Comments on: Sunday Open Thread

By: Unstable Isotope

Unstable Isotope — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 20:52:32 +0000

The influenza-like illness that we track with our ILInet sentinel provider system is showing higher levels of illness than we saw last week. Again, these are unprecedented levels of illness. The national average is about 6.1% of doctors visits, for purposes of influenza-like illness that's very high at any time particularly in October. We also track mortality around the country. Through something called the pneumonia and influenza mortality survey with 122 cities. And for the first week this fall, we're seeing that the amount of influenza and pneumonia mortality is above the epidemic threshold. All of these things may suggest it's a very busy and difficult flu season and we are seeing very high levels of activity around the country. We are also having updates on the pediatric deaths. Unfortunately those are going up as well. There are now a total of 86 children under 18 who died from this H1N1 influenza virus, the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus. We had 11 more influenza pediatric deaths reported in week 40, which is the week that ends October 10. Ten of those are confirmed to be due to the new strain, the 2009 H1N1 strain and the 11th is probably due to that but the typing hasn't been completed. About half of the deaths that we've seen in children since September 1st have been occurring in teens between the ages of 12 and 17. These are very sobering statistics, unfortunately, they are likely to increase... We hope that the continuing deaths in children will be as few as possible but this is a very brisk number, usually in a whole season that lasts from going to September all the way to may, you would only have about 40 or 50 deaths so in just one month's time we've had that many.

By: Unstable Isotope

Unstable Isotope — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 20:40:51 +0000

More children have died from this flu than die every year. It’s especially harmful for children.

By: Joanne Christian

Joanne Christian — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 20:01:41 +0000

First off–my problem is the hype–not the science. WHO has quit tracking this disease, unless there are pockets of abberrent “typical flu like symptoms”. There has not been any. Next, while I applaud the willingness of the US to dispense freely to schools, and other organizations–why the heck this bugger, and not any other flu shot? People are shelling out 25-40 bucks for the seasonal flu shot–but this one is thrown in like fortune cookies w/ your order? But again, w/ a bunch of drama and hype. I don’t like being made to feel not getting the “shot”, aligns w/ hysteria. When actually in my POV, those outside of high-risk advised populations are the hysterical ones. We are going to vomit, cough, and fever in our lives, all in good order. Our immune systems need to be trialed at times, to prep us for those greater diseases around the corner, and the ability to fight off the everyday viruses and bugs that we come in contact with–that don’t necessitate a vaccination. We can’t hermetically seal our existence, and struggles. This disease we can ride out, albeit inconveniently. And a word from science….the epidemilogical studies from polio did demonstrate direct correlation of increased chilhood outbreaks to higher socio-economic status vs. lower SES. The reason? Higher SES did not have the same target immunity–clothes were clean, water always fresh, access to antibiotics, etc., etc., etc.. Essentially, their immune systems were not up to the fight of polio, as a lower SES counterpart who had endured “teases” of immune strength either thru non-potable water, outhouse usage whatever. Big difference in diseases I know..but still in the scope of things…I think this household can weather a different flu. FYI though, my niece was hospitalized in Colorado last week w/ complications of H1N1. She has severe special needs and falls into a demographic that should avail themselves of this program. Was not available yet…and interestingly enough, the rest of the household was tested, with a negative result. All is well.
So in conclusion…not hysterical…just not getting it.

By: nemski

nemski — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 19:22:53 +0000

Balloon Boy officially a hoax! Sad. (link)

By: pandora

pandora — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 19:16:39 +0000

Also, the vaccine is voluntary. Joanne, what is your problem with the vaccine – scientifically speaking?

By: Unstable Isotope

Unstable Isotope — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 19:07:28 +0000

Joanne,

I’m not sure what your issue is with the H1N1 vaccine. It’s made the same way as the yearly seasonal flu vaccine and it was tested on more than 3000 healthy volunteers. Click on the link above for more info. As for pharma, I think like any other industry they think of profit first. They actually spend more money on advertising than on research but they do real research. I think they’ve spent too much time making “me too” drugs and blockbuster medicines.

By: pandora

pandora — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 19:02:14 +0000

Joanne, you’re mixing up my statements. I never implied that pharma shouldn’t be held accountable. But you, and your children, are entitled not to vaccinate. If I believed in god, I’d offer to keep you in my prayers.

By: Joanne Christian

Joanne Christian — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 18:51:30 +0000

Pandora sweetie, it’s not level if there is no accountability. Not one shred–full pass. Heck, I’m probably more accountable as one who administers the injection/spray!

On another note, I’m cooking an uncooked ham today and it really smells like bacon.

And lastly, break a leg Smitty’s wife!

By: pandora

pandora — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 18:41:10 +0000

Hang onto your hat, Joanne. I’m working on an H1N1 post as you type. Although, it will take me a while since I’m getting all my facts together. And I don’t recall anyone writing that they hate pharma, just that we want a level playing field.

By: Joanne Christian

Joanne Christian — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 18:29:14 +0000

Oh yea–and on your anti-vaccination hysteria note in regards to Swine Flu–what about the “vaccination hysteria”? You bet I want ‘em for devastating diseases like polio and smallpox–but open-minded, reasonable me can ride out an inconvenient infirmity, should it hit the household. No hysteria here. Just a choice. And boy, you pharma hating posters seem to be all okey dokey I guess w/ Sebellius’s full legal immunity granted to pharma w/ this particular innocculation. Can I invoke my woman’s right to choose on this one ?

By: Unstable Isotope

Unstable Isotope — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 18:16:11 +0000

When my mom went to college, all the women had to apply through the Home Economics department.

By: Joanne Christian

Joanne Christian — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 18:11:57 +0000

Rebecca–too funny, what just seemed normal. We have the grandparents’ wedding certificate, which lists grandma’s occupation as “spinster”…mind you, she had travelled, schooled, and was gainfully employed before saying “I do” to that itinerant sheepherder! I think she was around 25-26.

By: Brooke

Brooke — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 18:08:03 +0000

Axelrod is correct. And Phyllis Schafly is not. And it’s too, if not exactly nice a day at least not totally storming, to argue with anons about Dubya. But i wanted to pop in and say “hi”. Easier to build an actual deathstar than carve that pumpkin, I think. LOL.

By: Unstable Isotope

Unstable Isotope — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 17:14:37 +0000

Axelrod says that Fox News isn't really a news channel.

By: Unstable Isotope

Unstable Isotope — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 16:54:50 +0000

Cool pumpkins and here. I love the Death Star pumpkin.