View Poll Results: Will the Swine Flu Health Emergency Affect Your Behavior?
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Yes
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36 |
36.73% |
No
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54 |
55.10% |
Option 3 for those who want it.
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8 |
8.16% |
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04-29-2009, 07:22 PM
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#81
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Gone but not forgotten
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Sarasota,fl.
Posts: 11,447
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I'd like to change my vote to yes, I am going to change my behavior . The reason is I have asthma and it gets activated by any flu . So while the flu is troublesome for most people it is really dangerous for me . Unfortunately I am flying to NYC on Friday for my nieces wedding hopefully I will not catch the flu. After I return I intend to avoid crowds or ill people and stock my house with supplies in case I do get it .
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04-29-2009, 07:38 PM
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#82
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,764
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Tough question. I guess when I see people dieing around me I might. As of right now its just on the news. I figure when its my time its my time.
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04-29-2009, 08:57 PM
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#83
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 5,214
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I am washing my hands more, but that's all I have been doing so far.
BUT! If I had to fly somewhere, I would definitely start taking extra vitamin-C and start on echinacea caps a week before the travel day and keep on taking them both until I get back.
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04-29-2009, 09:27 PM
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#84
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Independence
Posts: 7,298
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"But even if there are swine-flu deaths outside Mexico -- and medical experts say there very well may be -- the virus would have a long way to go to match the roughly 36,000 deaths that seasonal influenza causes in the United States each year".
Regular flu has killed thousands since January - CNN.com
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04-29-2009, 11:25 PM
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#85
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Hooverville
Posts: 22,983
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I think we really cannot know how big a deal this will be; but as far as I can see there is no reason to think that it will not be a real threat.
Anything I can do I plan to do.
Ha
__________________
"As a general rule, the more dangerous or inappropriate a conversation, the more interesting it is."-Scott Adams
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04-30-2009, 07:35 AM
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#86
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,321
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In all of this hysteria over swine flu, has anyone seen any statistics on the overall risk? That is, for comparison purposes, in the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic, what % of the US population got sick and what % of that group died?
My guess is that those statistics would probably show that any one individual has a very small risk of death and only a moderate risk of even getting sick.
Is this just hype to get you to watch cable news or buy newspapers?
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04-30-2009, 07:38 AM
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#87
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,322
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Quote:
Originally Posted by grumpy
My guess is that those statistics would probably show that any one individual has a very small risk of death and only a moderate risk of even getting sick.
Is this just hype to get you to watch cable news or buy newspapers?
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Scientists see this flu strain as relatively mild
Scientists see this flu strain as relatively mild - Los Angeles Times
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04-30-2009, 07:58 AM
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#88
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Moderator
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Eastern WV Panhandle
Posts: 25,346
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No change in behavior. We wash hands regularly anyway, and other than work and school - her last day is today anyway - we pretty much are homebodies. Big party planned next month for DW's graduation but it's in WV, not Mexico.
__________________
When I was a kid I wanted to be older. This is not what I expected.
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04-30-2009, 11:08 AM
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#89
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: North Oregon Coast
Posts: 16,483
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Quote:
Originally Posted by calmloki
"But even if there are swine-flu deaths outside Mexico -- and medical experts say there very well may be -- the virus would have a long way to go to match the roughly 36,000 deaths that seasonal influenza causes in the United States each year".
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While true, there is one additional "fear factor" in play: The "typical" flu almost always kills infants, the elderly and those with suppressed immune systems, whereas this one is cutting down people who should be in the prime of their life -- much as the 1918-19 Spanish flu did. It's highly unlikely, I think, that this will remotely come close to the 1918-19 epidemic.
__________________
"Hey, for every ten dollars, that's another hour that I have to be in the work place. That's an hour of my life. And my life is a very finite thing. I have only 'x' number of hours left before I'm dead. So how do I want to use these hours of my life? Do I want to use them just spending it on more crap and more stuff, or do I want to start getting a handle on it and using my life more intelligently?" -- Joe Dominguez (1938 - 1997)
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04-30-2009, 11:51 AM
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#90
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Hooverville
Posts: 22,983
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ziggy29
It's highly unlikely, I think, that this will remotely come close to the 1918-19 epidemic.
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Could you share your reasoning behind this statement?
ha
__________________
"As a general rule, the more dangerous or inappropriate a conversation, the more interesting it is."-Scott Adams
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04-30-2009, 12:03 PM
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#91
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Recycles dryer sheets
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 377
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I think it would be wise for people to have at least a months worth of stored food, just in case this thing does get bad. let us not forget the public reaction could be worse then what is really going on too. You can buy 50 lb bags of rice at costco/Sams for 20 dollars, and some beans for protein and that will last a long time.
At least some of us ERed people can hide in our houses for a few weeks if we need.
Expect the best and prepare for the worst! This could wind up being nothing, but at the same time, if it does get bad, the unprepared will suffer the most.
__________________
No Soup for you! Come back 1 year!
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04-30-2009, 12:04 PM
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#92
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: North Oregon Coast
Posts: 16,483
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Quote:
Originally Posted by haha
Could you share your reasoning behind this statement?
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It's an opinion, a gut feeling. I clearly wasn't stating it as fact and I'm clearly not a public health professional.
For one thing, outside of Mexico it doesn't seem to be particularly fatal -- so far. That could indicate that as it travels and propagates, it may be getting weaker especially in terms of the "cytokine storms" which made the Spanish flu so deadly (and explains why the "healthier" people were hit harder by it -- their stronger immune systems started attacking their own organs). Also I think we have a better idea of the mechanics of transmission and how to avoid infection.
That could be somewhat offset, though, by a more mobile global society. And in any event, it doesn't mitigate the need for common sense and a little preparedness.
__________________
"Hey, for every ten dollars, that's another hour that I have to be in the work place. That's an hour of my life. And my life is a very finite thing. I have only 'x' number of hours left before I'm dead. So how do I want to use these hours of my life? Do I want to use them just spending it on more crap and more stuff, or do I want to start getting a handle on it and using my life more intelligently?" -- Joe Dominguez (1938 - 1997)
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04-30-2009, 12:11 PM
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#93
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Lake Livingston, Tx
Posts: 4,204
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I am in Ziggy's camp on this one. I think there are several things that point to this. I believe we are well ahead of the flu this time. We have the ability to produce vaccines. We have much better global communication. Timing wise it is hitting at the end of the US flu season. As one pundit said, they expect the flu to move to the southern hemisphere and return next flu season here. Time to learn about it, and formulate a vaccine. So far, this strain does not seem as virulent, however, we are very early in to the contagion.
Having said all that. I still think it could be worse in the third world countries, were health systems may not be able to cope, and communication, is not as sophisticated.
__________________
If it is after 5:00 when I post I reserve the right to disavow anything I posted.
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04-30-2009, 12:16 PM
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#94
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: At The Cafe
Posts: 6,873
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Just read a few posts on this thread. Pause. Okay, I washed my hands again and will put up a post-it about disinfecting the keyboard.
Went to the doctor yesterday, an internist who is the primary Spanish-speaking physician in that section. Very busy office, much busier than usual. About three wait-ees had masks on. I complained to SO that they should open another waiting room so that people could spread out! Had to wait about 45 minutes which isn't too bad late in the day. This was a first: they ran out of exam rooms so set me up in another section which looked very clean. Felt like I needed a bath when we got home; got up and 5:00 a.m. and took the bath, etc.
I always wash my hands before touching anything after riding public transit but this could be a huge blow to the idea of using transit at all. However, I won't change my riding habits, will just continue dressing like this:
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04-30-2009, 12:35 PM
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#95
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Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 23,041
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I am home sick today with a cold. Normally, I might go to w*rk anyway, but in light of current circumstances, I thought it might be best to avoid freaking people out by hacking and coughing all day.
__________________
Living an analog life in the Digital Age.
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04-30-2009, 12:41 PM
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#96
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 6,506
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Voted no.
Living in SW nowhere PA, it'll make no difference in daily life. Not much international travel from here.
__________________
There must be moderation in everything, including moderation.
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04-30-2009, 02:27 PM
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#97
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Kansas City
Posts: 7,968
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I like what ol Joe (Biden) said - too bad he had to take it back.
Political correctness being what it is now a days and all that bull.
heh heh heh - that sort of thing just takes the fun out of it.
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04-30-2009, 04:17 PM
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#98
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 4,898
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I had voted option C because I was waiting to see what develops. I'm taking this very seriously now. I'm making an effort to educate my adult children. And I'm buying OTC meds, which I usually never have in the house because I am so rarely sick. But now I'm thinking, what if my son and daughter in law are both sick? I may be the one to take care of them. So I've stocked up on everything I might need. I put it all in a Meds box, that I could carry with me whereever. Taking precautions doesn't hurt anyone.
Here's an excellent interview with Laurie Garrett an award winning health science writer. She provides an excellent overview of the situation now and some possible future behavior of this virus.
http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/
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04-30-2009, 04:29 PM
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#99
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,645
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I'm worried, but am always worried about my 3 yo DD. I wonder if I get it, or DW does, how do we prevent DD from getting it? And vice versa?
I did stock up on OTC meds and asked DW to get some food. She is not worried, but then again she never worries about anything.
I will hit the store tomorrow and get a bunch of shelf stable food. I'll eat it eventually and will feel much better being prepared.
I guess that's what bothers me. I feel like I can't do anything and am just waiting around. SO, its good to take some action, even if its hoarding some food ;-)
ETA: I will feel better (or worse) once leathality is better known...
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04-30-2009, 05:27 PM
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#100
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Hooverville
Posts: 22,983
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ziggy29
It's an opinion, a gut feeling. I clearly wasn't stating it as fact and I'm clearly not a public health professional.
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Not expecting you to be a public health professional. But also not sure what weight should be given to your gut.
I suppose if it is a very advanced gut it may be able to place probabiliites on all the essentially unknowable factors.
Ha
__________________
"As a general rule, the more dangerous or inappropriate a conversation, the more interesting it is."-Scott Adams
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