Charlotte Observer reports cases of swine flu (school, tax)

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by CouponJack

Loves, the link is from 5pm and none are confirmed...

Am I missing something??

Dern, Jack, now I can't find the page I was reading! I'm starting to think I'm losing my mind over here, LOL. But just now on the news they didn't report that anything was confirmed - could be I misread. Sorry about that!

[ChelleC]

I heard on the radio this morning that there were 20 some cases of suspected Swine Flu in NC that have been tested and found to be negative. There are approximately 15 more cases that are currently being tested.

I don't think anyone on here is making fun of the people who are sick or are making light of the flu itself. Personally, I just think it's ludicrous that the media is making this out to be an epidemic and stirring the pot of mass hysteria. I think that's what we're all ridiculing.

My mother works with the Health Department and they are being given daily updates. As soon as she gets to work this morning and has time to check things out she is supposed to send me an update. Will keep you all posted as to any DOCUMENTED cases.

[CouponJack]

Originally Posted by ChelleC

I Personally, I just think it's ludicrous that the media is making this out to be an epidemic and stirring the pot of mass hysteria. I think that's what we're all ridiculing.

.

That is the by-product of 24/7 news around the clock unfortunately. When you only had the big 3 networks back in the day, this wouldn't have gotten nearly as much press....

I think their is POTENTIAL to kill millions (as it did in 1918), that's why this should be taken seriously......

[ChelleC]

Originally Posted by CouponJack

I think their is POTENTIAL to kill millions (as it did in 1918), that's why this should be taken seriously......

Again, I don't find the flu itself to be a laughing matter. I'm not cold hearted enough to laugh at something that has killed over 100 people. But I have to say, I'm giving a big to the news media. There is SO much they could be doing to help and instead they are making this out to be the Plague because it's helping their ratings. Calling this anything other than hype when there are less than 100 documented cases in the US and none fatal so far is, IMHO, ridiculous.

Everyone needs to stay calm and use some common sense. Avoid crowded areas like malls. Wash your hands thoroughly and often. Avoid contact with strangers, sick people, or people who have just travelled outside the US or, it sounds like, to NYC as that is where most of the cases have been reported. Also, might be a bad time to plan that Mexican vacation you've always wanted. Other than that, what is all the media hype supposed to do for us? What service are they providing by keeping this CONSTANTLY the lead story? I'm at a loss.

My sister has a trip planned to Mexico with four of her friends next month. They are supposed to fly into Mexico City. My mother works with the Health Department so she is around the public constantly. Not only that, she is required to test blood, weigh, measure, etc. so it is a hands on job. I worry about her all the time...even before this "flu" came around. So trust me when I tell you, I am taking it seriously.

I'm just not the kind of person who is going to sit home reading every news article and watching every news report while spritzing myself and my son with Lysol and stocking up on duct tape to seal all the windows in my home. What would be the point? I still have to work. He still has to go to school. So, unless someone is prepared to support us in the manner to which we have become accustomed, I prefer to continue my life as if I'm not going to be stricken down with the flu tomorrow and die a slow and agonizing death.

[BrianH1970]

Originally Posted by CouponJack

That is the by-product of 24/7 news around the clock unfortunately. When you only had the big 3 networks back in the day, this wouldn't have gotten nearly as much press....

I think their is POTENTIAL to kill millions (as it did in 1918), that's why this should be taken seriously......

Millions?????? How far back do you have to go to find a disease that killed millions of people? Certainly not in any era of modern medicine. Potential be damned, it doesn't happen anymore. I will guarantee you that millions will not die from swine flu.

According to an article in USA Today as of 4/29

Confirmed cases
Canada: 13 cases
Israel: 1
Mexico: WHO reports 7 deaths, Mexico reports 159 deaths
New Zealand: 14
Spain: 1 case
U.K.: 2 cases
U.S.: 64 cases

Globally. That's it. And you don't know what to believe out of Mexico. Regardless of how much worse it might get, that still tells me your chances of getting pig flu are incredibly slim at very best. If people want to cancel their trips to Mexico, fine...that's their decision. But to be any more proactive than that is just ridiculous.

Between the knuckleheads in New York who were supposedly panicked by a low flying airplane, enough to make 911 calls, and this, it just proves that we sure do love our doomsday scenarios.

[ChelleC]

Originally Posted by BrianH1970

And you don't know what to believe out of Mexico.

I just spoke with a co-worker of mine who has family and friends in Mexico. She said she spoke with her friend in Mexico City last night and that they are not panicked about the flu. She said the reason so many died is that they didn't know what it was, but now that they do they are not losing any more people. They have been told to stay home and said all the stores there are sold out of Lysol, Clorox wipes, etc. but there is not widespread panic. They have closed schools for two weeks as a safety precaution, but are planning to re-open them soon. People are already returning to work.

Just reporting what I was told.

[Justpeachee]

Originally Posted by BrianH1970

Between the knuckleheads in New York who were supposedly panicked by a low flying airplane, enough to make 911 calls, and this, it just proves that we sure do love our doomsday scenarios.

I don't know where you were on 9/11, but I was at home.....in NYC. My husband was working in Manhattan when I saw the line of thick black smoke across the blue sky from my house on Staten Island. I broke down when I got his call and heard that he was alright. I get chills to this day when I think about how my house shook from the military planes going overhead. I have a relative that worked for Cantor Fitzgerald and many, many friends who worked for the FDNY and the Port Authority - all of whom did not come home that night. To say that the people who worried when they saw low flying planes in downtown Manhattan the other day were "knuckleheads" is an insult....

[BrianH1970]

Originally Posted by Justpeachee

I don't know where you were on 9/11, but I was at home.....in NYC. My husband was working in Manhattan when I saw the line of thick black smoke across the blue sky from my house on Staten Island. I broke down when I got his call and heard that he was alright. I get chills to this day when I think about how my house shook from the military planes going overhead. I have a relative that worked for Cantor Fitzgerald and many, many friends who worked for the FDNY and the Port Authority - all of whom did not come home that night. To say that the people who worried when they saw low flying planes in downtown Manhattan the other day were "knuckleheads" is an insult....

First off, I worked in Newark end of Kearny, not at all far from lower Manhattan with a pretty good view of that area. That's where I was on that day. Second, I stand by it...overly panicked "knuckleheads" looking for a crisis....just like this flu.

[anifani821]

I think we all need to look at this from a different perspective. It is my belief that the Prez and Homeland Security are using this as a "trial run" to see how well our public health system can interface w/ all other agencies. It is an operational exercise, to ascertain functionality and inter-agency efficiencies to determine any weak spots in that patched together system.

After 9/11, for ex., we learned that there were holes in communication systems that held up relay of messages. After Katrina, we realized how little interface there is b/n agencies. Valuable time was lost, as well as total chaos occurring at hospitals, nursing homes, etc. Then there is the public health side, and how info feeds in the CDC. Plus pharma . . . and transport of everything from food to meds.

So for me, this seems like a very good opportunity to "test drive" new protocols and operational guidelines while interfacing w/ various agencies.

I think we should all be very grateful that our govenment is putting the system through a trial run. We could truly have an epidemic or terrorist act that would require quick action throughout agencies in each state.

The media exaggerate everything, we know that. Just like this morning - we find out an infant has died in TX. As soon as I heard that report, I turned to my hubby and said "That child is from Mexico, I will bet you $1000." He would not take the bet. Sure enuff, a few hours later - it is confirmed. The child was brought from Mexico to Houston for treatment. The reason I figured that was the case is b/c I had done a feasibility study for establishing a new hospital in El Paso, TX and was shocked to find out how many people a day walk across the bridge from Mexico to get treatment in TX hospitals. Our border is porous as hell and why someone doesn't do something about it in the midst of a healthcare crisis that has originated in Mexico - totally baffles me.

[Whytewulf]

Does anyone think that the reason things don't get out of hand is because we prepare and over-communicate? Do we want to take the chance, that this isn't a big deal and ignore it? The it becomes a big deal. Nothing wrong with communication and a little precaution. Costs us very litte (most of the time) and we have access to 100's of websites, channels, sources of all types to get info these days. I get inundated with Cubs losing scores (never cubs winning cry). So in the end the Avian Fly, y2K, Evacuations from flooding, all may seem like nothing afterwards, but maybe it's because we prepared.

Also, the US just had it's first death a 23 mo old baby. Thats one too many in my book.