Swine Flu - General Discussion and how it affects Disney

[Toad_Passenger]

You know what really bothers me...The media seems like all they are focused on is how much its spreading..yeah well we know that? Can't they ease the fear of Americans a little and start focusing on the TREATMENT for this flu. It would make me feel a lot better knowing even through this flu is going around that there is still some kind of postive end rather than its saying 'its getting worse'

You are 100% right on these counts. That's why you need to listen to the daily CDC & WHO updates. The CDC just spent an hour answering public questions and concerns and it was great to hear what they had to say. They basically said that they know the numbers are going to grow, and there will probably be deaths, since the regular flu causes deaths. However they spent a bulk of the time talking about how Tamiflu & Relenza are working, how we have plenty in our strategic stockpile to cover the worst-case scenarios, and how they've rolled out mobile labs that are already working on getting the necessary data to create a vaccine.

Of course do you think the news will pick that up? Nope, they'll talk about 25 more "possible" cases that are standing outside your window, breathing their germs into your living room!!!

 

[Jonnygib]

http://www.latimes.com/features/health/la-sci-swine-reality30-2009apr30,0,3606923.story

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

You are 100% right on these counts. That's why you need to listen to the daily CDC & WHO updates. The CDC just spent an hour answering public questions and concerns and it was great to hear what they had to say. They basically said that they know the numbers are going to grow, and there will probably be deaths, since the regular flu causes deaths. However they spent a bulk of the time talking about how Tamiflu & Relenza are working, how we have plenty in our strategic stockpile to cover the worst-case scenarios, and how they've rolled out mobile labs that are already working on getting the necessary data to create a vaccine.

Of course do you think the news will pick that up? Nope, they'll talk about 25 more "possible" cases that are standing outside your window, breathing their germs into your living room!!!

I know! I was at the gym this morning and saw this little guy next to me. I kind of freaked out!

 

[avahoneybee]

One thing is for certain, I am off the bacon for a while.

 

[WeLoveLilo05]

Did anyone hear the Vice President on the Today show. He said he would tell his family members not to fly on a plane or get in confined spaces. Those who think people are crazy for being concerned may not know as much about the situation as the people in charge. It is all about your risk tolerance, and that is a personal choice. I'm not trying to scare anyone, but lets not make fun of people who are concerned.

I heard this too, I think the people on the Today show were a little shocked at what he said and was wondering if he would rephrase that....

But in my opinion...sitting in a small classroom with 25 other students for 3 hours is considered to me anyways, a confined space so are we supposed to do? not go to school? Especially since I had one person sitting next to me today who could not go a minute without coughing!! I was so disgusted! I was like holy cow, why come?!?! Why infect me with whatever you have?!?!
If anyone feels sick, has a fever, is throwing up....stay home please!

 

[luckytobeme88]

In our county, there are 3 confirmed cases and they are all high schoolers. Most cases involve younger adults unlike any fatalities from seasonal influenza which usually occurs in the very young and the elders. Am I scare? NO. Do I care? You bet! Especially when I have a 17 year old in school.

 

[Crisgw]

One thing is for certain, I am off the bacon for a while.

You CANNOT get it from eating pork products. I don't know how many times this has been said!

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

Also stated how important is to WASH YOUR HANDS!!

That can't be emphasized enough. WASH YOUR HANDS!!!!!!!

Also, make sure to keep hand sanitizer on you at all times. Don't touch door handles, railings, shake hands, etc ... That is the easiest way to spread this virus.

Go and have a magical trip!

We live in Texas and they don't even want us standing near people. ALL HS sporting events have been canceled. I assume professional sports will be next if the virus continues to spread. A local major School District closed today (Fort Worth ISD, 80,000 students) for a week and a half while they completely clean the schools and buses.

Jennifer

 

[asktriplets]

So I just heard that SC has 10 confirmed cases. Are these 10 kids from the marching band that was in WDW? If so, has anyone heard anything regarding WDW?

 

[mamalle]

MIAMI (AP) -- At least 20 suspected swine flu cases have been identified in South Florida, but officials stress that more testing is needed for any confirmation.

Miami-Dade County health officials announced Wednesday that 20 samples were sent to a state lab for testing. Cases in Broward County were also sent to the lab, but health officials would not give a number of cases.

The case of an Orlando tourist who recently visited a Disney theme park is also being tested. There are no confirmed cases in Florida.

The World Health Organization has issued a Phase 5 alert suggesting a worldwide pandemic could be imminent.

latest here in south fla. I was talking to some doctors this am about how nothing has emerged from our lovely state and we were shocked. Now this.. last week all of the 3rd grade classes from dd's school went to seaworld. I didnt let her go for other reasons than the flu but Im keeping a eye on the Orlando thing now esp since that band from SC is showing signs of the flu..

 

[avahoneybee]

You CANNOT get it from eating pork products. I don't know how many times this has been said!

It was a joke.

There have been several segments shot from INSIDE a pig pen. Just turns me off.

 

[ntsammy5]

Interesting reading if you're interested - sorry if this has been posted already


http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/04/30/ep.swine.flu.questions.answers/index.html

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

You CANNOT get it from eating pork products. I don't know how many times this has been said!

I know. All those poor pigs in Egypt. We ate bacon last night for dinner (breakfast for dinner night ). I think that is why they are trying to call it H1N1 virus now, Even Obama is his speech last night was referring to it as H1N1 as opposed to Swine Flu.

From a UK site:

How do humans catch it?
Swine flu spreads to people in two ways. They can acquire the virus after being in contact with infected pigs or areas where the pigs have been – which is only likely to happen in Mexico – or they can catch it from an infected person. The disease spreads in the same way as human flu, by inhaling airborne particles from coughs and sneezes, or by touching a contaminated surface and then touching the nose or mouth.

Jennifer

 

[maroo]

Yes, seasonal flus can be deadly, especially for the very old and the very young, or those with compromised immune symptoms.
do you know much about the spanish flu in 1918? was there anything different about that flu and seasonal flus, in terms of the fatalities? Does this swine flu seem to share any similarities with that flu, at least in the first few days of what we know from Mexico?

In other words, are the fatalities mostly the very young or old, as in typical seasonal flus, or has it been more people 20-40 like the spanish flu?

Is that it is a "new flu" really the only issue of concern here?


ok, I am packing this tablet for the trip to wdw. see you later.

They noted in the House of Rep public hearing today that the cases did involve fatalities in middle age people, which they called "concerning" but they also said that it is very early in the process and they simply don't have the data yet to really answer the question.

They also said the "average age" for the people "confirmed" so far had an "average age" of 22.

But the confirmed numbers are so low right now that it is just really hard to tell.

This time next week they should know more about transmission, numbers, etc.

 

[5littleindians]

All school sporting events have been cancelled here (in Alabama) too. They are doing this even though we don't have a single confirmed case - a few probably though. We leave in less than a week. I plan to bring masks just in the unlikely event that someone on our ship gets sick and we can't get away!

 

[Jamie77]

My biggest concern living in the Orlando area is the number of Hispanic people living in the area and working for Disney. Many of them, I'm sure, have close ties to Mexico. It would only take one to make a visit to Mexico and return to this area, to bring the illness here.

Okay? That's exactly what I wanted to say but wasn't sure how to say it.

I had a mental image of spraying Lysol in my room as I walked in and everytime I get back to my room. Who knows how much coughing and sneezing goes on while somebody is cleaning your room? I'd much rather leave the DO NOT DISTURB sign on my door the entire time I'm there if that's going to be the case.

 

[my2disneyboys]

Is the general consensious that this will not affect crowds or airfare? I was kinda selfishly hoping people would stay away in fear of the swine flu

Out of all these posts is anyone scheduled to go this week and NOT??? I am hoping that this will make for low crowds too!!

 

[GraceLuvsWDW]

Sorry, I don't mean to snipe at anyone here. But if I wanted to hole myself up in the house in order to avoid some calamity (social or personal), swine flu would be #7965 on the list. I'm sure I'm in more danger of being harmed by some twit on cell phone while driving than I am of contracting swine flu.

All of these types of posts, which seem to be the majority here, are exactly why I am at home right now! While your immune system is healthy and able to fight off the flu easily, the immune suppressed people are at your careless mercy when you go around spreading your "mild flu" germs.

Ok, I guess this is all a farce! Go to WDW! Let us know how it goes!

Why even ask for the Tamiflu at all? I have a better chance of dying from a twit on cell phone! Nevermind that common sense (much less every gov't official) says it's a big deal.

My community is in the middle of a major outbreak due to the selfish approach like this! Yes, we're better able to handle any virus these days, medicine has come a long way. And we have respirators. But people, don't ignore the health warnings and go about your life business as usual. Your going to spread this further and then those of us with June trips won't be able to go either because we'll all still be spreading it around! They're trying to stop the spread! Let's all help out here, if only for those that could be seriously harmed by a "mild flu".

Sorry! My perspective is a little different here. We have 140 cases in my small community!
I'm at home and not ashamed to say it! Gasp, I'm actually following the directive of our health officials and trying to stay healthy.

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

All school sporting events have been cancelled here (in Alabama) too. They are doing this even though we don't have a single confirmed case - a few probably though. We leave in less than a week. I plan to bring masks just in the unlikely event that someone on our ship gets sick and we can't get away!

They should be pretty diligent on the cruise ship. They have hand sanitizers at the entrance of every restaurant. Just don't expect to serve yourself. There was an outbreak of norovirus while we cruised with Disney and the next day ... no more self-serve ice cream, soda or the buffet. There were CMs helping out everywhere. They were really great about it.

Jennifer

 

[maroo]

So I just heard that SC has 10 confirmed cases. Are these 10 kids from the marching band that was in WDW? If so, has anyone heard anything regarding WDW?

I wondered that same thing?

Does anyone know? I know this thread is moving fast.