SWINE FLU: OH SHIT!
The other week when we had a heatwave (British version, with lots of rain) I saw an expert on telly saying that he was more worried about the amount of people who would die of the heat than he was about the amount of people who would die of swine flu. Now I've just seen an expert on telly saying swine flu could be a bigger threat to national security than terrorism. Worst case scenario 30% of the population might get it, with a possible 65,000 deaths - I just hope that they don't mean all at the same time because that could mess the country up somewhat. Although, looking on the bright side, at least the traffic would be lighter.
I live in Birmingham and the bloody thing is everywhere. For once, I'm not with those who think this is media hype. The thing is so infectious from where I'm sitting the 30% figure looks an underestimation.
I do wish however that the media would stop saying in such comforting tones that the only people dying from swine flu are the ones with underlying health conditions. I shouldn't imagine that's of much comfort to people with underlying health conditions.
4 comments:
IF all the scare headlines
said INSTEAD -
"carry large proper handkerchief to contain ALL coughs and sneezes"
and/or
"wash your hands properly between touching public surfaces and touching food/face"
then All would be Well.
This is how things should be at ALL times.
SIX weeks have passed since the first cases, and today's media is:
Swine flu could kill 65,000 in UK, warns chief medical officer
guardian.co.uk - 1 hour ago
Liam Donaldson, the chief medical officer, at the Department of Health.
As many as 65000 people could die from swine flu in the UK in a worst case scenario set out by the chief medical officer as the government ...
Video: Swine flu virus began life in a lab? RT
Obama earmarks $1.8 billion for swine flu fight Reuters;
AND there is a Wikipedia: 2009 flu pandemic by country
The advice should so clear:
a) be hygienic as FGMS suggests
b) if you think you feel really ill and you think it's swine flu, stay the hell away from other people for at least five days.
c) ask for Tamiflu if XYZ applies to you, but not otherwise.
Instead we have lots of waffly information that most people aren't going to bother reading. Not that it would make any difference if they did. As a lot of people already go to their GP if they are suffering a normal cold, they are sure as hell going to go if they think they've got an internationally famous virus that's being reported on the telly. We're all doomed.
just left the British Medical Journal blog, where there were several excellent pieces to read.
One concluded with remarks on Cherie Blair "the best remedy is sympathy so she will be thrilled to read ..."
and then it lists some of the dreadful print comment on her having it.
blogs/bmj.co.uk/
(I think - that's from memory)
worth a visit.
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