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Chuck
Joined: 31 Oct 2005
Posts: 94
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jbarry130
Joined: 07 Mar 2009
Posts: 1
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Sat May 02, 2009 8:33 am Post subject:
Swine Flu? |
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Disease of the month...next month there will be another over-hyped. Unbelievable how the media has blown it soooo out of proportion...
And the hypochondriacs who hit the ER at the first sniffle. I don't even like to go to a pharmacy! People are sick there!
Jim |
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PennyPA
Joined: 11 Apr 2009
Posts: 4
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Sat May 02, 2009 9:38 am Post subject:
Swine Flu Minus "Common Sense" |
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| And the one U.S. death was from Mexico. It appears the newspeople and many citizens of the U.S. seem to have lost that thing called "common sense." <sigh> |
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loriscribe
Joined: 30 Aug 2008
Posts: 8
Location: Eugene, OR
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Sat May 02, 2009 11:46 am Post subject:
Swine Flu |
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I, too, have the impression that the concept is overblown. The only caveat is on Jim Lehrer's News Hour, there have been some medical researchers saying that part of the alarm about this virus is that they have never seen its genetic structure before -- ever -- and don't know what its mutation pattern may be as far as the human body's ability to defy it. They said its structure came closest to the true "swine flu" that hit in North America in 1957, and surmised that those alive and kicking in that year (rah, rah for being old) were probably naturally immunized. By the way, they also said that no naughty pig has been involved with this scare at all and that "swine flu" is a misnomer.
All the more reason to hit the road and enjoy it. Keep washing those hands! (My daughter-in-law is an RN and she said that "washing hands" to a nurse means lathering with soap and using friction for twenty seconds at least -- not just a slap-dash run under the faucet).
Lori
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'05 Itasca Cambria
Solo Newbie |
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gasbag
Joined: 13 Nov 2005
Posts: 285
Location: Washington State
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Sat May 02, 2009 1:04 pm Post subject:
Re: Editor's comments about Swine Flu in Issue 376 |
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| Chuck wrote: | On my comments about Swine Flu being overblown by the media. Do you Agree? Disagree?
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You have to be kidding me. The news media exaggerating a situation?Wow, what a radical thought. When the news media began competing for ratings points, awards and commercial revenue, it became "not news." It is now "infotainment" which has nothing to do with anything except revenue.
We have a flu season every year. This year is no different.
Why doesn't the news media tell us that every year approximately 35,000 people die of the flu? Gee, could it be that it would negate their efforts in scaring the heck out of the general public, most of whom believe everything they are told?
Stop watching the news. What you get is not only biased but it is slanted to get your attention, no matter how much they have to twist the truth.
If you want information on the swine flu, go to the CDC website and get the info that is accurate. There are so many places to get the real information on any situation other than TV. Television news is thinly disguised entertainment presented to you by teleprompter readers. |
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bonnie3
Joined: 31 May 2006
Posts: 95
Location: Napoleon Oh
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Sat May 02, 2009 7:09 pm Post subject:
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The whole thing is to just take our minds off the stock market taking all our money! Bonnie
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Snowbirds--99 Dodge Ram Cummins, 2000Sportsman31ft fifthwheel, and Molly the wonder dog!! |
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Ron Butler
Joined: 14 Dec 2006
Posts: 15
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Sat May 02, 2009 9:06 pm Post subject:
Re: Swine Flu |
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| loriscribe wrote: | I, too, have the impression that the concept is overblown. The only caveat is on Jim Lehrer's News Hour, there have been some medical researchers saying that part of the alarm about this virus is that they have never seen its genetic structure before -- ever -- and don't know what its mutation pattern may be as far as the human body's ability to defy it. They said its structure came closest to the true "swine flu" that hit in North America in 1957, and surmised that those alive and kicking in that year (rah, rah for being old) were probably naturally immunized. By the way, they also said that no naughty pig has been involved with this scare at all and that "swine flu" is a misnomer.
All the more reason to hit the road and enjoy it. Keep washing those hands! (My daughter-in-law is an RN and she said that "washing hands" to a nurse means lathering with soap and using friction for twenty seconds at least -- not just a slap-dash run under the faucet).
Lori |
Very well put. Overblown, possibly, but let's look at the flip side. Would you have felt better had they had said nothing until things may have gotten out of hand? Of course the press is going to overblow everything: why do you think FOX news is so popular?!  How do you think we got into 2 wars for the past 6+ years?! Even if we don't always use our critical thinking skills the way we should, we should still have some common sense to rely upon and this was one of those times. I suspect that in the next week or two as they get a better handle on it, we will look back and feel that we all may have overreacted. I will just remind myself of those people in NO that were at the Superdome for 4 - 6 days and the government officials "didn't know" about it! Sometimes it is best to err on the side of caution, particularly when dealing with a possible public health issue. Oh well, government officials can never win no matter what they do or how they react to situations!
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Ron & Carolyn
Sadie - the Irish Terrier
Happy - the Lakeland Terrier
"From Sailing Yacht to Land Yacht"
www.mytripjournal.com/ronandcarolyn |
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Scoundrel
Joined: 06 Jan 2007
Posts: 26
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Sat May 02, 2009 9:12 pm Post subject:
The Quickest Way to Get Swine Flu |
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tumbleturn
Joined: 19 Feb 2006
Posts: 283
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Sun May 03, 2009 6:24 am Post subject:
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I did not read the newsletter: too much hype and no real content just like the press.
But upon reading comments here and also reading John Mouldin's weekly letter, I figured I would quote him on his commentary of the latest Pandemic.
| Quote: | A Few Thoughts on Swine Flu
Intellectually, I know that flu is something that we live with every year. According to the Centers for Disease Control, seasonal flu infects between 15 and 60 million Americans each year (5% to 20%), hospitalizes about 200,000, and kills about 36,000. That comes out to over 800 hospitalizations and over 250 deaths each day during flu season.
Worldwide deaths from "regular" flu are between 250,000 to 500,000 a year. In the last SARS virus "epidemic" in 2003, there were around 8,000 deaths worldwide but none in the US.
Swine flu has been diagnosed 160 times in ten countries plus several hundred more in Mexico. The toll is almost sure to rise a great deal, but will it reach the level of normal, everyday flu? I hope not, and I rather doubt it, at least based on the recent SARS scare. |
Mike |
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constablebill
Joined: 27 Jan 2007
Posts: 33
Location: Central Pennsylvania
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Sun May 03, 2009 4:42 pm Post subject:
Re: Swine Flu |
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| Ron Butler wrote: |
Would you have felt better had they had said nothing until things may have gotten out of hand? |
Yes. Much better.
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"A thousand years ago I used to look up at the moon and dream about being an astronaut. I just didn't have the grades, or the physical endurance, plus I threw up a lot, and nobody liked spending a week with me." - Phillip J. Fry |
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Mr.Disaster
Joined: 10 Jan 2009
Posts: 3
Location: Woodinville, WA
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Sun May 03, 2009 6:40 pm Post subject:
Swine (H1N1 Flu) |
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Chuck-
This is one of those events where you prepare for the worst and hope for the best. Hype? Maybe, but this seems to be the only way to get a message of preparedness out.
The H1N1 appears to have some of the characteristics that may lead to a flu that has no vaccine or effective treatment.
If it turns out that this strain does not mutate into a killer disease, then feel free to criticize the government for looking out for the health of its citizens. Until then, we all need to remember to practice the "universal precautions:" hand washing, covering the cough and sneeze, and if sick, stay home and avoid others. Simple steps will stop the flu.
For those of you who think this is just a government conspiracy, please read the book "The influenza pandemic of 1918-1919" by Paul Kupperberg, and remember those who fail to learn from the past are doomed to repeat it.
To whine about the government preparing us for the worst may indicate that you are part of the problem. Isn't it time to quit whining and start being part of the solution? |
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retired and happy
Joined: 06 Nov 2005
Posts: 303
Location: Stone Mountain GA
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Mon May 04, 2009 7:13 am Post subject:
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They are putting a spin on it here in GA. The one case they found here, and for which someone has been hospitalized in GA, has been classified as a KY case since the patient was from KY. Hence there are no cases in GA.
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Ken
Judy and our Special Angels
1996 37' Itasca Suncruiser
6x12 cargo trailer
2003 EZGO golf Cart |
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BobNuttmann
Joined: 17 Jan 2006
Posts: 7
Location: Jamul, CA
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Mon May 04, 2009 11:38 am Post subject:
Swine Flu not the same as other problems |
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Swine flu may turn out to be a minor issue due to the fact that SO-FAR (very key disclaimer) few have had serious problems with it. However, many have died in Mexico. When the flu pandemic struck in 1918 the first wave of illness was not so serious. Then a month later a much more virulent version hit and here in San Diego there were hundreds of deaths. IMHO - we should wait to see where this pandemic goes. I can tell you it would certainly affect my plans if I were going to Mexico at the moment.
The others you mentioned are MUCH MORE serious. All of them. I have know people to have been affected with flesh eating bacteria. This is a very very serious illness. One woman almost died and is scarred for life. She is also mostly in invalid now. Bird flu is just a potential pandemic right now. If it ever mutates to where it is easily transmitted there may be a Worldwide pandemic of consequences in the vicinity of the 1918 one. Not something to make light of. Mad Cow - That seems to have been stopped, but certainly lethal if you get it. Killer bees - Maybe not killer, but we have a serious issue in this county with Africanized bees interbreeding with the local honey bees. The result is multiple stings are now common. For most people it is not serious, but for some deadly.
However, you are less likely to catch any of these problems if you are boon docking in your RV with the possible exception of bees.
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Bob Nuttmann |
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BobNuttmann
Joined: 17 Jan 2006
Posts: 7
Location: Jamul, CA
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Mon May 04, 2009 11:38 am Post subject:
Swine Flu not the same as other problems |
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Swine flu may turn out to be a minor issue due to the fact that SO-FAR (very key disclaimer) few have had serious problems with it. However, many have died in Mexico. When the flu pandemic struck in 1918 the first wave of illness was not so serious. Then a month later a much more virulent version hit and here in San Diego there were hundreds of deaths. IMHO - we should wait to see where this pandemic goes. I can tell you it would certainly affect my plans if I were going to Mexico at the moment.
The others you mentioned are MUCH MORE serious. All of them. I have know people to have been affected with flesh eating bacteria. This is a very very serious illness. One woman almost died and is scarred for life. She is also mostly in invalid now. Bird flu is just a potential pandemic right now. If it ever mutates to where it is easily transmitted there may be a Worldwide pandemic of consequences in the vicinity of the 1918 one. Not something to make light of. Mad Cow - That seems to have been stopped, but certainly lethal if you get it. Killer bees - Maybe not killer, but we have a serious issue in this county with Africanized bees interbreeding with the local honey bees. The result is multiple stings are now common. For most people it is not serious, but for some deadly.
However, you are less likely to catch any of these problems if you are boon docking in your RV with the possible exception of bees.
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Bob Nuttmann |
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constablebill
Joined: 27 Jan 2007
Posts: 33
Location: Central Pennsylvania
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Mon May 04, 2009 11:39 am Post subject:
Re: Swine (H1N1 Flu) |
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| Mr.Disaster wrote: | | Isn't it time to quit whining and start being part of the solution? |
And what, specifically, would "being part of the solution" entail? Perhaps not listening to puff-headed pundits blathering on endlessly about the danger of a flu with a LOWER mortality rate than the "regular" flu? Since you saw fit to mention the Swine Flu Pandemic of 1918-19, perhaps a little information regarding the etiology of that outbreak would be in order:
1) The spread of that virus and the excessive mortality was directly proximal to the deplorable sanitary conditions of the day coupled with the fact that World War I saw people in very close proximity in VERY unsanitary conditions.
2) The 1918 outbreak was complicated by the prevailing belief that the flu was bacterial instead of viral. This caused the most sick to be treated with primitive anti-bacterial treatments that may have done more harm than good, in turn leading to up to 10% of those infected developing the late-stage pneumonia that killed so many.
3) The global excess mortality of the 1918-1919 outbreaks was about 2.6% of those who contracted the flu. While still massive in number (between 20 and 40 MILLION people), it did not present a significant dent in the gross population of the world at the time.
4) The largest effect of the flu "panic" was economic, as many businesses were forced to shut down for an extended period, and panic kept people from associating even in those areas where the flu was not prevalent.
A "standard" flu has a mortality rate of approximately .1%. While the actual numbers on this outbreak are not defined, it is believed to be about .06% at this time. For me, being "part of the solution" entails washing my hands frequently, and ignoring the sage wisdom of people who are paid more for their ability to read a teleprompter in a serious voice than for their knowledge of the spread of disease.
We got it. People got sick. Some died, most got better. More people will get sick. A fractional percentage of those will die. During this same period, many more will succumb to injuries from accidents, cancer, or other less newsworthy methods of slipping the mortal coil.
Please forgive me for not duct taping the doors and windows of my house or requiring everyone with the sniffles to wear a little bell around their neck and shout "UNCLEAN" when they enter the freakin' WalMart! I promise that I will personally volunteer to be part of the burial detail if the bodies start stacking up like cordwood in this part of PA. Boy, I never thought that I would long for endless coverage of the economy again! 
_________________
"A thousand years ago I used to look up at the moon and dream about being an astronaut. I just didn't have the grades, or the physical endurance, plus I threw up a lot, and nobody liked spending a week with me." - Phillip J. Fry |
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