your thoughts, I apologize.. You don't need "rolling eyes" to get an apology out of me when it's brought to my attention that I misunderstood a post..

 

[C.Ann]

I'm guessing people that traveled?

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Well if nothing else, parents could use this for an excuse to tell their kids they can never leave the country on spring break - because they might bring a disease back with them..

 

[LuvOrlando]

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[mommy*RN]

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Well if nothing else, parents could use this for an excuse to tell their kids they can never leave the country on spring break - because they might bring a disease back with them..

Ooo, I'll have to stockpile that one for when my kids are older.

Right after I posted that there was a local news blurb that the three suspect cases were people who had traveled to Mexico during spring break.

 

[bigmerle1966]

and right now, my son is sick with a fever. The dr yesterday said she doesn't see what the fever is coming from (they did bloodwork, urine test etc) so I'm assuming they would have known if it was this... but as of now, his fever is 'unknown'...but all he does is lay around

By any chance does he have any teeth coming in? That could be causing it.

 

[mommy*RN]

I can't help but wonder if the people who keep poo-pooing the Flu, are aware that it actually kills around 35,000 American's each year, and we already have vaccines available for it? That's a sobering number to me, maybe not to the superhero's that seem to be out if force, but to mere imperfect mortals like myself that's a pretty big jumping off point IMHO.

Now, according to that Charlie Rose interview I just saw there are actually 2 different forms of this particular variant. One is susceptible to Tamiflu and the other one is already absolutely not. So thinking we shouldn't use meds because we can make the bug a super bug is flawed because the virus already evolved past that point without the panic & without the whole world using the stuff. So it seems that the million dollar question is : Which variant is actually circling around at this point?

Is there a way to test the swab cultures to see if they are resistant or are we talking about human trials where we need to just sit back and see which regions suffer greater casualties??? I hope we can do better than that.

They definitely can do sensitivity studies on the virus, but it takes time.

I also listened to the Charlie Rose interview and what she said is the influenza in Mexico responds to Tamiflu, but in a seperate incident the virus also mutated into a drug resistant form...but she didn't go into where that strain is located or how they know it did that. Overuse and abuse of anti-viral drugs will only guarantee we see the drug resistant strain much sooner. I've never said not to use the meds, but to use them when you know for certain that you have the flu. My DS used Tamiflu in 2008 and it was a lifesaver. He broke his temperature quickly and had minimal respiratory issues, but he was diagnosed in the doctor's office with a positive rapid flu test.

ETA: You are right that there are hundreds of thousands of people who die from the flu every year, but everyone must remember that the flu vaccine is only as strong as whats put into it. The CDC follows trends, much like we are now watching New Zealand, and based on those trends in the world they recommend what types of the virus should be in the current vaccine. There are always changes in the germ world and that is why we still see influenza year after year...it is always mutating.

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

I had not given thought to all the migrant workers our local farms use. News tonight said they are holding the Visas of those not yet here. I can't help but think that there has to be unemployed individuals who could use this work...

 

[D L and K's Mom]

After I delivered DD #2 both my husband, and I came down with MRSA (antibiotic resistant staph infections).It was HE**. I would not wish that on anyone. Point being antibiotics are and continue to be over used and now diseases are becoming immune!!
I hope we will not see the anti viral meds being given out without a proper diagnosis so that this strain becomes resistant. I know it will be hard.

 

[ElizK]

Well, I gotta tell you. I kind of always wanted to start a thread that had a really high post count. Don't we all?? This wouldn't have been my 1st choice of subjects. Sigh.

Anyway, my DH did NOT withdraw my kids from school yesterday, and has not mentioned it again since (though I really think it's just a matter of time). Perhaps the wall-eyed FIT that I threw had something to do with it. I keep waiting for that shoe to drop. DD17 has already said that her daddy will have a very resentful and rebellious teen on his hands if he does that. I gave her a bit of a hard time about the comment, but I totally understand what she's saying.

Want to know how sick of the subject I am? I had a flat tire this morning. I was THRILLED to have the diversion! 4 new tires and 2 new rims later.... anyway, I digress.

So I'm walking a fine line here. I want to be knowledgable and informed, and I want to be cautious, but I don't think withdrawing from life is what is called for yet. DH is driving me CRAZY!!


eta...and I'm totally not telling him that one of my managers got back yesterday from a vacation in Acapulco, connecting in Mexico City. Nope, not gonna do it.

 

["Got Disney"]

I had not given thought to all the migrant workers our local farms use. News tonight said they are holding the Visas of those not yet here. I can't help but think that there has to be unemployed individuals who could use this work...

There not doing that here in Ca. If ya dont look sick you are fine to come over even if you are just visiting friends and family. I find this a little funny only because you can only get it at this point if you were in contact with someone who has been to Mexico, or someone that has been in contact from someone that was in Mexico and got it. They can look fine today but tomorrow they may not. So they let them over not knowing that they were infected.

So than ...yes it is here but we are trying to contain it. Is not letting anyone that has a work card come and go to work in and out of Mexico make it for a worse situation. I mean sure lets keep schools closed but the borders open. to anyone that wants to come through.

My chiropractors office staff are all from Mexico and travel everyday from Mexico to here on there work program card. Say they are ill and dont know it yet and are in the office with his 50+ or more patients a day....are they not exposing everyone that will in turn expose the ones they come around and so on and so on.....but gee lets just close the school if one child tests positive. The heck with our borders...

I get why they dont want to stop supplys but they can stop workers and the ones that say...gee I think I'll visit my mom today. It's always a 2 hr wait at the border everyday to get into the US from workers not to mention the ones that walk over and take the trolly or bus to their destinations, do you realize how many that is.....funny ...you can drive back into Mexico without a problem. And we have 2 borders here in San Diego....we also have Texas. I guarantee that there are some of those people that are/will come infected and will be making our efforts of containing things harder. As they stop for gas and touch the nozzle or stop at 7 eleven and touch the slurpee machine or refrigerators or whhere ever they go ...it will make it harder to contain.... All seems political to me.

 

[Vixen]

there are 3 suspected cases here in nicaragua just saw it in breaking news