Swine Flu - General Discussion and how it affects Disney

[praline3001]

Be responsible ,but be cautious.Please people stop feeding the fear.We have had a lot of people in my hospital ED in the last 24 hrs.very paranoid ,very scared and not even remotely sick with the flu( mostly seasonal allergies,colds,asthma) NO fevers ,resp symptoms,vomiting or diarrhea. This presents a huge people for us Nurses and Drs trying to take care of people.If our attentions,times, and resources are devoted to try and calm the panicked masses, we will not be there when it is going to be necessary, and something will get missed or overlooked. USE COMMON SENSE. Get info and updates from WHO and CDC. Know the signs and symptoms of FLU, and practice universal precautions.If you think that it is the flu, by all means come on in to your local ED. Don't come in with a runny nose, itchy watery eyes and no fever no other FLU symptoms.

You know up until yesterday I would totally agree with you... BUT here are my thoughts ~ IF more people were scared and more people took this serious and took steps towards preventing them getting the flu ~ then this thing would die out a heck of a lot faster. If nobody is worried/concerned then they are not taking the proper steps towards reducing their risks of catching it. FEAR is the biggest motivator to make people sit up and listen and ACT. I would much rather a 100 people in the hospital who didn't have the flu but were not sure and wanted to play it safe rather than a 100 people out running around (or at Disney) in the public who HAVE this flu but refuse to stay home as its no big deal.

 

[RMulieri]

You know up until yesterday I would totally agree with you... BUT here are my thoughts ~ IF more people were scared and more people took this serious and took steps towards preventing them getting the flu ~ then this thing would die out a heck of a lot faster. If nobody is worried/concerned then they are not taking the proper steps towards reducing their risks of catching it. FEAR is the biggest motivator to make people sit up and listen and ACT. I would much rather a 100 people in the hospital who didn't have the flu but were not sure and wanted to play it safe rather than a 100 people out running around (or at Disney) in the public who HAVE this flu but refuse to stay home as its no big deal.

But see , when all our resources are diverted elsewhere, to deal with things that are not the flu.It is making it that much harder for me to do my job and help those that need it, or really have the flu.If everyone starts flooding hospitals unneccessarily, more people will suffer and die. We have to treat every case seriously.If I spend 2 hrs on a pt with a cold someone with the flu is sitting in the waiting room, not getting treatment, and infecting everyone else. No one is saying to not be cautious. But if you have NONE of the Flu like symptoms described in the news, you don't need to be in the ED.Call your MD and make an appt, or come in if something changes.FEAR is not only a motivator, it causes PANIC. Panic causes mistakes and things to get missed.I am sure nobody would want their loved one to miss getting help for the actual Swine flu because 50 people with a runny nose and itchy eyes panicked and flooded the ED. There is also the very powerful power of suggestion, people can actually force themselves out of panic to exhibit symptoms that are not real.Again requiring more time and resources

 

[Toad_Passenger]

You know up until yesterday I would totally agree with you... BUT here are my thoughts ~ IF more people were scared and more people took this serious and took steps towards preventing them getting the flu ~ then this thing would die out a heck of a lot faster. If nobody is worried/concerned then they are not taking the proper steps towards reducing their risks of catching it. FEAR is the biggest motivator to make people sit up and listen and ACT. I would much rather a 100 people in the hospital who didn't have the flu but were not sure and wanted to play it safe rather than a 100 people out running around (or at Disney) in the public who HAVE this flu but refuse to stay home as its no big deal.

I think you may have missed the point, though? If the Doctors are using all of their resources to quell a panic, they may not be available to treat an ACTUAL case of the H1N1 flu. People are running to the hospital with a runny nose, not realizing that the presence of a fever 100+ is one of the crucial symptoms.

It's all about the allocation of necessary resources, and fear-mongering clogs up the system.

 

[RMulieri]

I think you may have missed the point, though? If the Doctors are using all of their resources to quell a panic, they may not be available to treat an ACTUAL case of the H1N1 flu. People are running to the hospital with a runny nose, not realizing that the presence of a fever 100+ is one of the crucial symptoms.

It's all about the allocation of necessary resources, and fear-mongering clogs up the system.

EXACTLY How do I treat the person sick contamintaing the ER that may have flu when I am treating 50 back in triage with no flu symptoms, but are panicked.
? I don't. Things will get missed. Not to mention 50 people that don't need it are now admitted to a bed.What happens when all the hospitals are full with no beds? We can no longer treat patients.

 

[praline3001]

But see , when all our resources are diverted elsewhere, to deal with things that are not the flu.It is making it that much harder for me to do my job and help those that need it, or really have the flu.If everyone starts flooding hospitals unneccessarily, more people will suffer and die. We have to treat every case seriously.If I spend 2 hrs on a pt with a cold someone with the flu is sitting in the waiting room, not getting treatment, and infecting everyone else. No one is saying to not be cautious. But if you have NONE of the Flu like symptoms described in the news, you don't need to be in the ED.Call your MD and make an appt, or come in if something changes.FEAR is not only a motivator, it causes PANIC. Panic causes mistakes and things to get missed.I am sure nobody would want their loved one to miss getting help for the actual Swine flu because 50 people with a runny nose and itchy eyes panicked and flooded the ED. There is also the very powerful power of suggestion, people can actually force themselves out of panic to exhibit symptoms that are not real.Again requiring more time and resources

I see where your coming from .. in a perfect world in a perfect world ...
BUT reality says we have 2 types of people
1. those who will get scared and do what they can to prevent the spread (and sadly this side of the spectrum will be cluttering the Er for every sniffle) or the type that doesn't care and will send their kid to school with the flu.
Out of those 2 types ~ I much prefer the ones to be scared. The flu hasn't hit our area yet. My kids' school nurse came in to their classrooms yesterday and had a little refresher course on hand washing and blowing noses and how germs spread. Did it scare the kids? I sure hope so! Fear is a VERY powerful motivator! If enough people fear this spread they will do more to prevent it ~ when they use a bathroom they are much more likely to remember to wash their hands ~

For those that do run to the ER for every sniffle ... that is a sad side effect I know. I would have to be on death's door before I went to any ER at this time
That's WHERE THE FLU IS PEOPLE SO IF YOU AINTE SURE YOU WILL BE SURE YOU HAVE IT ONCE YOU LEAVE THE ER

Given the choice of scared motivated people or people who don't care and aren't take preventive measures ~ I choose the scared ones!

There is only a small % of people who are highly educated in this world. Thankfully I am one of them and realize I can still be concerned and take preventative measures without freaking out ~ but sometimes freaking out is what it takes to get the masses motivated!

 

[Dippy the Goof]

You know up until yesterday I would totally agree with you... BUT here are my thoughts ~ IF more people were scared and more people took this serious and took steps towards preventing them getting the flu ~ then this thing would die out a heck of a lot faster. If nobody is worried/concerned then they are not taking the proper steps towards reducing their risks of catching it. FEAR is the biggest motivator to make people sit up and listen and ACT. I would much rather a 100 people in the hospital who didn't have the flu but were not sure and wanted to play it safe rather than a 100 people out running around (or at Disney) in the public who HAVE this flu but refuse to stay home as its no big deal.

If you have a fever, body aches, cough, sore throat, then by all means go to the doctor. But people are going in for the allergy sympstoms. Itchy, watery eyes, sniffles, etc. I've never mistaken allergies or a common cold for the flu. People need to use common sense. The symptoms of this strain of flu are the same as the seasonal flu. We shouldn't be flooding the ERs and possibly keep someone else from receiving the immediate medical attention that they need.

 

[praline3001]

I agree its dumb to run to the ER for every sniffle.
I also agree its dumb to send your kids to school with a fever.

With the masses its really one or the other ~
they don't do "caution" very well in our society

So given the choice between those 2 options, I would rather them be scared than not care.

Of course I am saying this because it hasn't reached my area yet LOL

 

[lugnut33]

I see where your coming from .. in a perfect world in a perfect world ...
BUT reality says we have 2 types of people
1. those who will get scared and do what they can to prevent the spread (and sadly this side of the spectrum will be cluttering the Er for every sniffle) or the type that doesn't care and will send their kid to school with the flu.
Out of those 2 types ~ I much prefer the ones to be scared. The flu hasn't hit our area yet. My kids' school nurse came in to their classrooms yesterday and had a little refresher course on hand washing and blowing noses and how germs spread. Did it scare the kids? I sure hope so! Fear is a VERY powerful motivator! If enough people fear this spread they will do more to prevent it ~ when they use a bathroom they are much more likely to remember to wash their hands ~

For those that do run to the ER for every sniffle ... that is a sad side effect I know. I would have to be on death's door before I went to any ER at this time
That's WHERE THE FLU IS PEOPLE SO IF YOU AINTE SURE YOU WILL BE SURE YOU HAVE IT ONCE YOU LEAVE THE ER

Given the choice of scared motivated people or people who don't care and aren't take preventive measures ~ I choose the scared ones!

There is only a small % of people who are highly educated in this world. Thankfully I am one of them and realize I can still be concerned and take preventative measures without freaking out ~ but sometimes freaking out is what it takes to get the masses motivated!

I heard Fox is selling the "Super Freak-out Package"?

Hamdemic!!

 

[praline3001]

I heard Fox is selling the "Super Freak-out Package"?

Hamdemic!!

GOOD!

Maybe it will scare enough people into making sure they contain it before it gets near me

 

[Toad_Passenger]

I heard Fox is selling the "Super Freak-out Package"?

Hamdemic!!

I love Fox News for pure entertainment value. They were the ones yesterday who had the anchor who said, "So now we've got a guy with swine flu roaming through Disney World! Who knows how many people could get it now."

 

[jewelmicky]

Believe me....the LAST place you want to go if you have a cold or allergies right now is an ER because you think you have the swine flu. It is the place you are most likely to CATCH it! Everytime I work down there I get sick. If you do not have the fever, it is probably allergies. I know, mine are kickin' right now.

We leave Friday and my DD and I are red nosed and sniffly. I hope they don't try to quarantine us at the airport!

I like the Lysol idea.....I plan on taking a big can and spraying the whole room. Other then that, everyone is right about handwashing and such. I think this thing will die out soon....but may resurface in the fall. I also heard that one of the reasons Mexico city was hit so hard is the pollution level. This makes sense, if your lungs are already compromised from a chronic conditition (asthma, bronchitis, pollution, smoking, etc.) you may have a more severe reaction.

We do need to keep this in prespective. There are thousands of people who die each year from complications of the flu. There are even more who die from cigerette smoke....it doesn't say that on the death Cert. It will most likely say pneumonia or sepsis.

Awareness and caution will go along way to keeping people safe.

 

[praline3001]

Awareness and caution will go along way to keeping people safe.

I totally agree! BUT whoever is reading this is on a computer, reading and writing in complete sentences (for the most part he he) that puts you in the top 50% of educated Americans. Seriously ~

The *masses* I am speaking of have never spent all night googling stuff

These masses do not do caution well.. it has been proven time and again through history. We are an all or nothing kind of nation.

Most would not know what awareness and caution is. They either are motivated through fear or they could care less. I much rather the masses be motivated by fear rather than spreading this flu around worse.

 

[BC1836]

The most commonly touched objects in WDW are the finger-ID scanners at all park entrances. A quick splash of hand sanitizer upon immediate entrance to the parks is a helpful, healthy move no matter what day of the year it is or what the pervasive medical concern is. We are not suggesting WDW install dispensers at each entrance; however, a small portable dispenser should be a part of each guest's/family's on-site possessions.

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

I love Fox News for pure entertainment value. They were the ones yesterday who had the anchor who said, "So now we've got a guy with swine flu roaming through Disney World! Who knows how many people could get it now."

Consider the source.

The sad thing....people believe what they say on Fox News.

Frightening!

 

[praline3001]

The most commonly touched objects in WDW are the finger-ID scanners at all park entrances. A quick splash of hand sanitizer upon immediate entrance to the parks is a helpful, healthy move no matter what day of the year it is or what the pervasive medical concern is. We are not suggesting WDW install dispensers at each entrance; however, a small portable dispenser should be a part of each guest's/family's on-site possessions.

I DO think WDW should set up dispensers! They have them on cruises! Why not before entering dining places or entering the parks? On a cruise at the entrance of EVERY single dining establishment are dispensers along with them being all over the ship. They should put them up at the exit of every ride!!!! It would remind people to use them and MANY illnesses could be prevented this way

 

[Skyw]

We leave Friday and my DD and I are red nosed and sniffly. I hope they don't try to quarantine us at the airport!

.

My son is too!!! Stuffy nose and my eyes are watering!!!! I am worried about getting messed with at the airport too. We either have allergies or a cold. Sometimes I can't tell. But No fever!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[thepowellslovedisney]

Believe me....the LAST place you want to go if you have a cold or allergies right now is an ER because you think you have the swine flu. It is the place you are most likely to CATCH it! Everytime I work down there I get sick. If you do not have the fever, it is probably allergies. I know, mine are kickin' right now.

We leave Friday and my DD and I are red nosed and sniffly. I hope they don't try to quarantine us at the airport!

I like the Lysol idea.....I plan on taking a big can and spraying the whole room. Other then that, everyone is right about handwashing and such. I think this thing will die out soon....but may resurface in the fall. I also heard that one of the reasons Mexico city was hit so hard is the pollution level. This makes sense, if your lungs are already compromised from a chronic conditition (asthma, bronchitis, pollution, smoking, etc.) you may have a more severe reaction.

We do need to keep this in prespective. There are thousands of people who die each year from complications of the flu. There are even more who die from cigerette smoke....it doesn't say that on the death Cert. It will most likely say pneumonia or sepsis.

Awareness and caution will go along way to keeping people safe.

Thank you for posting this. Truthfully I am highly educated but I am still a little nervous only because I am pregnant and I have a 2 year old and 4 year old. We are leaving very soon. I am so frustrated with this piggy flu! I do not want this to ruin our last vacation before our daughter comes along. I asked the OB about going to DW and he said, "Have a good time and stay off any rides with g-forces." I am planning to bring lysol and hand sanitizer and hopefully my wits about me. But I really feel like, enough already! Aren't you more likely to get the regular flu and die? I just need some sanity. I appreciate your sober perspective. There are amplifiers (fox new ) and dampers in the world and right now I am looking for dampers. Again, thanks.

 

[jewelmicky]

I think the parks at WDW should have hand wipe guards at ALL entrances to ALL restaurants and attractions....like they do on the cruise ships. On the ships I was a little taken aback the first time...they would hand you a wipe and WATCH you use it and throw it away before allowing you in the dining room.

 

[praline3001]

I think the parks at WDW should have hand wipe guards at ALL entrances to ALL restaurants and attractions....like they do on the cruise ships. On the ships I was a little taken aback the first time...they would hand you a wipe and WATCH you use it and throw it away before allowing you in the dining room.

When I was on RC, they had automatic dispensers. They had crew members at each one. You didn't have to touch anything ~ just put your hand under it and gel would squirt out. They didn't *MAKE YOU* use them but boy that crew member would kindly remind you and give you a stern look if you didn't

 

[Toad_Passenger]

My son is too!!! Stuffy nose and my eyes are watering!!!! I am worried about getting messed with at the airport too. We either have allergies or a cold. Sometimes I can't tell. But No fever!!!!!!!!!!!

I live in a state which has not had any problems whatsoever, but I do have allergies. I was at the grocery store and I was coughing a bit from my sinus drippage, and I felt slightly embarrassed, because I'm sure people were looking at me wondering, "Uh-oh, why is that guy coughing?"