Being that the community of SS includes people from around the world, I'm interested in hearing how everyone's city is responding to the threat of swine flu.

Everyone around here (LA) seems fairly calm about it, but I do know that most people are at least reading up on (and preparing for it).  I spoke with a friend back in Michigan who told me it's not really a concern to anyone.

So on the heels of the WHO once again raising the alert level, I'd really like to hear what responses around the world (from friends, at your workplace, etc) are.  I know there's a lot of misinformation and panic out there (some more places than others).

Nothing where I live. FL, but I did notice at the grocery store more people than just me were using the disinfecting wipes.

I know they are hyping it in the papers in Sweden though and telling people to not travel to Mexico and the southern states of the US!

People here in Copenhagen are not giving it much thought - though the media is defintely trying to rile up everyone. I read today that it is in fact "only" 7 people in Mexico who have died from this disease and not 120 (or something like that) as first reported.

I wonder...what happens if a muslim catches the Swine Flu? That has to suck, you know, religiously speaking.

Here in France, we talk about it but nothing serious has been done. I heard today that several cases were located in Spain, Switzerland and Germany. Maybe things are rather exagerated. And it could be a good reason for US government to close fermly his frontier with Mexico.

I found this to be a pretty weird article:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8021301.stm


And yeah, I've been following a variety of news sources, and at any given time, they're all saying something different.  The numbers are impossible to keep straight, because they all keep throwing out different ones.  But like Sniper said, "7" is the magic number right now.

Our English class was talking about it today. The first U.S. victim being a 21-month-old baby here in Texas...Comforting. I'm not sure where it happened, but I'm sure it was probably at the border of Texas and Mexico...I just hope this doesn't become as big as the hype that's going around.


Sean

In Australia they have prepared a plan called Fortress Australia.  It's not in effect yet but will be if there is a threat.  It will include infrared scanning of people at airports to check their body temperature, canceling of flights from affected areas, etc.  This airport prevention methodology was probably left over from the bird flu epidemic a few years back. It probably won't do any good with the swine flu because everybody knows pigs can't fly.

Quoted from Zombie Sean Our English class was talking about it today. The first U.S. victim being a 21-month-old baby here in Texas...Comforting. I'm not sure where it happened, but I'm sure it was probably at the border of Texas and Mexico...I just hope this doesn't become as big as the hype that's going around.

The baby that died in Texas was actually visiting from Mexico.

Here in Oz they are vetting people flying in who have flu symptoms. I've heard doctors on talkback saying a lot this is media beatup. Swine flu appeared a couple of years back and we all weren't wiped out. this doctor said that since 2003 only 257 people worldwide have died form it - less than most road accidents. she suggested stay healthy and there won't be a problem.
I 've been struggling with a 'normal' bad cold for days now. Getting swine flu would'nt even affect me at the moment. My body would just say, 'yeah, take a number, get inline with the other viruses'.

This, I think, could turn into one of those not-so-rare cases where the media actually does more harm than good. I mean, if someone coughs or has a fever then, of course, they have the Swine Flu (or Mexican Flu or whatever they wanna name it).

I hope Bert drops by this thread, he's written tons of medical books (okay, so it was just one chapter but stil...) maybe he can enlighten us a bit more.

I hear there were four suspect cases in London and two confirmed up the road in Scotland.

Media hyping it up in England but I'd say the majority of people are calm about it, not giving it much thought.

The first newspaper article I read about it had an interview with an 'expert' on the subject of pandemics (sp?). He started the article by saying that "120 million people may die from this." and ended the article by saying "Let's not jump to any conclusions here." The headline read 'Swine-Flu to kill 120 million'. This is why I hate the British press.

Quoted from sniper I hope Bert drops by this thread...

I'm no expert on this particular topic, Sniper, but I do know that if you contract this in America (or some other developed country), it is considered treatable and nonlethal.

But it takes doctor visits, medications, and follow-up visits -- the "hype" is concern that it may spread.  If 100,000 people suddenly need treatment -- well, our medical system is simply not prepared to absorb that.

Then, many people will not get treatment, and then people may start to die.

For those genuinely curious or concerned, you will find no information or updates more definative than this:

http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/?s_cid=swineFlu_outbreak_001

Quoted from dresseme The baby that died in Texas was actually visiting from Mexico.

Then I was lied to! Son of a bitch! I'm never trusting Yahoo! news reports ever again.



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Sean

It is pissing me off.

We were set to book our flights to the US this weekend and now, I am not sure, It seems a bit risky to be planning any overseas travel at the moment. Bastard Mexican pigs, ruining my holiday.