Swine Flu

[Dartful Dodger]

I remember thinking how funny it was to see people get all worked up over the bird flu.  Photos of Asians in suits wearing surgical masks while they hailed a cab. 

I still think it's funny and I'll probably be laughing when I see some white teenager in gangster gear wearing a surgical mask at Wal-Mart next week.

What's a little frightening isn't how this thing has become a "pandemic" so quickly, but how quickly Walgreens is prepared for it.  It's like they have a "incase of pandemic" chapter in their company hand book.

They didn't skip a beat, all the Easter stuff is now gone and the seasonal isles is now divided into two sections.  Fun summer beach supplies and end of the world epidemic supplies.

They're selling masks and rubber gloves by the bulk, along with soaps and cleaning disinfectants.

Am I missing something?  I know it kills young, old and pregnant people, but so does any flu, is temporary diarrhea and vomiting really this new and terrifying?

[pinballwizard79]

Capitalism fuels medicine in the USA.

Thats why we are handling this better than Mexico.

I think we should spend the bucks to prepare, immunize & etc.

[2600]

Am I missing something?  I know it kills young, old and pregnant people, but so does any flu, is temporary diarrhea and vomiting really this new and terrifying?

Depends if you know your history or not.  We are a bit overdue for a flu pandemic.  Also, the flu kills more then just those people, the ones you mentioned are just the more venerable and therefore have higher death rates.

[Dartful Dodger]

All I'm seeing  are kids and babies dying from this.  I read a news report about the first documented case was a Mexican child, who is now back to normal.  The first(only) American death was a kid who was really sick before he even got this flu.

The plagues that wiped out millions, killed more than just sickly children. 
This sounds more like Darwin's survival of the fittest, than it then it does a pandemic.

Honestly, I don't know whose dying from this pig cold.  With all the hype you'd think they'd give us some actual information.

Yeah I get it, we might get sick.  How sick, is what I want to know.

[crashwg]

the flu kills more then just those people, the ones you mentioned are just the more venerable and therefore have higher death rates.

I'm confused about what deserving to be venerated has to do with the flu... 

-venerable-

[hypernova]

The first(only) American death was a kid who was really sick before he even got this flu.

That one didn't count on our tally.  It was a Mexican boy visiting in Texas for some reason, is what I read.  Unless we're talking of a different kid.

I'm confused about what deserving to be venerated has to do with the flu... 

-venerable-

...Are you really confused as to what he meant to say, or just being a stickler about it?

[Malenko]

I'm confused about what deserving to be venerated has to do with the flu... 

Just in case, he meant vulnerable .


now wheres that pig smiley.....?

[saint]

All I'm seeing  are kids and babies dying from this.  I read a news report about the first documented case was a Mexican child, who is now back to normal.  The first(only) American death was a kid who was really sick before he even got this flu.

The plagues that wiped out millions, killed more than just sickly children. 
This sounds more like Darwin's survival of the fittest, than it then it does a pandemic.

Honestly, I don't know whose dying from this pig cold.  With all the hype you'd think they'd give us some actual information.

Yeah I get it, we might get sick.  How sick, is what I want to know.

Two things as I get it:

1. This strain may be hitting healthy 20-50 year olds as hard as the traditionally vulnerable demographic (i.e. being a healthy relatively young adult may not be enough protection to avoid dying), and

2. It's not that it's bad now, it's the rate it's looking to grow that's got people nervous. In 1918, between 20-50 million people died of the Spanish flu, including millions of adults between 20-50. In 1968, the Hong Kong flu killed between 1 and 4 million people, including 34,000 in the US.

I've read for years now that health authorities have been concerned that another pandemic was likely, and due to our incredible globalization now the potential to spread quickly is high.

--- saint

[saint]

An article with an alternative view point:
http://www.newsday.com/news/opinion/ny-opsie3012706049apr29,0,2796137.story

Normal flu kills 30,000 or so Americans each year (the part that freaks me out about this current strain is that it may impact healthy adults instead of just the young and elderly. Too soon to tell I think) and I believe I read we're at about 19,000 deaths this year from "normal" flu so .... 

Modern health measures may curb the impact, and this article estimates the death tool from 1968 at roughly 700,000 instead of the 1-4 million I found on the other article (http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/dpp/news/dpgo_History_of_Flu_Pandemics_mb_042720092445602).

Meh. I'm taking reasonable precautions. I'm not shaking hands, trying not to touch my face, and using antibacterial hand stuff several times a day.

[crashwg]

I'm confused about what deserving to be venerated has to do with the flu... 

-venerable-

...Are you really confused as to what he meant to say, or just being a stickler about it?

There has been a rash of people as of late that have stated to me or to someone I know that they did their "good deed for the day" and I just thought I'd balance things out by randomly being an ass.  What do you know, it's a new day.  Hypernova is a tool.

*Please note that there is no smileys in this post.  Therefore I am COMPLETELY serious.

[shardian]

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/04/29/Swine-Flu.aspx

[ChadTower]

This sounds more like Darwin's survival of the fittest, than it then it does a pandemic.

Where do you think this one came from?  This was a normal flu and mutated.  All it takes is one more "lucky" mutation and suddenly it is killing people of all ages.  It is that potential combined with how easily this one is moving that is the problem.

[MustardTent]

An article with an alternative view point:
http://www.newsday.com/news/opinion/ny-opsie3012706049apr29,0,2796137.story

Normal flu kills 30,000 or so Americans each year (the part that freaks me out about this current strain is that it may impact healthy adults instead of just the young and elderly. Too soon to tell I think) and I believe I read we're at about 19,000 deaths this year from "normal" flu so .... 

Modern health measures may curb the impact, and this article estimates the death tool from 1968 at roughly 700,000 instead of the 1-4 million I found on the other article (http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/dpp/news/dpgo_History_of_Flu_Pandemics_mb_042720092445602).

Meh. I'm taking reasonable precautions. I'm not shaking hands, trying not to touch my face, and using antibacterial hand stuff several times a day.

When using the antibacterial alcohol cleanser stuff, make sure to keep rubbing your hands until they are dry.  Learned this from many hospital visits for my son.

[BobA]

I cannot believe how misinformed some people are.   Just because it is called swine flu some people are avoiding pork and I saw a post where a vegan was telling people they did not have to worry because they do not eat pork.   Maybe the WHO should have called this Influenza something rather than swine flu.   In that vein  " Don't Kiss Any Pigs" 

[SG Jaycurl]

I just love how the media hypes this stuff up like crazy, but doesn't really give all the info.

We just had two probable cases reported in the Milwaukee area and, of course, it was the major part of the news last night and this morning. However, despite all the coverage about how to prevent it, what symptoms to look for, etc., never once did they mention how potentially dangerous it is (i.e. in terms of mortality compared to "normal" flu).

My initial perception is that it's pretty much like any other flu outbreak. It's definitely serious, but it isn't like the dawning of the zombie apocalypse is upon us. I don't get the impression that it's any more dangerous than a typical flu bug, but I have heard differing views on that.

[LLUncoolJ]

I know that the spread due to globalization is a concern. However, when they refer to past epidemics that killed millions, it was before modern medicine. Sure, the flu is going to take out a bunch of people every year, usually people with weakened immune systems. But with the modern understanding of how viruses spread, how they function, and what it takes to stop them, it would take a pretty bas-ass bug to match those death tolls. At the turn of the century, we had virtually no understanding of how these things worked. Hell, they didn't irradicate polio until the 60's or so.

[ChadTower]

But with the modern understanding of how viruses spread, how they function, and what it takes to stop them, it would take a pretty bas-ass bug to match those death tolls.

I have a modern understanding of how the US gov't responds to domestic crises, especially in that region of the US, so I'm taking it fairly seriously.

[mr.Curmudgeon]

I cannot believe how misinformed some people are.   Just because it is called swine flu some people are avoiding pork and I saw a post where a vegan was telling people they did not have to worry because they do not eat pork.

Perfect example...
Egypt orders slaughter of all pigs over swine flu 
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jc_pijXYi6E50wDepameI2ZTf9iAD97S7UPG2

[Ed_McCarron]

Sounds like a good excuse for a BLT...

[ark_ader]

You guys better hurry up and finish your cabs, as the clock is ticking.

Pneumonia isn't funny, but I wonder if most of the cases that died of this swine flu, had HIV.  HIV destroys the immune system, thus more susceptible to infection.

A lot of narcotics are shipped through Mexico.  On the other hand, maybe its too late to try and stop it, and this influenza is mutating as we speak, ready to wipe us out.  I have been thinking of the Stand lately.

Perhaps I'm being morbid.   

[Dartful Dodger]

I had my first surgical mask sighting this morning.  I work near a college, he looked like a college student. 

It's raining so the mask and the girl's umbrella made him look even funnier.

Here's a tip:
Masks work as soon as you put them on.  If you wear the mask for any length of time the moisture from your breath eventually soaks through the mask.  Viruses and bacteria can then use the moisture to get through the mask, in fact moisture is a perfect breeding ground for viruses and bacteria.

Wearing a mask in the rain is like wearing a bull's eye for the pig cold.

[Ed_McCarron]

See?  We should never have sent those telephone sanitizers off on the space ark.

[patrickl]

There is an easy check if you have the disease or not:
http://doihaveswineflu.org/

[Dartful Dodger]

Excellent, I just sent that link to everyone I know.

[RayB]

You only get it from having relations with a pig right?


[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bhRIbXjJ5g&feature=popular[/youtube]

[shmokes]

You guys better hurry up and finish your cabs, as the clock is ticking.

Pneumonia isn't funny, but I wonder if most of the cases that died of this swine flu, had HIV.  HIV destroys the immune system, thus more susceptible to infection.

A lot of narcotics are shipped through Mexico.  On the other hand, maybe its too late to try and stop it, and this influenza is mutating as we speak, ready to wipe us out.  I have been thinking of the Stand lately.

Perhaps I'm being morbid.   

WTF are you talking about?

[Ummon]

Depends if you know your history or not.  We are a bit overdue for a flu pandemic.  Also, the flu kills more then just those people, the ones you mentioned are just the more venerable and therefore have higher death rates.

Venerable, huh? Heheh, I know you mean vulnerable.

They didn't skip a beat, all the Easter stuff is now gone

....easter. When was that this year?

[Ed_McCarron]

WASHINGTON D.C. - Cough! Cough cough! One sec. Cough! Cough cough! Ahem. Aherem. Okay.

The World Health Organization raised the H1N1 threat level from Phase 5 to Phase 11 this morning, indicating cough! Indicating that there are now documented cases of website-to-human transmission of the disease commonly known as "Swine Flu". The level was raised cough! cough! Cough cough! Jesus Chri-cough cough cough! Hang on. Cough! Cough! Ahrm.

The level was raised after 41 people contracted the virus from various domains, including 23 confirmed infections from Facebook. Epidemiologists ahrrrrm warn that "social networking" sites such as Twitter are common vectors for Phase 11 diseases due to the large numbers of people connected hrrrr, connected by hrrm, cough! Connected cough cough cough!

The WHO also recommended that citizens avoid websites that cough! Cough cough cough cough cough cough! That show signs cough! Cough cough cough! I'm so sorry about--cough! Cough cough cough! cough cough! Is it like hot in here or is it just me?

[shardian]

You know, it would be damn hilarious to put on a medical mask, and walk around the mall while intentionally getting close to people. Someone makes a turn into a store to avoid you - you turn into the same store.

[ark_ader]

You guys better hurry up and finish your cabs, as the clock is ticking.

Pneumonia isn't funny, but I wonder if most of the cases that died of this swine flu, had HIV.  HIV destroys the immune system, thus more susceptible to infection.

A lot of narcotics are shipped through Mexico.  On the other hand, maybe its too late to try and stop it, and this influenza is mutating as we speak, ready to wipe us out.  I have been thinking of the Stand lately.

Perhaps I'm being morbid.   

WTF are you talking about?

Well read it, what does it say?

I can explain it to you real slowly if you want.   

[shmokes]

Okay . . . here are some of the things I was confused by:

"Pneumonia isn't funny, but I wonder if most of the cases that died of this swine flu, had HIV."

I'm not kidding.  I don't know what that means.  I mean, I can mentally remove the second comma.  That's no problem.  But I don't get why pneumonia being funny has anything to do with your curiosity about HIV and its relation to Swine Flu.

A lot of narcotics are shipped through Mexico.  On the other hand, maybe its too late to try and stop it, and this influenza is mutating as we speak, ready to wipe us out.

Okay . . . you start your 2nd sentence, "On the other hand . . . ."  I don't know what you mean.  On the one hand a lot of drugs are shipped through Mexico, on the other hand, maybe it's too late to try and stop it?  What is, "it?"  The, "On the other hand," comment leads me to believe that, "it," can only be referring to the shipment of drugs through Mexico.  On the other hand (heh), I don't know why that's particularly relevant, and that (along with the rest of the sentence) leads me to believe that you mean that it's too late to stop the spread of Swine Flu.  But then I don't know what that has to do with the shipment of drugs through Mexico.  And that also leaves me wondering what is on the one hand (as opposed to what is on the other hand, which you specified).

Perhaps I'm being morbid.

Not really.  I mean, I suppose kind of.  But not really. 

So, yeah, sure.  Real slowly.  Or not.  Seriously up to you.

[ark_ader]

• Influenza can kill people with HIV quicker, as their immune system is drastically reduced.  No mention of anyone dying of Swine Flu, who had AIDS/HIV.

• Narcotics are traded frequently in Mexico thus the, above argument can be exponential.  Reading of the Stand, and how the virus was spread is very similar to the Swine Flu, person to person. 
• Morbid as the above is probably true.

Does that help you understand Shmokes or should I draw you a picture? 

[saint]

• Influenza can kill people with HIV quicker, as their immune system is drastically reduced.  No mention of anyone dying of Swine Flu, who had AIDS/HIV.

• Narcotics are traded frequently in Mexico thus the, above argument can be exponential.  Reading of the Stand, and how the virus was spread is very similar to the Swine Flu, person to person. 
• Morbid as the above is probably true.

Does that help you understand Shmokes or should I draw you a picture? 

I had no idea what you were talking about either. Clear as mud.

RE: Swine flu and HIV. It appears to be just the opposite of your supposition. There is some thought that it is an over-reaction of a healthy immune system that is causing fatalities from the swine flu.
- http://scienceblogs.com/aetiology/2009/04/swine_flu_and_deaths_in_health.php
- http://www.fluwikie.com/index.php?n=Science.PrimerCytokineStorm

And no, I'm not piling on - I really couldn't get what you were trying to say at all.

[ark_ader]

• Influenza can kill people with HIV quicker, as their immune system is drastically reduced.  No mention of anyone dying of Swine Flu, who had AIDS/HIV.

• Narcotics are traded frequently in Mexico thus the, above argument can be exponential.  Reading of the Stand, and how the virus was spread is very similar to the Swine Flu, person to person. 
• Morbid as the above is probably true.

Does that help you understand Shmokes or should I draw you a picture? 

I had no idea what you were talking about either. Clear as mud.

RE: Swine flu and HIV. It appears to be just the opposite of your supposition. There is some thought that it is an over-reaction of a healthy immune system that is causing fatalities from the swine flu.
- http://scienceblogs.com/aetiology/2009/04/swine_flu_and_deaths_in_health.php
- http://www.fluwikie.com/index.php?n=Science.PrimerCytokineStorm

And no, I'm not piling on - I really couldn't get what you were trying to say at all.

I'm not making this up..   

[Ummon]

I understood what ark was saying. Man, ya all.

[ChadTower]

I think jim forgot his sarcasm tags on that one.  Or his asbestos underpants.  One or the other.

[shmokes]

Does that help you understand Shmokes or should I draw you a picture? 

After reading your response three or four times I think I get the basic gist of what you were trying to say (though I still don't know what it has to do with the comedic value of pneumonia, but whatever).  I like the rolly eyes, BTW.  There's nothing like being pissed off at others when they are unable to understand your unintelligible writing.  You said drugs are shipped through Mexico.  Are we psychic?  We were supposed to intuit that when you say drugs are shipped through Mexico you mean many people in Mexico share needles?

By the way, a major problem with your writing is your seemingly random use of commas.  Commas aren't decoration.  They're not like sprinkles on a donut.  Commas dramatically change the meaning of sentences.  Some of your comma placement is distracting, some of it confusing, and some downright bizarre. 

A good rule of thumb when it comes to commas:  When in doubt, leave it out. fixt When in doubt leave it out.

[shmokes]

Difference being that I can identify a parenthetical phrase.   



edit: Upon reflection, though, you're probably right.  Leaving it out would have been illustrative.   

[Ummon]

---steaming pile of meadow muffin---, were that just what it was. Hey, ---smurfin--- CIA, get on the ball, yo!

[RayB]

The Koala eats, shoots, and leaves.

POW!