Swine Flu - General Discussion and how it affects Disney

[MEK]

As much of a hypochondriac I can be, I finally gave up caring about this. Early on it sounded scary, but start reading anything on the net and you start to notice facts were skewed and things just didn't really always add up. Between the dizzying amount of info and my own fears/stress, it just wore me out.

I can understand the panic at first as it is a new strain, but maybe people should've kept quiet until they found out what we now know a few days later--it's not the Spanish flu and it's likely no more potent than the annual strains that change every year, possibly even weaker. As it was, it's apparently been going on since the beginning of April and we didn't hear a peep until the very end. If anything, I do hope it starts an awareness in people that they need to be more vigilant about protecting themselves and others from contagious diseases. For example, while common in Asian countries to wear masks when sick as a common courtesy to others, forget it over here. Washing your hands frequently and sneezing/coughing into an elbow should be common sense, but it's somehow not.

Amen! Actually, if it does die out this spring, what health officials need to be concerned about is a second resurgence in the fall. If it occurs in the fall, it will affect greater numbers. That is why they are working on a vaccine now to include this strain. I was advised by an ID doc several years ago to have flu shots every year. So I always get one (get them free at work, cause I'm an NP), but always take my kids to the PCP, no matter how long the wait.

 

[WaltD4Me]

And another thought....

I know we aren't out of the woods just yet, and the Piggy Flu could still take a turn for the worse and be awful and all that, BUT, if it does blow over, don't you think the media will end up being like the boy who cried wolf?

I've heard that it is only a matter of time until there is a real pandemic. Avian Flu, for example, has the potential to be VERY lethal, and from what I have read, researchers think it could mutate to adapt to human-to-human transmission any flu season now, and be quite deadly.

Can we really take a media seriously if they freak out over EVERY. LITTLE. THING???? I already think many people aren't taking the current situation seriously because of the way the media freaked out over SARS, bird flu (before it even is able to go person-to-person), the terrorist threat levels, etc. I know outside of this message board in my real life, I have come in contact with very few people who give a flying crap about this virus. Most everyone I know roles their eyes at me and calls me a hypochondriac for even talking about it (they may be right, I know I am)

NBC, CNN, FOX, MSNBC, ABC, all of these organizations have a responsibility to the public. Major media hype for a situation that fizzles out, will only make an apathetic public if something truly sinister really does go down.

I have to say, while there was fear mongering and hype, I don't think this was entirely a little thing or that the media just took it and blew it out of propotion by themselves. They were getting dire reports from medical people, the WHO, the CDC, ect...the media wasn't recommending the school closures and giving press conferences about how serious this could be. In the beginning nobody knew how this would go. Cases are turning out to be mild here but it could have gone the other way. It could have been worse and if they media hadn't reported on it we would be complaining about that.

I'm not entirely defending the media, I understand and agree with what you are saying about them crying wolf and no one paying attention the next time, but I also don't think this was totally nothing and that they just took it and blew it all out of proportion themselves either.

 

[freaksloan]

I find it funny that the CDC and WHO give out these dire warnings, then the first thing they do is ask for more money.

I think the CDC asked for $1.5 Billion in funding.

It happens with all the government agencies. They are always screaming the sky is falling then ask for more money.

 

[WeLoveLilo05]

ok, now I just read on CNN that they swine flu count has risen to over 600 worldwide....
eeeeek! Not cool!
Are these past tests from weeks ago or are these current?
I thought this was fizzling out people, what is going on?

 

[ClareH37]

If you'd said 600,000 in the US alone I'd be like great, looks like my chances of getting flu again are increasing, but 600 worldwide?

Considering how many millions there are of us around the world I wouldn't be concerned about 600, it's going to go up and up and up, but I'm still not concerned at this stage - experts are saying it's even milder than seasonal flu It's if it mutates into something really nasty I'd be concerned.

 

[ntsammy5]

If you'd said 600,000 in the US alone I'd be like great, looks like my chances of getting flu again are increasing, but 600 worldwide?

Come on. Get concerned. Thats 0.000009% of the world population!!!!!

 

[oddBotkins]

Can I get some cheese with that S-Wine

 

[Dippy the Goof]

ok, now I just read on CNN that they swine flu count has risen to over 600 worldwide....
eeeeek! Not cool!
Are these past tests from weeks ago or are these current?
I thought this was fizzling out people, what is going on?

These are mostly backlogged tests from Mexico. There appear to not be any new spikes.

 

[rotlex]

ok, now I just read on CNN that they swine flu count has risen to over 600 worldwide....
eeeeek! Not cool!
Are these past tests from weeks ago or are these current?
I thought this was fizzling out people, what is going on?

We need to keep spreading the word that it's bad......and people REALLY need to stay away from WDW, especially in the later half of June. Late June is known to be really bad for the flu in WDW anyway.........

(Please check vacation counter widget below to see why I am recommending no one travel to WDW during the later half of June).

 

[katytrott]

- experts are saying it's even milder than seasonal flu

You know, I know people are only trying to help, but I am getting tired of people telling me "it's no worse then seasonal flu". Fact is, I don't want to have seasonal flu, particularly with such a young baby.

This would make my day if the above comment was true. Everywhere I have read says it is no WORSE then seasonal flu, so I would love to know where you got this info from. Like I said it would make my day (and my DH, I think he's getting fed up with me)

 

[CarolA]

ok, now I just read on CNN that they swine flu count has risen to over 600 worldwide....
eeeeek! Not cool!
Are these past tests from weeks ago or are these current?
I thought this was fizzling out people, what is going on?

At the current rate of expansion......

(Assuming 200 a week for entertainment.....)

We are looking at 1,530,000 weeks to give it to everyone in the US.

I am sorry but this post is one of those "let's panic because the media told us"???? SO????

But I agree with an earlier poster. Next week will be VERY bad at WDW. STAY HOME! (I will take the chance for the team and report back if I live)

 

[ClareH37]

You know, I know people are only trying to help, but I am getting tired of people telling me "it's no worse then seasonal flu". Fact is, I don't want to have seasonal flu, particularly with such a young baby.

This would make my day if the above comment was true. Everywhere I have read says it is no WORSE then seasonal flu, so I would love to know where you got this info from. Like I said it would make my day (and my DH, I think he's getting fed up with me)

I know it's easy to say, but please try not to get stressed about it, I completely understand what you are saying with a little baby. The media really is doing a great job of scaring the hell out of people. Here in the UK the more serious media are being very matter of fact and giving clear, concise information as much as they are able, I've posted a link to the BBC here with their information, now, some of the other media over here - well, you would really think the end is nigh. The WHO have also just announced there is no evidence of sustained spread outside North America, which is good positive news for the timebeing. Hopefully things will be under control in America very soon.

I had full blown seasonal flu when I was younger and I have serious auto immune conditions, I ended up being hospitalised and was very ill - there were no anti virals at that time but I made a full recovery, I'm still here

 

[GraceLuvsWDW]

I also want to think the media has been hyping this too much, but the pp who stated it isn't the media who's closing everything has a valid point.

Never in my lifetime, not for SARS, MERSA, Avian Flu, Sept 11, not for any of the major disasters in my lifetime have I EVER seen a school closed 10 days and cancel TAKS tests (exit level tests), the Prom, and never have I seen a city close all public parks, close Convention Centers, etc. I'd like to think my community is just "overreacting" but something still tells me that for a government to take such drastic measures they had to have some inside information that led them to believe that they must, at all costs, protect the population and stop the spread of this virus. The financial implications for such measures will be extremely harsh as I live in a tourist community.

I thought with all the latest news reports that the strain is "milder than previously anticipated" that they would reinstate school and open the city. but, on the contrary, in the last 36 hours they have closed more public areas and been more cautious with everyone.

I do not know governmental procedures for taking such a drastic stance but it just couldn't be over nothing.

 

[ntsammy5]

I do not know governmental procedures for taking such a drastic stance but it just couldn't be over nothing.

You have a much higher confidence level in the government than do I.

They're all a bunch of incompetent philanderers.

 

[praline3001]

At the current rate of expansion......

(Assuming 200 a week for entertainment.....)

We are looking at 1,530,000 weeks to give it to everyone in the US.

I am sorry but this post is one of those "let's panic because the media told us"???? SO????

But I agree with an earlier poster. Next week will be VERY bad at WDW. STAY HOME! (I will take the chance for the team and report back if I live)

Again NOT true. If you are going to report the facts PLEASE PLEASE report correct facts everyone.
Pandemics spread extremely fast. It works more like
20 week 1, 200 week 2, 2,000 week 3, 200,000 week 4.

I am not saying this to scare people BUT giving off false *expert opinions* is going to cause more rumors and fears or a false sense of security.

 

[praline3001]

I do not know governmental procedures for taking such a drastic stance but it just couldn't be over nothing.

Very easy to explain ...

The WHO are trying to get the word out and stop this flu BEFORE it adapts to its new human host. Right now its not a big deal BUT if it learns to adapt to humans then we are in trouble. If you look at the history of the 1918 pandemic with this flu, it first hit in the spring and it wasn't all that bad. The SECOND wave in the fall was the real killer.
In the 70's they had an outbreak and that particular virus fizzled out. Nobody knows if this virus is going to adapt or fizzle out. Any expert/non expert can shout to the roof tops what they think it will do ... but until it actually does fizzle out or adapt NOBODY knows for sure.

If IT DOES adapt chances are in the US we will still be fine. We have great drugs and hospitals BUT the WHO is a global organization and has to really concern itself with 3rd world countries. If this flu adapts it could wipe out half a country in the poor areas.

The leaders are ahead of the game instead of not saying anything UNTIL it adapts... people would be outraged if we didn't hear anything about this flu until WHO came on and said "The swine flu we knew about last spring has adapted and currently has killed 4 million people" I for one would be ticked off for them keeping that info from me until they thought I needed to know, kwim?

 

[lawlesslovewdw]

I would advise any parent planning on taking their children to WDW in the near future to read the posts below the news story in the link below. The one I just read at the top was quite disturbing. It is as follows:

"I'm sitting in our hotel room right now in Orlando. My 4 year old has a rash, has been vomitting all night, and has a 100 temp. We've been at Disney for the past 4 days."

http://www.naturalnews.com/026152.html

OMG what utter stupidity, We have spent over 97 days in WDW since nov 2005 and had no ill health whilst away!!! I would not like to guess the amount of nights at home the boys have been ill.
kids get ill end off. Could all the paranoid please stay home

 

[GraceLuvsWDW]

Very easy to explain ...

The WHO are trying to get the word out and stop this flu BEFORE it adapts to its new human host. Right now its not a big deal BUT if it learns to adapt to humans then we are in trouble. If you look at the history of the 1918 pandemic with this flu, it first hit in the spring and it wasn't all that bad. The SECOND wave in the fall was the real killer.
In the 70's they had an outbreak and that particular virus fizzled out. Nobody knows if this virus is going to adapt or fizzle out. Any expert/non expert can shout to the roof tops what they think it will do ... but until it actually does fizzle out or adapt NOBODY knows for sure.

If IT DOES adapt chances are in the US we will still be fine. We have great drugs and hospitals BUT the WHO is a global organization and has to really concern itself with 3rd world countries. If this flu adapts it could wipe out half a country in the poor areas.

The leaders are ahead of the game instead of not saying anything UNTIL it adapts... people would be outraged if we didn't hear anything about this flu until WHO came on and said "The swine flu we knew about last spring has adapted and currently has killed 4 million people" I for one would be ticked off for them keeping that info from me until they thought I needed to know, kwim?

If what you are saying is true wouldn't it be better to get the current strain and be immune than to stay healthy (and indoors away from people and close down whole cities) and have greater odds of catching the adapted strain in the fall??

 

[GraceLuvsWDW]

I don't mean to make light of this, you guys know I have vacillated back and forth over the past few days with the craziness in my city. BUT I am starting to think this is the greatest thing for my June trip. Sure, all of us die-hards are gonna be in the parks but the normal everyday WDW tourist is probably going to cancel and stay away!

Woo-Hoo, I'm looking for the crowd calendars to go down, surely it will affect crowd level!

Stay safe and healthy everyone cause I'm really thinking we're gonna be coming to WDW!

 

[Chuck S]

Honestly, our county is in the middle of the outbreak here in TX. They have cancelled school until May 11th. However, other events in town are still going on as planned, including Cinco de Mayo festivities. If this were that serious an outbreak, people would be quarantined. Our rate of infection is decreasing, 6 the first week, 3 the second. And all victims had either been to Mexico for spring break, or closely associated with someone who had been.

I'm tired of the media, even the CDC is saying the DNA of this flu is not manufacturing the deadly amino acids the 1918 flu did. Of course, it could all be a plot of the gov't to control our minds. Better wear protection.