Swine Flue outbreak in Mexico, US; 20 confirmed dead.

[jimmy olsen]

Altough I think (and hope) this is just another bird flu panic attack, the question is interesting.

Hasn't it already killed a lot more people then the Bird Flu ever did in such a short time?

[Lucidor]

The BBC piece, where they speculate about around 200 deaths is worrying.

I am wondering, if this turns out to be sort of a rerun of the Spanish flu, with significant mortality rates in the "not infant, not elderly" group: Would you still go to work if there was a risk of you contracting it? I'm leaning towards that it's my duty and that I have to go, but I work in healthcare, so it's a special case.

Altough I think (and hope) this is just another bird flu panic attack, the question is interesting. The geniuses at my office thought its a good idea to keep several hundred people in a single open space, so I would be almost guaranteed to catch this thing if it reaches the country. Yet I would not skip work because of it.

The Spanish flu was around for a long time, several months every year it came, IIRC, and absence from even non-essential positions would be noticed. I'd notice if my trash wasn't picked up or if no-one was stocking the supermarket.

Still, after the internet came, it's easier to "not meet anyone except your family."

[Lucidor]

Is this an Arab plot to destroy the Jews?

Clearly, it is our duty to wipe out the swine from the face of the earth. We should, as a country, devote all our efforts into making sure no pig walks on God's Green Earth ever again. My friends, it is time to eat BBQ until this menace is exterminated!

Yeah, Israelis eat a lot of pigs...


Still, I'd give it a go. I've always wanted to try that bacon monstrosity I read about some time ago.

[Neil]

Hockey Night In Canada?  That was last night, dude.

Just in case you don't know:

Head
Nigger
In
Charge

I know.  But every time you use it, I'll say it anyways.

[jimmy olsen]

8 cases in NYC, 7 in California, 2 in Texas, 2 in Kansas, 1 in Ohio.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30398682/

[Neil]

Given the terrible state of health care in the United States, I'm going to consider all American posters to be dead.

[alfred russel]

Given the terrible state of health care in the United States, I'm going to consider all American posters to be dead.

The U.S. has been the pharmaceuticals cash cow market for years. All the Tamiflu they can make will be sold to American rich people, while Canadian hospitals will have three month waiting lists for aspirin.

[Neil]

Given the terrible state of health care in the United States, I'm going to consider all American posters to be dead.

The U.S. has been the pharmaceuticals cash cow market for years. All the Tamiflu they can make will be sold to American rich people, while Canadian hospitals will have three month waiting lists for aspirin.

Hooray for generics.

Besides, are there any rich Americans left?  Either way, you're a dead man.

[alfred russel]

Hooray for generics.

Besides, are there any rich Americans left?  Either way, you're a dead man.

You shouldn't be taunting Americans about their economy now that oil is around $50 a barrel and your currency has regained its traditional monopoly money status.

[Neil]

Hooray for generics.

Besides, are there any rich Americans left?  Either way, you're a dead man.

You shouldn't be taunting Americans about their economy now that oil is around $50 a barrel and your currency has regained its traditional monopoly money status.

Why not?  Currency value has little to do with economic strength.  Only the blessing of god matters.

At any rate, we're getting away from the point here.  The point is that no country without public health care can survive a major outbreak, and that America will be judged for not adopting proper policies.

[Habsburg]

Altough I think (and hope) this is just another bird flu panic attack, the question is interesting.

Hasn't it already killed a lot more people then the Bird Flu ever did in such a short time?

Bird Flu never converted over to human to human transmission?  It stayed avain to human.

[HVC]

I hate the news. God damn sky is falling, ratings grabbing mother fuckers.

[grumbler]

Don't panic. The chain of command is bulletproof! There are no American tanks in Baghdad!

Hey!

Baghdad Bob is MY schtick!

[Martinus]

I have sniffles. Do I have: swine flu? 

[katmai]

I have sniffles. Do I have: swine flu? 

We'd be only so lucky. 



Talked to my dad down in MBM's neck of woods, said that churches stopped services and schools were going to be closed as folks are nervous.