Swine Flu - General Discussion and how it affects Disney

[MelanieC]

Couldn't agree more - I expected the number of 'extremely afraid' based on years of reading what people are willing shlep into the theme parks everyday in case of a park emergency but I am shocked by the number of people mocking concerned parties. Mocking isn't even the word- it's far more 'virulent' and mean spirited - and so very, very self-righteous.

.

I agree-

While there is no need to panic yet - there is a need to watch. This can explode quickly. And just because only people from Mexico have died, doesn't mean that within a few weeks we can't be seeing 100's dead here too. To act like oh well the regular flu kills people too - this is true, but we are not talking about the regular flu. I think everyone should watch and be cautious now.

I'm not doing anything differently right now - heck my DH and DD17 are at a Philly's game tonight. I will go to work, my kids to school, to the store and about normal business as usual.

But - you can guarantee I'm watching this. I think you'd be silly not too. I bet if this changes and people start dying left and right -then people will quickly change their tunes.

If this was just like the regular flu - the CDC and the WHO wouldn't be talking about this right now. I think that if people are worried, let them worry in a way that works for them. If your not worried, don't beat up the people who are. There is a place for everyone here. Those that aren't worried, those that are and those that fall anywhere in between.

I fall somewhere in between. It will in no way affect what I do now because at the moment there isn't anything to worry about. But I will be watching this and I'm willing to be open if things turn to protect my family.

 

[lovemyguys]

I agree-

While there is no need to panic yet - there is a need to watch. This can explode quickly. And just because only people from Mexico have died, doesn't mean that within a few weeks we can't be seeing 100's dead here too. To act like oh well the regular flu kills people too - this is true, but we are not talking about the regular flu. I think everyone should watch and be cautious now.

I'm not doing anything differently right now - heck my DH and DD17 are at a Philly's game tonight. I will go to work, my kids to school, to the store and about normal business as usual.

But - you can guarantee I'm watching this. I think you'd be silly not too. I bet if this changes and people start dying left and right -then people will quickly change their tunes.

If this was just like the regular flu - the CDC and the WHO wouldn't be talking about this right now. I think that if people are worried, let them worry in a way that works for them. If your not worried, don't beat up the people who are. There is a place for everyone here. Those that aren't worried, those that are and those that fall anywhere in between.

I fall somewhere in between. It will in no way affect what I do now because at the moment there isn't anything to worry about. But I will be watching this and I'm willing to be open if things turn to protect my family.

 

[maroo]

Couldn't agree more - I expected the number of 'extremely afraid' based on years of reading what people are willing shlep into the theme parks everyday in case of a park emergency but I am shocked by the number of people mocking concerned parties. Mocking isn't even the word- it's far more 'virulent' and mean spirited - and so very, very self-righteous.

My daughter came down with a fever and flu symptoms at school today - she was in NYC on a school trip all day Saturday - the school nurse advised calling the pediatrician and he had her come in to be tested based on her presentation of symptoms and the NYC trip - we're expecting (negative) results tomorrow. Let it be your child and see how you feel with that thought of what-if for a minute. I know that, thankfully, her chance of having swine flu or any kind of flu are minimal (because I'm not stupid or ignorant or ill-informed or a hypochondriac) but I also know we did the right and RESPONSIBLE thing for our daughter and her classmates.

And, even if it turns out to be 'nothing' and you don't believe it's real it will still have an immediate impact on people's Disney vacations - from longer security lines at the airports to people potentially being denied boarding and it deserves to be discussed on the DIS.

You are so right. There is middle ground. I started this thread before we even knew about cases in NYC. I had NO idea that this would be as serious as it seems now?

All of the comparison to SARS, anthrax and other "hyped" things - and yet, the WHO level was never raised. This is the first time it has been raised since they created the rating system.

Definitely warrants watching and will affect Disney no matter what. I am curious to know the effects. I am not worried about getting it. I am just curious about what will happen with all of this.

I hope it goes away.

I hope your DD feels better soon!! I am sorry you have to deal with this at all! Several DISers have reported close contact/sick family that are being tested or voluntarily staying inside.

 

[MelanieC]

My daughter came down with a fever and flu symptoms at school today - she was in NYC on a school trip all day Saturday - the school nurse advised calling the pediatrician and he had her come in to be tested based on her presentation of symptoms and the NYC trip - we're expecting (negative) results tomorrow. Let it be your child and see how you feel with that thought of what-if for a minute. I know that, thankfully, her chance of having swine flu or any kind of flu are minimal (because I'm not stupid or ignorant or ill-informed or a hypochondriac) but I also know we did the right and RESPONSIBLE thing for our daughter and her classmates.

I hope your daughter comes back fine. How scary - I hope she is feeling better.

 

[Minnie Lor]

I'm confussed as to why people in Mexico are dying of this but people in the US are getting better. If it's the medicine why don't we send them some? Maybe that's too simple but I'm confused. Is it the same strain?

 

[luvthemouse71]

They cant quarentine a country and make you and the nation stay in their homes.

Oh, but they can..ever hear of martial law? The govenrment can impose quarantines and they can close the borders..

 

[PaulaSB12]

Hmmm, we had a horrible case of the flu about 3 weeks ago. Started with my youngest daugher with a fever, sore throat and body aches. Then moved on to my middle daughter with the same symptoms plus vomiting. We all ended up with it including my DH who hardly ever gets sick. He and I had it the worst and it took longer for us to recover. The body aches were nasty, you just couldn't get comfortable and felt like your joints were going to just kind of come apart or something. Now what was strange was that we always contract the flu around Christmas time in our area yet we all got sick the end of March/beginning of April. I'm wondering if we had a mild case of this swine flu thing then. We did not travel to Mexico though! I just thought it was interesting for us to get the flu so late in the season, you know? It was pretty nasty.

I and my mother had a nasty flu about the same time, it took much longer to get rid of than normal and I am only now feeling that its finally gone I have to admit to wondering. As for cancelling my trip I am booked for 21st September and will not do yet there is no need to panic yet. But the foreign office in the UK is now saying no travel to Mexico unless you really have to go


#

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised its Pandemic Threat Alert Phase to Level 4 (evidence of increased human to human transmission). See the WHO website at http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html for further details.
#

We are now advising against all but essential travel to Mexico.

 

[madisonwi]

I'm not that concerned:

Think about this- how many people in the US alone get the "regular" flu every year-
How many people in the US alone DIE from the "regular" flu every year.

Over 200,000 people are hospitalized from the regular flu each year and 36,000 die from flu/complications each year- yet this isn't news! It's all the media people.

 

[luvthemouse71]

I'm not that concerned:

Think about this- how many people in the US alone get the "regular" flu every year-
How many people in the US alone DIE from the "regular" flu every year.

Over 200,000 people are hospitalized from the regular flu each year and 36,000 die from flu/complications each year- yet this isn't news! It's all the media people.

And for the gazillionth time..the swine flu is different from regular flu..The big kicker is that it causes an immense overreaction from the immune system and targets the lungs. Also targets a different demographic-usually the elderly, small kids. This one targets people in their 20's, 30's and 40's. Also, they usually have a pretty good grasp on how any given seasonal flu virus will act..this one is somewhat of an unknown entity.

Like I said before, if you aren't concerned fine. But at least have the proper facts. Obviously, there at least something to be concerned about according to the CDC and the WHO.

 

[ClareH37]

It was on our news in the UK last night that the flu vaccine does in fact offer 'limited protection' as it contains part of the human strain that has been found in the new swine flu strain. It won't protect completely, or even 50%, but it does offer some sort of protection which will hopefully stop complications developing.

 

[dioxide45]

This just isn't true. Just because you know an illness exists, doesn't make you not covered. No you can't buy it if your already sick after seeing a doctor, but if you bought it for July knowing that the swine flu exists (because it does now). Lets just say you bought it today. And you are going 6/16/09. If you get the Swine flu on 6/15/09 you are covered if your insurance cover's illness (except pre-exisiting). When you bought today - you weren't sick. It doesn't matter if you were aware there was an illness or not.

Same goes for my trip in August. If I decide I want to buy travel insurance in July. Let's just say this stuff is still going around in August. Unless there is something that the insurance company adds that is just for the swine flu (like as of all insurances bought as of (fill in a date here) will not cover swine flu). I would be covered if someone got sick in August with this flu or any flu. Its not pre-existing to know an illness exists.

What they mean - if you are aware that you are already sick - not that if you are aware that an illness exists in the world. That would exlude all illness known to man except for something rare that would come out right before your trip.

One thing to note is that many travel insurance policies only cover expenses paid or reservations made within 30 days of purchasing the insurance. So if you bought your plane tickets 3 months ago, it is unlikely that they will cover those costs in the event you have to cancel.

They do this to prevent people from buying insurance if they paid for a trip and then find out it is very likely someone in their family may pass away so they buy insurance to reimburse them.

 

[66Tink]

Good morning everyone. I just found this on Travel Guard's website, it may or may not be helpful, but I am just throwing it out there for you all to read:

Hot Topic: Swine Flu & Travel Insurance
No matter where you are traveling, it is important to prepare for the unexpected. As a leader in travel safety, security and relevant travel information, Travel Guard is advising its customers to take precautions when traveling to areas recently affected by the swine flu outbreak. While in no way do we want to minimize the seriousness of this outbreak, our first concern is for our customers to remember to take precautions, and as with any health advisory, be prepared, but not panicked.

For customers planning future travel, we advise you to call Travel Guard for periodic updates with respect to the destination to which you are traveling. For clients who are currently on a trip, we advise you to practice good health habits in order to help prevent the spread of germs. Contact Travel Guard immediately at 1-800-826-1300 to coordinate medical care if you start feeling sick.

If you purchased a Travel Guard plan with the optional "Cancel for Any Reason" coverage, you could cancel your trip and receive the benefits outlined in the policy. With a typical travel insurance plan that does not include Cancel for Any Reason coverage, cancellation due to fear of contracting the virus while traveling would not be a covered reason for cancellation. Additionally, a number of travel insurance plans through Travel Guard do include coverage for trip interruption and travel delay if a traveler is quarantined to an area because of possible contact with the swine flu. Regardless of where you are traveling, it is important to make certain that you purchase a comprehensive travel insurance plan that includes travel delay, trip interruption, medical expense and emergency medical evacuation coverages as well as 24/7 emergency medical and travel assistance so that if you need to seek medical attention, Travel Guard can assist in getting you the most adequate medical care in the area you are traveling.

If you have purchased a plan or are considering purchasing a Travel Guard plan, we encourage you to call our 24/7 call center with questions.

For more information on traveling to affected areas, visit the following pages:
http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/contentSwineFluTravel.aspx
http://travel.latimes.com/daily-deal-blog/index.php/swine-flu-7-things-t-4427



Questions? Call us at 1.800.826.4919

 

[RMulieri]

They cant quarentine a country and make you and the nation stay in their homes.

Sure they can if they declare Martial Law. They can do anything they want then.I know Iwould cower in my home if men in military were telling me Martial Law has been declared.Anything CAN happen, but is it PROBABLE, not really

 

[RMulieri]

This is not like the regular flu. One of the main reasons the CDC is nervous is because they are not sure what to expect it is hitting everyone. But one of the main reasons it is is because unlike the seasonal Flu NO ONE has been vaccinated, since there are no vaccines. The unknown factor is what has the WHO and the CDC worried. There are also very valid and true points that the people that are confirmed cases are the cases REPORTED and already recovered. My bet is the number is far higher already, just not reported or tested.Many people simply do not go to the dr's.

 

[mamalle]

And for the gazillionth time..the swine flu is different from regular flu..The big kicker is that it causes an immense overreaction from the immune system and targets the lungs. Also targets a different demographic-usually the elderly, small kids. This one targets people in their 20's, 30's and 40's. Also, they usually have a pretty good grasp on how any given seasonal flu virus will act..this one is somewhat of an unknown entity.

exactly...some people just dont get it until it affects them.. I lost track how many healthy otherwise adults came in this past weekend with a viral stomach flu that were sick, sick, sick..We are going to start seeing ones here in the US with more severe symptoms and worseing pneumonia for sure. This one has me worried. As a nurse and a mom of 2... I have been preaching to mine about good hand washing forever but more so this time..

 

[KimDis]

Kinda glad now that I cancelled my Memorial Day Cancun trip a few weeks ago because I didn't have enough time off to go to both there AND Disney in July.

 

[Toad_Passenger]

I know that some people will see the news that they are raising the numbers and think the worst, but I just read that Mexico City is reporting that the number of "new" cases they are seeing has been dropping over the past few days. Certainly as test come back we will see more people who had this Flu, but by the times the tests come back it seems that these people have already recovered, so those numbers aren't going to mean much.

I really think that the WHO & CDC put the right information out there quickly enough, and it seems people are following their advice and this thing may get contained. Whether or not it resurfaces in the Fall is a different story, but at this point I'm feeling very confident in what the world health community is doing. I can also say that I'm very confident in what our own Government has done in the US. Scientists quickly figured out what anti-virals work against this strain and have placed those in the hands of the states, so I say kudos to them!

It is unfortunate that the news media wants ratings and will add a lot of "fear mongering" in with their reports. If they would just put out the information and focus on that, we could reduce the number of people paralyzed with fear and increase the number of people being vigilant.

 

[ModestMouse]

I haven't watched the news much, but I did watch Nightline's coverage of this from Mexico City last night, and I don't think they were doing any fear-mongering. It was very straightforward. The theme was "be aware but don't panic"--which seems eminently sensible to me. It was a bit eerie to see normally busy streets in Mexico City nearly deserted, since so many people are staying home to wait this out.

The media is in a no-win situation. Some will say they fear monger, but if they don't report on this, and it explodes, then they failed in their journalistic duty. I suppose it's all in the style of the reporting.

 

[Lady V]

imagine the finger scans? if an infected person uses the scan in the morning.....gross!!! must remember to scan fingers and then use baby wipe instantly!!

 

[princessmom29]

As I am a biochemist I thought I would weight in here to give people a little reasurance. Swine ful is a different strain of the same virus that causes regular flu(influenza). Yes the disease processis a little dfeerent than normal flu, but it is no more deadly than normal flu in countries with adequate health care, and without the pollution problems present in Mexico City. The current discussion among my peers with experience with flu virus is that the increased death rate in Mexico is due in large part to poor healthcare combined with extremely high pollution levels which cause the lungs to be predisposed to pulmonary adema, or fluid buildup. The fact that ALL cases in developed countries have been relatively mild would support this theory. This particular strain of infulenza targets lung tissue moch more aggressively.