Mexico Swine Flu Deaths Spark Concerns Of Global Epidemic (http://languish.org/forums/index.php?action=post;board=1.0)
QuoteMexican and U.S. officials are taking emergency steps to contain the possible outbreak of a new multi-strain of swine flu that has killed at least 20 people and may be responsible for scores of other deaths.
Mexican health officials confirmed at least 20 deaths associated with the new flu strain Friday and ordered the most sweeping shutdown of public gathering places in decades.
Authorities closed schools, museums, libraries and theaters in the capital, Mexico City, to try to contain any possible outbreak. Many people in the capital were wearing face masks while in public. Authorities say 1,000 people have become ill.
Mexico's Health Minister, Jose Angel Cordoba, says the new influenza mutated from pigs to humans and is now considered a "respiratory outbreak." This, he says, is why the Health Ministry in Mexico City is recommending that people avoid crowded places.
Officials at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention describe the virus as having a unique combination of genetic material from pigs, birds and humans. They say the virus may be completely new, or may have been present for some time, and only now been detected through improved testing and surveillance.
The CDC says tests indicate some of the Mexico victims died from the same new strain of virus that sickened eight people in California and Texas. But authorities say the U.S. cases have been mild and that all eight people recovered. They say none of the U.S. patients had any contact with pigs.
Dr. Michael Osterholm of the University of Minnesota says while new details about the virus are being learned experts are still not sure how much it might spread. "We are really in a very difficult position right now. We have much more uncertainty than we do certainty and unfortunately that uncertainty all bodes poorly for the future if we show ongoing transmission," said Dr. Osterholm.
Scientists have long been concerned that a new flu virus could spark a worldwide pandemic. A pandemic is usually declared when there is a new virus to which few people have resistance, the virus is easily transmissible and sustainable within a population, and causes severe illness.
The World Health Organization says it has sent a team of experts to the United States and Mexico to monitor the situations there. The WHO says it is convening an expert panel to consider raising the pandemic alert level.
Dr. Richard Besser, acting director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, says such a declaration is not likely. "WHO is not at the point of declaring a pandemic. We are at the point of trying to learn more about this virus and understand its transmission and how to control it," said Dr. Besser.
The CDC says swine flu usually occurs in people who have been exposed to pigs, although human-to-human transmission is also possible. Symptoms resemble the regular human seasonal influenza and include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Its Web site says some people with swine flu experience a runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
The CDC also says that between December 2005 and February of this year, 12 cases of human swine flu infection were reported.
U.S. officials say the White House is monitoring the situation.
http://www.who.int/csr/don/2009_04_24/en/index.html
QuoteInfluenza-Like Illness in the United States and Mexico
24 April 2009 -- The United States Government has reported seven confirmed human cases of Swine Influenza A/H1N1 in the USA (five in California and two in Texas) and nine suspect cases. All seven confirmed cases had mild Influenza-Like Illness (ILI), with only one requiring brief hospitalization. No deaths have been reported.
The Government of Mexico has reported three separate events. In the Federal District of Mexico, surveillance began picking up cases of ILI starting 18 March. The number of cases has risen steadily through April and as of 23 April there are now more than 854 cases of pneumonia from the capital. Of those, 59 have died. In San Luis Potosi, in central Mexico, 24 cases of ILI, with three deaths, have been reported. And from Mexicali, near the border with the United States, four cases of ILI, with no deaths, have been reported.
Of the Mexican cases, 18 have been laboratory confirmed in Canada as Swine Influenza A/H1N1, while 12 of those are genetically identical to the Swine Influenza A/H1N1 viruses from California.
The majority of these cases have occurred in otherwise healthy young adults. Influenza normally affects the very young and the very old, but these age groups have not been heavily affected in Mexico.
Because there are human cases associated with an animal influenza virus, and because of the geographical spread of multiple community outbreaks, plus the somewhat unusual age groups affected, these events are of high concern.
The Swine Influenza A/H1N1 viruses characterized in this outbreak have not been previously detected in pigs or humans. The viruses so far characterized have been sensitive to oseltamivir, but resistant to both amantadine and rimantadine.
The World Health Organization has been in constant contact with the health authorities in the United States, Mexico and Canada in order to better understand the risk which these ILI events pose. WHO (and PAHO) is sending missions of experts to Mexico to work with health authorities there. It is helping its Member States to increase field epidemiology activities, laboratory diagnosis and clinical management. Moreover, WHO's partners in the Global Alert and Response Network have been alerted and are ready to assist as requested by the Member States.
WHO acknowledges the United States and Mexico for their proactive reporting and their collaboration with WHO and will continue to work with Member States to further characterize the outbreak.
Time to travel to Boulder (or Las Vegas, respectively)?
:tinfoil:
This ain't no captain trips
According to Bloomberg at least 68 have died and over a 1,000 cases are on record in the Mexico City area.
Quote from: katmai on April 25, 2009, 04:47:59 AM
This ain't no captain trips
Still have to make a Stand, though. ;)
I'll be Randall Flagg.
Bird flu was a bust, lets hope this is too.
Quote from: jimmy olsen on April 25, 2009, 08:19:39 AM
Bird flu was a bust, lets hope this is too.
They mentioned among the swine and human genetic material, avian material was also present. I'm wondering if this is a related strain.
Quote from: DontSayBanana on April 25, 2009, 10:31:07 AM
Quote from: jimmy olsen on April 25, 2009, 08:19:39 AM
Bird flu was a bust, lets hope this is too.
They mentioned among the swine and human genetic material, avian material was also present. I'm wondering if this is a related strain.
No. It's an European and North American strain, not the lethal H5N1 strain found in Asia.
While there are casualties in Mexico, none of the people infected in the US have died. They all recovered.
Also, it is reported by the WHO that this strain is treatable with antiviruses like Tamiflu. The current H1N1 strain flu vaccine is inefficient against that strain, but it is normal as it is a mutated swine strain.
Quote from: Ed Anger on April 25, 2009, 08:15:54 AM
I'll be Randall Flagg.
Shush. We are not in Kansas anymore.
I for one welcome our new microbial overlords and remind them that they could always use trust worthy humans to work in their Matrix-esque human incubator fields.
Quote from: Martinus on April 25, 2009, 01:57:28 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on April 25, 2009, 08:15:54 AM
I'll be Randall Flagg.
Shush. We are not in Kansas anymore.
Your type of gay will be outlawed in Las Vegas.
Quote from: mongers on April 25, 2009, 03:26:59 PM
Hmm, if this is comment on the BBC have your say item about Mexico is genuine then, ........
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/talking_point/8018428.stm (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/talking_point/8018428.stm)
QuoteI work as a resident doctor in one of the biggest hospitals in Mexico City and sadly, the situation is far from "under control". As a doctor, I realise that the media does not report the truth. Authorities distributed vaccines among all the medical personnel with no results, because two of my partners who worked in this hospital (interns) were killed by this new virus in less than six days even though they were vaccinated as all of us were. The official number of deaths is 20, nevertheless, the true number of victims are more than 200. I understand that we must avoid to panic, but telling the truth it might be better now to prevent and avoid more deaths.
Yeny Gregorio Dávila, Mexico City
Anyone seen the original Survivors ? :tinfoil: :ph34r: :area52:
Reading thru the rest of the comments as well doesn't set a calming picture.
Quote from: Ed Anger on April 25, 2009, 04:38:06 PM
Quote from: Martinus on April 25, 2009, 01:57:28 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on April 25, 2009, 08:15:54 AM
I'll be Randall Flagg.
Shush. We are not in Kansas anymore.
Your type of gay will be outlawed in Las Vegas.
You will have to close the Liberace Museum then.
I think we cna all agree that most of this is just hype and will go away fairly soon.
Quote from: mongers on April 25, 2009, 07:03:22 PM
Quote from: Darth Wagtaros on April 25, 2009, 04:41:16 PM
I think we cna all agree that most of this is just hype and will go away fairly soon.
One of the first symptoms is apparently reduced hand to eye coordination. :hug:
That's only useful if you want to poke your eye out. ;)
Appropriate smiley.
This could be bad. If this flu variant is spread by human-to-human aerosol, we might be in trouble. At least that's the attitude I'd adopt if I were the head of the CDC.
I recently read World War Z, good book to read right before this. Also, this reminds me, I played that pandemic game yesterday after watching the news of this.
11 more suspected cases in the US. Hmm
This starting to sound scary. I'm gonna start stockpiling food and Tamiflu.
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 25, 2009, 08:13:18 PM
11 more suspected cases in the US. Hmm
That's it, I'm heading to Madagascar before they close the seaport.
Quote from: Legbiter on April 25, 2009, 08:02:03 PM
This could be bad. If this flu variant is spread by human-to-human aerosol, we might be in trouble. At least that's the attitude I'd adopt if I were the head of the CDC.
We haven't had a pandemic in ages and they're normally relatively regular.
I've got a bunker set up :)
Quote from: Legbiter on April 26, 2009, 11:22:36 AM
Quote from: FunkMonk on April 25, 2009, 08:13:18 PM
11 more suspected cases in the US. Hmm
That's it, I'm heading to Madagascar before they close the seaport.
:lol:
Just got back from a two hour meeting on this.
They activated one of the plans at work over an "abundance of caution". Or in real world speak, a VP watched MSNBC and shit his or her pants.
:lol: :bleeding:
Quote from: Ed Anger on April 26, 2009, 02:49:00 PM
Just got back from a two hour meeting on this.
They activated one of the plans at work over an "abundance of caution". Or in real world speak, a VP watched MSNBC and shit his or her pants.
Are they forcing you to wear a mask?
Quote from: Ed Anger on April 26, 2009, 02:49:00 PM
Just got back from a two hour meeting on this.
They activated one of the plans at work over an "abundance of caution". Or in real world speak, a VP watched MSNBC and shit his or her pants.
LOL wait a minute. Did they get you to come to a useless meeting on SUNDAY to discuss this shit?
:nelson:
Quote from: Martinus on April 26, 2009, 02:59:26 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on April 26, 2009, 02:49:00 PM
Just got back from a two hour meeting on this.
They activated one of the plans at work over an "abundance of caution". Or in real world speak, a VP watched MSNBC and shit his or her pants.
Are they forcing you to wear a mask?
No. :lol: There is a bit of overreaction going on.
Mostly, the 1st stage plan is to send home any employee who has the sniffles, and report any large scale absences.
At the office/campus I'm at, I'll be the HNIC for it(I HAVE THE POWER!) and oversee activation of any needed emergency procedures.
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg61.imageshack.us%2Fimg61%2F4797%2Fcrimson20king.gif&hash=1dbcd4af692a95389e230c647c049ece35138c34)
Quote from: Martinus on April 26, 2009, 03:00:18 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on April 26, 2009, 02:49:00 PM
Just got back from a two hour meeting on this.
They activated one of the plans at work over an "abundance of caution". Or in real world speak, a VP watched MSNBC and shit his or her pants.
LOL wait a minute. Did they get you to come to a useless meeting on SUNDAY to discuss this shit?
:nelson:
yes. On the 2nd round of the NFL draft too. :blush:
Quote from: Ed Anger on April 26, 2009, 03:06:34 PM
At the office/campus I'm at, I'll be the HNIC for it(I HAVE THE POWER!) and oversee activation of any needed emergency procedures.
I recommend asking the board to pass an enabling act.
Quote from: Neil on April 26, 2009, 03:09:13 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on April 26, 2009, 03:06:34 PM
At the office/campus I'm at, I'll be the HNIC for it(I HAVE THE POWER!) and oversee activation of any needed emergency procedures.
I recommend asking the board to pass an enabling act.
:D
If this shit gets too bad, I'll give security a donative and declare myself Augustus.
Quote from: Ed Anger on April 26, 2009, 03:06:34 PM
No. :lol: There is a bit of overreaction going on.
Mostly, the 1st stage plan is to send home any employee who has the sniffles, and report any large scale absences.
At the office/campus I'm at, I'll be the HNIC for it(I HAVE THE POWER!) and oversee activation of any needed emergency procedures.
WHAT IF YOU HAVE THE SNIFFLES TOMORROW? WERE YOUR BACKUP HNICs AT THE MEETING TODAY? WHO WILL BE ABLE TO IMPLEMENT THE EMERGENCY PROCEDURES?
Quote from: alfred russel on April 26, 2009, 03:14:17 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on April 26, 2009, 03:06:34 PM
No. :lol: There is a bit of overreaction going on.
Mostly, the 1st stage plan is to send home any employee who has the sniffles, and report any large scale absences.
At the office/campus I'm at, I'll be the HNIC for it(I HAVE THE POWER!) and oversee activation of any needed emergency procedures.
WHAT IF YOU HAVE THE SNIFFLES TOMORROW? WERE YOUR BACKUP HNICs AT THE MEETING TODAY? WHO WILL BE ABLE TO IMPLEMENT THE EMERGENCY PROCEDURES?
Don't panic. The chain of command is bulletproof! There are no American tanks in Baghdad!
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg134.imageshack.us%2Fimg134%2F415%2Fpropministerbaghdad.jpg&hash=d549f23ad60ff59ba4235a8055db2a302bc8a0d4)
Hockey Night In Canada? That was last night, dude.
Quote from: Neil on April 26, 2009, 03:22:25 PM
Hockey Night In Canada? That was last night, dude.
Just in case you don't know:
Head
Nigger
In
Charge
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.
Quote from: Ed Anger on April 26, 2009, 03:23:42 PM
Quote from: Neil on April 26, 2009, 03:22:25 PM
Hockey Night In Canada? That was last night, dude.
Just in case you don't know:
Head
Nigger
In
Charge
I thought it was "head nincompoop in charge." :blush:
Quote from: Lucidor on April 26, 2009, 03:27:37 PM
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.
Quote from: Lucidor on April 26, 2009, 03:27:37 PM
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.
Fuck no. The books will still be there when I get back. :P
QuoteThere are suspect cases in Israel, NZ (confirmed), Spain and France that were airline travelers from Mexico (KS and NYC has similar cases, both now confirmed.)
Is this an Arab plot to destroy the Jews? :o
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!
Quote from: Tamas on April 26, 2009, 03:31:35 PM
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?
Quote from: Tamas on April 26, 2009, 03:31:35 PM
Quote from: Lucidor on April 26, 2009, 03:27:37 PM
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."
Quote from: Fireblade on April 26, 2009, 03:37:30 PM
Is this an Arab plot to destroy the Jews? :o
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 (http://www.bbqaddicts.com/blog/recipes/bacon-explosion/) I read about some time ago.
Quote from: Ed Anger on April 26, 2009, 03:23:42 PM
Quote from: Neil on April 26, 2009, 03:22:25 PM
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.
8 cases in NYC, 7 in California, 2 in Texas, 2 in Kansas, 1 in Ohio.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30398682/
Given the terrible state of health care in the United States, I'm going to consider all American posters to be dead.
Quote from: Neil on April 26, 2009, 05:31:07 PM
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.
Quote from: alfred russel on April 26, 2009, 05:47:06 PM
Quote from: Neil on April 26, 2009, 05:31:07 PM
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.
Quote from: Neil on April 26, 2009, 05:56:30 PM
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.
Quote from: alfred russel on April 26, 2009, 06:20:48 PM
Quote from: Neil on April 26, 2009, 05:56:30 PM
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.
Quote from: jimmy olsen on April 26, 2009, 03:37:44 PM
Quote from: Tamas on April 26, 2009, 03:31:35 PM
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.
I hate the news. God damn sky is falling, ratings grabbing mother fuckers.
Quote from: Ed Anger on April 26, 2009, 03:17:13 PM
Don't panic. The chain of command is bulletproof! There are no American tanks in Baghdad!
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg134.imageshack.us%2Fimg134%2F415%2Fpropministerbaghdad.jpg&hash=d549f23ad60ff59ba4235a8055db2a302bc8a0d4)
Hey! :mad:
Baghdad Bob is MY schtick! :contract:
I have sniffles. Do I have: swine flu? :cry:
Quote from: Martinus on April 27, 2009, 01:30:30 AM
I have sniffles. Do I have: swine flu? :cry:
We'd be only so lucky. :P
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.
Quote from: katmai on April 27, 2009, 01:32:16 AM
Quote from: Martinus on April 27, 2009, 01:30:30 AM
I have sniffles. Do I have: swine flu? :cry:
We'd be only so lucky. :P
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.
:punk:
Mental note for the future. :shifty:
AYE DIOS MIO ES LA GRIPA DE COCHINO!!!!
Well, the good news seems to be that the 20 identified cases in the U.S. were non-lethal and treatable.
Which Horeseman was the pandemic again ? Second or Third ?
"The End Times are approaching. Humanity's final chapter is about to be written"
Gods it'll be just like sipping cognac when the Titanic founders :wub:
G.
Quote from: Grallon on April 27, 2009, 07:09:43 AM
Which Horeseman was the pandemic again ? Second or Third ?
"The End Times are approaching. Humanity's final chapter is about to be written"
Gods it'll be just like sipping cognac when the Titanic founders :wub:
G.
You are retarded. :lol:
Ed Anger's Disease log: Day one
Temp: 97.8
No cough
Saw a large black man wearing a placard and ringing a bell. Got a case of the heebie jeebies.
I might perish. Will update as Status change.
Quote from: Grallon on April 27, 2009, 07:09:43 AM
Which Horeseman was the pandemic again ? Second or Third ?
War, Famine, Pestilence (sometimes Plague), Death.
I've been called a pig before, does that mean I have bigger chances of catching this thing? :unsure:
As long as you only roll around in your own shit you should stay clear.
Swine flue?
There is only a limited amount of damage a novelty pig-shaped chimney can do. :P
I have a guinea pig, what should I do?
What if swine flu goes nuclear?
Quote from: I Killed Kenny on April 27, 2009, 11:58:45 AM
I have a guinea pig, what should I do?
Ask a Peruvian for ideas. :menace:
Quote from: Martinus on April 27, 2009, 01:30:30 AM
I have sniffles. Do I have: swine flu? :cry:
This is the reason I'm glad I'm not a family doctor/GP in times such as these. :lol:
Quote from: I Killed Kenny on April 27, 2009, 11:58:45 AM
I have a guinea pig, what should I do?
keep playing the pan flute. keeps them at bay.
my Japanese student was in Mexico a few weeks ago, and had to cancel last week due to a "cold". should I be worried about tonight's lesson?
Quote from: Warspite on April 27, 2009, 12:13:10 PM
What if swine flu goes nuclear?
nucular swine flu? would each infected individual detonate in a small mushroom cloud after the incubation period further spreading the nukular swine flu? now thats is worth the hype.
Quick, sell your idea to M. Night Shyamalan. I smell a horrible, horrible movie in the future. :blush:
Quote from: Martinus on April 27, 2009, 01:30:30 AM
I have sniffles. Do I have: swine flu? :cry:
I wouldn't worry, it's probably just AIDS.
Quote from: DGuller on April 27, 2009, 12:30:53 PMI wouldn't worry, it's probably just AIDS.
:lol: Any time I'm sick my brother says "Is it AIDS?"
:o
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi13.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fa299%2FSlayhem%2FSeventh_Seal.jpg&hash=cbcaeeabd69f8c7a7752facbe2f8b605a8872e74)
Now Mexico had an earthquake, this read just like that pandemic game, Madagascar will close up anytime now.
The earthquake wasn't caused by a virus.
Quote from: The Brain on April 27, 2009, 02:04:04 PM
The earthquake wasn't caused by a virus.
The earth sneezed.
Quote from: The Brain on April 27, 2009, 02:04:04 PM
The earthquake wasn't caused by a virus.
No, it was a game random event.
Quote from: lustindarkness on April 27, 2009, 02:09:59 PM
Quote from: The Brain on April 27, 2009, 02:04:04 PM
The earthquake wasn't caused by a virus.
No, it was a game random event.
:D
That's exactly what I thought. We all look at this virus through the prism of a web game.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1081515.html (http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1081515.html)
Quote'Israel must call new disease Mexico Flu, as swine unkosher'
By The Associated Press
Ultra-Orthodox Deputy Health Minister Yakov Litzman on Monday declared that Israel would call the new potentially deadly disease that has already struck two continents 'Mexico Flu,' rather than 'Swine Flu, as pigs are not kosher.
"We will call it Mexico flu. We won't call it swine flu," Litzman told a news conference on Monday, assuring the Israeli public that authorities were prepared to handle any cases.
Under Jewish dietary laws, pigs are considered unclean and pork is forbidden food, although the non-kosher meat is available in some stores in Israel.
Two cases of suspected swine flu have been detected in Israel, but Health Ministry officials have said chances are low that either hospitalized men has actually contracted the disease.
Both men, one 47 years old and the other 26, were quarantined after checking into hospital with flu-like symptoms upon their return from Mexico this week.
Silly jews... :lol:
I use a Mac at work, so these silly viruses are never a problem as they are with PCs.
But I'll make sure I don't open any attachments from a Mexican address.
Work update: sent a few people home. Felt good flexing my authority. Was nice and told thim it doesn't count against their sick days.
Also: playing Johnny Cash's The Man Comes Around over the PA: Tacky or not?
I seriously thought about it. :blush:
Quote from: Ed Anger on April 27, 2009, 04:28:19 PM
Also: playing Johnny Cash's The Man Comes Around over the PA: Tacky or not?
I seriously thought about it. :blush:
Do it. And blast it when it comes to the "100 million angels singing" part :)
Quote from: Ed Anger on April 27, 2009, 04:21:17 PM
Work update: sent a few people home. Felt good flexing my authority. Was nice and told thim it doesn't count against their sick days.
Man, you really showed them.
You should have destroyed them completely by giving them a ride home in your car. :P
Quote from: Ed Anger on April 27, 2009, 04:21:17 PM
Work update: sent a few people home. Felt good flexing my authority. Was nice and told thim it doesn't count against their sick days.
Your panic level is insufficient. You might not be cut out for upper-middle management.
A real branch manager would not have gotten out of that situation without a decent lawsuit or human rights complaint. Try this: Accuse any Jews (or better yet, Muslims) at your company of being suspicious, because they're a little too obvious in avoiding pigs, something that only an infected person would do. Either that, or ask the most attractive woman at your office if she wants to ride your hog.
Quote from: Ed Anger on April 27, 2009, 04:21:17 PM
Work update: sent a few people home. Felt good flexing my authority. Was nice and told thim it doesn't count against their sick days.
You are supposed to wait until they get sick before you start sending people home because of this....
I now really regret not stockpiling some Tamiflu earlier. By now they should be out of stock in all drug stores. The only way to get them now is by going to a doctor/hospital - but that's probably the last thing I want to do if I am infected.
All you wanted to know about swine
flu (no e, unless pigs have chimneys now) but were afraid to ask. From the Science Media Centre.
May I bring to your attention the last question:
20: Are we all going to die?
A: Yes but probably not of flu and more probably not of this virus ^_^
QuoteQuestions below answered by Professor Andrew Easton, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Warwick. Answers to the same questions by Dr John McConnell, editor of The Lancet Infectious Diseases can be viewed here.
1: Can you comment on early detection methods and vaccine synthesis?
A: With regard to vaccine synthesis, the current system of preparation of vaccines will be activated when it is clear that the situation merits it i.e. when the WHO determines that the pattern of infection is such to suggest that the virus represents a significant threat. Having done this there will be a delay as the vaccine candidate is prepared. Most importantly, there will be a necessary delay as the vaccine stocks are produced and disseminated. At best this will take 6 months and possibly more. A concern must be the availability of the materials necessary to generate sufficient vaccine stocks. Current information suggests that there may be a shortfall in the immediate term.
2: Is screening at airports a waste of time?
A: Health surveillance in these situations is always helpful. As was seen with the SARS outbreak viruses can be spread as a result of international travel. The type of screening being done is designed simply to detect travellers with elevated temperatures and that could be due to many causes quite unrelated to flu. This means that the way in which the screen is used is the important factor. It is essential that any response is proportionate and careful.
3: Why does the flu seem to be less deadly outside of New Mexico, is it the disease changing or simply better healthcare in more developed countries?
A: It is probably too early to say. A complete answer would require a lot of information about individual patients and their treatment.
4: What do we know about the disease? What don't we know?
A: We know it is flu and that means we understand quite a lot. However, we are a long way from understanding everything about flu.
5: How quickly might it spread?
A: It might spread very slowly but equally it might spread quickly. At the moment the information is not sufficient to say. It is necessary to monitor the rate of spread as closely as possible and use that to predict likely patterns of spread. The factors that affect spread of influenza are not completely understood.
6: How bad is it going to get?
A: Cannot answer
7: The basic virology of flu -- how do new viruses like the Mexico strain arise? What makes them nasty?
A: Taking the first part. Flu is unusual in that it is able to exchange genes with other flu viruses. To do this two or more different flu viruses must infect the same individual or animal at the same time. Obviously this is rare. This reassortment process generates new gene combinations and it is these that represent the threat since humans may not have encountered them before. With the second part we do not know what makes a 'nasty' flu virus.
8: Why do the US and Mexico flanks of the outbreak apparently look so different?
A: See question 3.
9: Will there be any cross-immunity between normal H1N1 and the Mexico strain?
A: At the moment the information suggests that there is very little if any cross immunity.
10: What plausible explanations are there for the apparent mismatch between what's Mexico and the United States.
A: see Q 3.
11. what are the chances of this year's seasonal flu vaccine containing anything that might offer protection against this strain.
A: If there is an inadequate level of cross immunity as appears to be the case the current vaccine will have minimal effect.
12: A reminder of a timeline for flu transmission including when symptoms develop, when people are infectious and not etc.
A: The best description is available through CDC or WHO.
13: Masks - how useful are they in offering any protection or are they simply a measure that makes people feel better
A: The correct mask can have an effect of reducing risk, though it is difficult to quantitate for a population.
14: What thoughts on international travel - should any further measures be taken to screen people?
A: See Q 2.
15: What are the chances of this strain mutating into a strain that is more dangerous and more virulent.
A: Cannot answer. We simply do not understand what is required for a virus to be more virulent. However, the likelihood must be low or it would happen more often.
16: Estimates of timeline to develop a vaccine - should that be needed.
A: See Q 1.
17: An explanation of how antivirals work
A: The current antivirals inhibit the function of a critical virus protein. This reduces the ability of the virus to grow.
18: Has the focus on H5N1 in recent years led to the risks from an H1N1 strain being underestimated?
A: No. While H5N1 has got a lot of attention especially from the media virologists have always recognised that a different virus may appear to generate a pandemic.
19: How prepared are we and what would happen if it does come here - face masks etc
A: The UK government has a pandemic emergency plan which was prepared some years ago. This has within it the measures possible to try ot reduce the impact of a pandemic. The emergency plan involves the availability of antiviral drugs (which have been shown to work with the latest virus) as well as other measures.
20: Are we all going to die?
A: Yes but probably not of flu and more probably not of this virus.
I hereby encourage everyone who is flying in the near future to try and look slightly ill, sniff a bit and mutter 'damn rabid pig' (ignorance is a wonderful thing) when on the plane.
The temperature detectors at airports are extremely easy to defeat. Just take some fever reducers.
Official death toll is up to 149 :(
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30398682/
Any deaths so far outside of Mexico?
Quote from: Monoriu on April 28, 2009, 05:26:09 AM
The temperature detectors at airports are extremely easy to defeat. Just take some fever reducers.
And that's it. Mono, in the movie you will be the one; you know, the archetypical 'too clever by half' character that bypasses security measures, let's the lethal virus run wild, and billions of humans die...
Epidemiologists are generally of the opinion that if we channelled all the money from pandemic panics into diseases that actually do kill vast swathes of people, the money would be much better spent. But the pressure is on governments from the public in wealthy nations to protect themselves rather than save poor people. 1.6 million people died from TB in 2005, for instance. That's 24 per 100,000 population.
Quote from: jimmy olsen on April 28, 2009, 05:32:18 AM
Official death toll is up to 149 :(
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30398682/
It has been reported here that only about 20 of these deaths were caused by the swine flu and the rest is other causes. So far, all the deaths were in Mexico and it appears this is due to poor hygiene/ignoring the flu originally. It seems this flu is no more deadly than your typical, human variety of flu that we have each year.
Quote from: Monoriu on April 28, 2009, 05:26:09 AM
The temperature detectors at airports are extremely easy to defeat. Just take some fever reducers.
Are you a member of the Army of the 12 Monkeys?
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg509.imageshack.us%2Fimg509%2F6852%2Fswineflupooh.gif&hash=34028e77e73205167624af7d54cd12fcdb35ff67) (http://img509.imageshack.us/my.php?image=swineflupooh.gif)
It seems that Mexican are simply not use to having the flu.
Quote from: Grallon on April 27, 2009, 07:09:43 AM
Gods it'll be just like sipping cognac when the Titanic founders :wub:
New
is slow reaching your neck of the woods, isn't it? Hate to tell you this, but you missed your chance to sip cognac when the
Titanic founders by some 97 years.
Quote from: Brazen on April 28, 2009, 05:05:41 AM
20: Are we all going to die?
A: Yes
:o Hell's bells! :(
Quote from: Tamas on April 28, 2009, 05:40:11 AM
Any deaths so far outside of Mexico?
Give it time. It's just beginning elsewhere and people are going to hospital over sniffles, when that's all Mexico had they didn't realize anything was wrong. Prepare to die. :cry:
I have a bad cough, should I be worried? :o
Quote from: Monoriu on April 28, 2009, 04:05:28 AM
I now really regret not stockpiling some Tamiflu earlier. By now they should be out of stock in all drug stores. The only way to get them now is by going to a doctor/hospital - but that's probably the last thing I want to do if I am infected.
Maybe some tiger penis will help?
Quote from: Brazen on April 28, 2009, 05:45:01 AM
Epidemiologists are generally of the opinion that if we channelled all the money from pandemic panics into diseases that actually do kill vast swathes of people, the money would be much better spent. But the pressure is on governments from the public in wealthy nations to protect themselves rather than save poor people. 1.6 million people died from TB in 2005, for instance. That's 24 per 100,000 population.
Well, naturally people are more concerned about what might affect them personally. Witness all the angst over the recession. People in some third-world countries were dying of starvation and whatnot both before and during this recession - but the press is far more concerned with people in the first world losing their jobs or their investments, than hordes of third-worlders dying.
Similarly, we in the first world keep people alive with expensive heart surgery and the like, when a pittance of the same resources could save hundreds of third world lives.
There were 69,000 deaths from TB in Europe in 2002, 46,000 in The Americas in the same period and 749 in the US in 2001. It's not just a developing world problem. It just doesn't have the glamour of the pandemic prefix or the association with an animal.
What's TB?
Quote from: Brazen on April 28, 2009, 08:15:34 AM
There were 69,000 deaths from TB in Europe in 2002, 46,000 in The Americas in the same period and 749 in the US in 2001. It's not just a developing world problem. It just doesn't have the glamour of the pandemic prefix or the association with an animal.
749 deaths? More people die in the US from accidentally inserting their penises into blenders.
As for Europe, well large swathes of Europe ARE 'the developing world'. Russia and its former colonies, for example.
Quote from: Brazen on April 28, 2009, 08:15:34 AM
There were 69,000 deaths from TB in Europe in 2002, 46,000 in The Americas in the same period and 749 in the US in 2001. It's not just a developing world problem. It just doesn't have the glamour of the pandemic prefix or the association with an animal.
I'm not sure I follow. Depending on definitions, large parts of "the Americas" and "Europe" *are* "developing world".
There is no doubt at all that people in the first world are - more indifferent to the diseases of poverty. That's simply a symptom of the fact that they are more indifferent to the *existence* of poverty and inequality, and are unwilling to pay the price of reducing the same - whether in their own countries or, even more so, in other countries.
Quote from: Grey Fox on April 28, 2009, 08:19:28 AM
What's TB?
Triple penetration. Really hardcore porn.
Quote from: Grey Fox on April 28, 2009, 08:19:28 AM
What's TB?
Consumption, what Legend Kidman died of at the end of Moulin Rouge!
TB is making a real comeback due to the development of some highly drug-resistant varieties.
My wife has had to be tested for TB due to working in the jail. <_<
Quote from: Habsburg on April 28, 2009, 01:10:34 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on April 28, 2009, 08:19:28 AM
What's TB?
Consumption, what Legend Kidman died of at the end of Moulin Rouge!
Nicole Kidman wasn't in Legend. That was Tom Cruise and Mia Sara.
Quote from: Barrister on April 28, 2009, 01:12:48 PM
TB is making a real comeback due to the development of some highly drug-resistant varieties.
My wife has had to be tested for TB due to working in the jail. <_<
Certainly; but it remains the case that TB is strongly causually linked to "poverty". It is stereoypically a disease of the poor (and of course prisioners in jail fit that bill). This was true in the past and remains true today.
Citation: http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/picrender.fcgi?artid=1696420&blobtype=pdf
Quote from: Brazen on April 28, 2009, 08:15:34 AM
There were 69,000 deaths from TB in Europe in 2002, 46,000 in The Americas in the same period and 749 in the US in 2001. It's not just a developing world problem. It just doesn't have the glamour of the pandemic prefix or the association with an animal.
How much is spent fighting it every year?
I bet it is a lot.
Quote from: Neil on April 28, 2009, 07:43:35 AM
Maybe some tiger penis will help?
You know Seedy's not around as much anymore when other people have to dial in his jokes.
Quote from: Berkut on April 28, 2009, 01:29:29 PM
How much is spent fighting it every year?
Just under $3 billion US, with something like $4.3 billion needed to hit the WHO's target, if I'm reading this report correctly.
http://www.who.int/tb/publications/global_report/2009/pdf/chapter3.pd
Breaking news from the BBC website:
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger declares state of emergency over flu threat... :huh:
Quote from: ulmont on April 28, 2009, 01:42:26 PM
Quote from: Berkut on April 28, 2009, 01:29:29 PM
How much is spent fighting it every year?
Just under $3 billion US, with something like $4.3 billion needed to hit the WHO's target, if I'm reading this report correctly.
http://www.who.int/tb/publications/global_report/2009/pdf/chapter3.pd
I kind of suspected that would be the case.
It's like when people say that apparently nobody cares about vehicle fatalities, because we spend $X on some other issue, when in fact so many more people die in car accidents.
The reality is of course that we spend an insane amount of money trying to prevent vehicular fatalities.
I imagine that if we spent $4.3 billion/year, the target number would be $6 billion.
Ed Anger Disease diary: day 2
Temp: around 97
No cough
Got a case of the squirts though. Shouldn't have used that sugar feee syrup with sobitol in it.
Quote from: Mr.Penguin on April 28, 2009, 01:48:06 PM
Breaking news from the BBC website:
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger declares state of emergency over flu threat... :huh:
Makes sense. California has terrible health care and is full of filthy Mexicans, who are most vulnerable to the disease.
I hope Jaron isn't dead.
I have cough and sniffles. I r: deaded. :(
Quote from: Martinus on April 28, 2009, 02:59:10 PM
I have cough and sniffles. I r: deaded. :(
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwGP9DAAi4A&feature=related
Quote from: Ed Anger on April 28, 2009, 03:01:12 PM
Quote from: Martinus on April 28, 2009, 02:59:10 PM
I have cough and sniffles. I r: deaded. :(
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwGP9DAAi4A&feature=related
:lol:
Quote from: Martinus on April 28, 2009, 02:59:10 PM
I have cough and sniffles. I r: deaded. :(
Making a big show of being sick now would be funny.
I was in great distress today. I didn't know whether to scare over the coughing people on the seat behind me or the average turbulence of the plane.
Finally I chose to panic over the fact that I had trouble solving the 'easy' soduku puzzles. :(
The source of the disease has now been identified.
Quote from: fahdiz on April 28, 2009, 01:37:05 PM
Quote from: Neil on April 28, 2009, 07:43:35 AM
Maybe some tiger penis will help?
You know Seedy's not around as much anymore when other people have to dial in his jokes.
He's too busy as his workplace is freaking out over the Flu :lol:
We need someone with artistic skills, we need a cartoon drawing of God playing Pandemic 2 on the computer, kneeling in front of the computer praying that Madagascar gets infected. ;) Who is he praying to?
The Bristol Public Health Agency (or something) that's got 7 suspected cases of swine flu is withing coughing distance of my house :o :weep:
So, have any actual pigs got the disease yet? :lol:
Quote from: MadImmortalMan on April 29, 2009, 02:28:09 AM
So, have any actual pigs got the disease yet? :lol:
No, but swine flu sounds more icky than Mexican flu I think. It's all about public relations.
I'm 36, I am: out of the demographics of deaders :yeah:
L.
Quote from: Pedrito on April 29, 2009, 03:57:34 AM
I'm 36, I am: out of the demographics of deaders :yeah:
L.
Uh you are smack dab in the age of most that have died.
QuoteMaking a big show of being sick now would be funny.
No kidding. The bosses used to make a huge fuss if we call in sick for flu. I wonder if they'll react the same way now :menace:
Quote from: katmai on April 29, 2009, 04:13:10 AM
Quote from: Pedrito on April 29, 2009, 03:57:34 AM
I'm 36, I am: out of the demographics of deaders :yeah:
L.
Uh you are smack dab in the age of most that have died.
I've read it was in the 18-35 range! :weep:
L.
Quote from: Pedrito on April 29, 2009, 04:25:27 AM
Quote from: katmai on April 29, 2009, 04:13:10 AM
Quote from: Pedrito on April 29, 2009, 03:57:34 AM
I'm 36, I am: out of the demographics of deaders :yeah:
L.
Uh you are smack dab in the age of most that have died.
I've read it was in the 18-35 range! :weep:
L.
From what i've read it's 25-45 in Mexico, part of reason they were so concerned by the fatality in age group that should be more resilient.
And 36! dang you are old !
My 36th birthday is in like 3 and half weeks :P
Quote from: fahdiz on April 28, 2009, 03:39:26 PM
The source of the disease has now been identified.
:lol:
*posts everywhere*
Quote from: katmai on April 29, 2009, 04:35:05 AM
And 36! dang you are old !
My 36th birthday is in like 3 and half weeks :P
I was younger when I started posting here :(
We should have a remake of the old "Who the fuck are you?" thread to post updated life statistics
L.
That's it. Americans are dead. US Health has just confirmed the first swine flu related death in Texas.
Quote from: Liep on April 29, 2009, 06:04:01 AM
That's it. Americans are dead. US Health has just confirmed the first swine flu related death in Texas.
Yeah, a 23 months old baby... we are far, far from the "20-50 years old range dieing everywhere" range that would put the swine flu in the Spanish flu area. :rolleyes:
Quote from: Drakken on April 29, 2009, 06:47:16 AM
Yeah, a 23 months old baby... we are far, far from the "20-50 years old range dieing everywhere" range that would put the swine flu in the Spanish flu area. :rolleyes:
Your state of panic is far below than what is expected in the age of Twitter.
Quote from: katmai on April 29, 2009, 04:35:05 AM
From what i've read it's 25-45 in Mexico, part of reason they were so concerned by the fatality in age group that should be more resilient.
If I understand correctly, the thought is that people in that age range tend to have the strongest immune systems, and thus strongest immunoresponse, but the virus actually provokes an OVER-response that can prove fatal. Therefore, if you're an old piece of crap with a weak immune system, the immunoresponse is less likely to prove fatal. I think that's the theory behind the Spanish Flu epidemic as well.
Quote from: Caliga on April 29, 2009, 06:50:41 AM
Quote from: katmai on April 29, 2009, 04:35:05 AM
From what i've read it's 25-45 in Mexico, part of reason they were so concerned by the fatality in age group that should be more resilient.
If I understand correctly, the thought is that people in that age range tend to have the strongest immune systems, and thus strongest immunoresponse, but the virus actually provokes an OVER-response that can prove fatal. Therefore, if you're an old piece of crap with a weak immune system, the immunoresponse is less likely to prove fatal. I think that's the theory behind the Spanish Flu epidemic as well.
And it would kill in these age groups everywhere. The thing is, it has done it reportedly only in Mexico, while in the rest of the world the cases were mild enough for them to remain at home sick. This doesn't make sense.
My take is that most of the people killed in Mexico died because the flu is there for months left untreated, of other factors, perhaps bacteria, bad hospital hygiene, late treatment, respiratory problems due to the smog and the high altitude of Mexico City, etc., added to the flu itself.
Well, also take into consideration that when the Spanish Flu hit medical understanding of virii was still in relative infancy. I think people did understand human contact was the cause, as I've seen pics of people wearing masks and being quarantined. So anyway it's going to be tough to compare this (if indeed it becomes an epidemic) to Spanish Flu, since medicine is so much more advanced now.
Quote from: Liep on April 29, 2009, 06:49:33 AM
Quote from: Drakken on April 29, 2009, 06:47:16 AM
Yeah, a 23 months old baby... we are far, far from the "20-50 years old range dieing everywhere" range that would put the swine flu in the Spanish flu area. :rolleyes:
Your state of panic is far below than what is expected in the age of Twitter.
I call it information awareness, which isn't encouraged at all by Wikipedia and Twitter. :cool:
Because seasonal flu, of course, doesn't kill anyone. Oh wait, it does: babies, kids, old people, and immunodepressed people in the thousands just in the US alone. Where is the swine flu is
confirmed to be any different?
Quote from: Drakken on April 29, 2009, 07:00:13 AMI call it information awareness, which isn't encouraged at all by Wikipedia and Twitter. :cool:
Because seasonal flu, of course, doesn't kill anyone. Oh wait, it does: babies, kids, old people, and immunodepressed people in the thousands just in the US alone. Where is the swine flu is confirmed to be any different?
Nowhere, but the media was getting bored reporting on stories of mass shootings in America's heartland. :)
There were probably a lot more cases in Mexico that weren't reported, as they were so mild that no one went to the doctor. There might be tens of thousands who barely noticed they were sick. But now in other countries, those cases are getting immediate treatment now that it is known it can be deadly.
Ed Anger Disease diary: Day 3
The local news has gone to hysteria mode, with a suspected case in Richmond, an hour away.
At work, the head office has moved the "alert"(for lack of a better term) to stage two as the local crisis management team will convene at noon today. As the head of that, and there being NO REAL CRISIS, I plan on sleeping through part of it.
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg142.imageshack.us%2Fimg142%2F2658%2Fwargamesgeneral1.jpg&hash=f025218fedd4cc710b752c0b47b8b6c0878eb14c)
Mr. McKittrick, after very careful consideration, sir, I've come to the conclusion that your new defense system sucks.
Flush the bombers, get the subs in launch mode. We are at DEFCON 1.
I work for a health care org, a group of hospitals, health care and doctor offices. I'm getting updates and info on Swine Flu, as to be expected given where I work. They're not hyping it I don't think, just putting the info out to all. I'm sure the medical staff gets more in the way of info, updates, plans of action.
Seems a bad time for this to hit, with the Spring/Summer allergy season starting, lots of people have some respiratory symptoms anyway, sometimes bad enough to feel like a cold or mild flu.
Quote from: KRonn on April 29, 2009, 07:37:22 AM
I work for a health care org, a group of hospitals, health care and doctor offices. I'm getting updates and info on Swine Flu, as to be expected given where I work. They're not hyping it I don't think, just putting the info out to all. I'm sure the medical staff gets more in the way of info, updates, plans of action.
Seems a bad time for this to hit, with the Spring/Summer allergy season starting, lots of people have some respiratory symptoms anyway, sometimes bad enough to feel like a cold or mild flu.
The information given by health care infrastructures and officials is top notch, I agree to that. No problem with them.
The problem is the media scare going apeshit around it, hyping it as a new Avian flu-type threat, while health care officials and physicians are much more level-headed about it. Perhaps it's because I live in Quebec, and no case has been reported as of now.
The good thing about summer is that is the end of the flu season and, maybe, it'll slow down in the Northern atmosphere. I am more worried about the Southern, though, as their flu season is about to begin. :(
I think it is absolutely essential NOT to notify an air crew that you are sick. They are most likely under standing orders to report sick cases to the destination airport - so that the health authorities can make a decision to turn back the aircraft if necessary. This must be even more true now. Take some over the counter medication, and pretend to be asleep during the trip. Don't attract any attention on the plane and don't seek medical assistance.
Quote from: Monoriu on April 29, 2009, 08:05:17 AM
I think it is absolutely essential NOT to notify an air crew that you are sick. They are most likely under standing orders to report sick cases to the destination airport - so that the health authorities can make a decision to turn back the aircraft if necessary. This must be even more true now. Take some over the counter medication, and pretend to be asleep during the trip. Don't attract any attention on the plane and don't seek medical assistance.
Typhoid Mary is in da house!
:D
Quote from: Monoriu on April 29, 2009, 08:05:17 AM
I think it is absolutely essential NOT to notify an air crew that you are sick. They are most likely under standing orders to report sick cases to the destination airport - so that the health authorities can make a decision to turn back the aircraft if necessary. This must be even more true now. Take some over the counter medication, and pretend to be asleep during the trip. Don't attract any attention on the plane and don't seek medical assistance.
This is why we should cut ties with China: They're evil.
Quote from: Monoriu on April 29, 2009, 08:05:17 AM
I think it is absolutely essential NOT to notify an air crew that you are sick. They are most likely under standing orders to report sick cases to the destination airport - so that the health authorities can make a decision to turn back the aircraft if necessary. This must be even more true now. Take some over the counter medication, and pretend to be asleep during the trip. Don't attract any attention on the plane and don't seek medical assistance.
That's stupid.
I hope Mono never gets a super bug, because he's obviously planning on taking everyone else out with him.
I sad thing is I believe mono is been serious. :(
He also totally over thinks what aircraft crew does. :lol:
Quote from: Grey Fox on April 29, 2009, 09:26:03 PM
He also totally over thinks what aircraft crew does. :lol:
Don't think so. Try asking for a doctor on a plane and see what happens. Trust me, they WILL notify the destination airport. There is a reason governments (at least those in developed countries) station health inspectors at airports. They'll come on board and check out the patient before they'll allow anyone to disembark - because they want to reserve the right to turn back the aircraft or qurantine everybody.
Quote from: Monoriu on April 29, 2009, 09:41:26 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on April 29, 2009, 09:26:03 PM
He also totally over thinks what aircraft crew does. :lol:
Don't think so. Try asking for a doctor on a plane and see what happens. Trust me, they WILL notify the destination airport. There is a reason governments (at least those in developed countries) station health inspectors at airports. They'll come on board and check out the patient before they'll allow anyone to disembark - because they want to reserve the right to turn back the aircraft or qurantine everybody.
Of course. People like you are dangerous.
Damn shitty time to come down with a flu, with all the news networks talking like it's the end of the world. Fortunately, I'm recovering, fever's not as bad as last night.
Judging from the maps, I've almost certainly got the regular variety.
Quote from: Monoriu on April 29, 2009, 09:41:26 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on April 29, 2009, 09:26:03 PM
He also totally over thinks what aircraft crew does. :lol:
Don't think so. Try asking for a doctor on a plane and see what happens. Trust me, they WILL notify the destination airport. There is a reason governments (at least those in developed countries) station health inspectors at airports. They'll come on board and check out the patient before they'll allow anyone to disembark - because they want to reserve the right to turn back the aircraft or qurantine everybody.
Maybe in China; I've been on planes with noticeable sick people and nothing like that ever happened.
Quote
Maybe in China; I've been on planes with noticeable sick people and nothing like that ever happened.
These things generally happen on international flights.
I'm pretty sure they don't "turn this plane right back around," Mono. AFAIK, if there's reason to suspect a contaminated flight, they'll quarantine it at the tarmac. Over longer international flight, there's generally time for distinguishable symptoms to present themselves, so they could make a halfway decent judgment call right then and there.
If I am sick and I am going to travel, I'll take some sleeping pills and fever reducers with me. A large dose of coffee (or whatever keeps you awake) 30 minutes before you step into the airport. Ground crew may refuse people from checking in if they suspect that you are sick. That's the first check. Immediately when I sit down on the plane, I'll take a sleeping pill. That significantly reduces the chance that I sleeze and cough on the plane. Just before landing, I'll take the fever reducer to fool the body temperature detectors at the airport.
Quote from: Monoriu on April 29, 2009, 10:03:45 PM
If I am sick and I am going to travel, I'll take some sleeping pills and fever reducers with me. A large dose of coffee (or whatever keeps you awake) 30 minutes before you step into the airport. Ground crew may refuse people from checking in if they suspect that you are sick. That's the first check. Immediately when I sit down on the plane, I'll take a sleeping pill. That significantly reduces the chance that I sleeze and cough on the plane. Just before landing, I'll take the fever reducer to fool the body temperature detectors at the airport.
If you're feverishly sick and are going to travel, I'd
hope the
first thing you do is check to make sure you're out of the contagious phase.
Quote from: Monoriu on April 29, 2009, 10:03:45 PM
If I am sick and I am going to travel, I'll take some sleeping pills and fever reducers with me. A large dose of coffee (or whatever keeps you awake) 30 minutes before you step into the airport. Ground crew may refuse people from checking in if they suspect that you are sick. That's the first check. Immediately when I sit down on the plane, I'll take a sleeping pill. That significantly reduces the chance that I sleeze and cough on the plane. Just before landing, I'll take the fever reducer to fool the body temperature detectors at the airport.
So you'd have no problems with the fact that you'd be infecting people?
Quote from: Weatherman on April 29, 2009, 10:19:35 PM
Quote from: Monoriu on April 29, 2009, 10:03:45 PM
If I am sick and I am going to travel, I'll take some sleeping pills and fever reducers with me. A large dose of coffee (or whatever keeps you awake) 30 minutes before you step into the airport. Ground crew may refuse people from checking in if they suspect that you are sick. That's the first check. Immediately when I sit down on the plane, I'll take a sleeping pill. That significantly reduces the chance that I sleeze and cough on the plane. Just before landing, I'll take the fever reducer to fool the body temperature detectors at the airport.
So you'd have no problems with the fact that you'd be infecting people?
Never trust a Chinaman.
I don't want to be qurantined just because I have normal flu. But that scenario seems increasingly likely, given the hysteria.
Quote from: Monoriu on April 29, 2009, 10:25:03 PM
I don't want to be qurantined just because I have normal flu. But that scenario seems increasingly likely, given the hysteria.
Then don't travel if you're sick even with the regular flu; sick people on airplanes make the flight miserable for everyone.
HK government just qurantined a girl, who flew in from Paris. She became ill on the plane, and we took her straight to the hospital dedicated to swine flu.
Could be our first case.
Get back to me when it's a full blown epidemic or these people who die start rising from the dead.
It has spread to Washington; 6 probable cases here so far.
Just heard on BBC that the European Commission is calling it "Novel Flu" or "Mexican Flu" in order to not depress pork sales. :lmfao:
Damn EC <_<
Quote from: Admiral Yi on April 29, 2009, 11:33:32 PM
Quote from: katmai on April 29, 2009, 11:32:16 PM
Damn EC <_<
Go back home you damn dirty novelist.
Hey just cause Lettow insists i'm Mexican, I'm 3rd generation born in this country thank you very much.
Quote from: katmai on April 29, 2009, 11:32:16 PM
Hey just cause Lettow insists i'm Mexican, I'm 3rd generation born in this country thank you very much.
So stop stealing siege's sunglasses already.
Its in Lowell now! And I have a sore throat!!!!!!!! Oh noes!
Quote from: Darth Wagtaros on April 30, 2009, 06:20:11 AM
Its in Lowell now! And I have a sore throat!!!!!!!! Oh noes!
Can I have your Mp3 player?
Its a 20 dollar Sandisk. I always assumed it would just melt one day.
I've seen kobolds with better loot.
Quote from: Admiral Yi on April 29, 2009, 11:30:34 PM
Just heard on BBC that the European Commission is calling it "Novel Flu" or "Mexican Flu" in order to not depress pork sales. :lmfao:
US administration uses "Human H1N1" as official name instead of Swine flu arguing that it's misleading to add references to pigs, and Israel has been using "Mexican flu" since the beginning as well, because the ultra-orthodox Health minister didn't want any reference to pigs on its name.
It's argued that calling it "Swine flu" makes people thing pigs are a vector of infection, which is not the case. Some countries are slaughtering their entire pig livestock for fear of infection, which is, pun intended, pig-headed.
Quote from: Ed Anger on April 30, 2009, 06:45:15 AM
I've seen kobolds with better loot.
Where? I need some more magical weapons.
Quote from: Darth Wagtaros on April 30, 2009, 07:05:07 AM
Quote from: Ed Anger on April 30, 2009, 06:45:15 AM
I've seen kobolds with better loot.
Where? I need some more magical weapons.
This is not a Monty Haul campaign. You will be grateful for 2 copper pieces and a ball of string. :mad:
Quote from: Ed Anger on April 30, 2009, 07:48:32 AM
Quote from: Darth Wagtaros on April 30, 2009, 07:05:07 AM
Quote from: Ed Anger on April 30, 2009, 06:45:15 AM
I've seen kobolds with better loot.
Where? I need some more magical weapons.
This is not a Monty Haul campaign. You will be grateful for 2 copper pieces and a ball of string. :mad:
That was about all we got last night. Dark dwarves and some fire bats. Cheap bastards. On the plus side I rolled a bunch of nat 20s. Isn't this so much more uplifting than reading about the latest hysterical health scare from Big Pharma and the Liberal Media?!
Quote from: Darth Wagtaros on April 30, 2009, 07:50:37 AM
Quote from: Ed Anger on April 30, 2009, 07:48:32 AM
Quote from: Darth Wagtaros on April 30, 2009, 07:05:07 AM
Quote from: Ed Anger on April 30, 2009, 06:45:15 AM
I've seen kobolds with better loot.
Where? I need some more magical weapons.
This is not a Monty Haul campaign. You will be grateful for 2 copper pieces and a ball of string. :mad:
That was about all we got last night. Dark dwarves and some fire bats. Cheap bastards. On the plus side I rolled a bunch of nat 20s. Isn't this so much more uplifting than reading about the latest hysterical health scare from Big Pharma and the Liberal Media?!
We need clerics of Tyr to heal the Beaners.
I think Tyr has been killed off in the terrible Forgotten Realms 4th Ed.
Quote from: Darth Wagtaros on April 30, 2009, 08:07:30 AM
I think Tyr has been killed off in the terrible Forgotten Realms 4th Ed.
<_< I bought the 4th ed player's handbook in anticipation of playing with my friends with that web based game service they was going to put out.
Months later, I got jack shit.
here, have a pile of rusty shortswords.
I assume this has been going on in Mexico for some time. That has to be scary stuff. WHO officials now raised the worldwide outbreak to a level 5, one level short of being a pandemic.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30487509/
Mexico to shut down government in flu fight
Decision comes as the World Health Organization warns of pandemic
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30398682/
WHO notches up swine flu pandemic alert
Global outbreak considered imminent; vaccine efforts will be ramped up
Quote from: Darth Wagtaros on April 30, 2009, 08:07:30 AM
I think Tyr has been killed off in the terrible Forgotten Realms 4th Ed.
I thought it was a very similar god. Helm.
Whatever. The Realms were crapped on in the new edition.
Quote from: Darth Wagtaros on April 30, 2009, 09:27:47 AM
Whatever. The Realms were crapped on in the new edition.
Indeed. It's exactly the same shit they did to BattleTech.
"We're tired of having a rich backstory. We want to jump on board the bandwagon du jour (WoW for 4e Realms, collectible miniatures for BattleTech), and we want to do all new things with the game world, but the backstory constrains us. Well, fuck it. Let's just blow up the universe and timejump a century."
Abominations.
Quote from: KRonn on April 30, 2009, 08:51:19 AM
I assume this has been going on in Mexico for some time. That has to be scary stuff. WHO officials now raised the worldwide outbreak to a level 5, one level short of being a pandemic.
In the meantime, Neil has raised the worldwide hysteria over something that's not really a big deal to level 10. If you take the 'dem' out of 'pandemic', you get what this really is. In fact, if you want to be really creative, you can kick the 'dem' out front, add a couple of letters and get a 'demos panic'.
Does anyone know the last time we had a threat level of 5? I heard some disease control type on the radio saying that the reason for the concern is that the Spanish Flu also started by being mild in the spring/summer but then as "flu season" arrived it turned very deadly.
They are concerned the same might happen with this given the fact that it is a new virius.
Quote from: crazy canuck on April 30, 2009, 11:03:20 AM
Does anyone know the last time we had a threat level of 5? I heard some disease control type on the radio saying that the reason for the concern is that the Spanish Flu also started by being mild in the spring/summer but then as "flu season" arrived it turned very deadly.
They are concerned the same might happen with this given the fact that it is a new virius.
I think that the "six stages" system developed by the WHO is relatively new and has not seen a pandemic since its development - I think this is the first time a phase 5 has occurred.
Quote from: Malthus on April 30, 2009, 11:13:53 AM
Quote from: crazy canuck on April 30, 2009, 11:03:20 AM
Does anyone know the last time we had a threat level of 5? I heard some disease control type on the radio saying that the reason for the concern is that the Spanish Flu also started by being mild in the spring/summer but then as "flu season" arrived it turned very deadly.
They are concerned the same might happen with this given the fact that it is a new virius.
I think that the "six stages" system developed by the WHO is relatively new and has not seen a pandemic since its development - I think this is the first time a phase 5 has occurred.
Level 5 hit with SARS in 2005, when cases showed up in Toronto, IIRC. Not that big of a deal.
A conversation with my Vice President:
"After evaluating the results of a study we just made up, Kenny and I determined we're not considered 'essential' personnel."
"Oh really?"
"Yes, sir."
"Well, you just have to remember that essential personnel are the first to be considered for the limited merit increases this year."
"We'll get fitted for our respirators immediately."
Quote from: CountDeMoney on May 01, 2009, 05:09:40 AM
Quote from: Malthus on April 30, 2009, 11:13:53 AM
Quote from: crazy canuck on April 30, 2009, 11:03:20 AM
Does anyone know the last time we had a threat level of 5? I heard some disease control type on the radio saying that the reason for the concern is that the Spanish Flu also started by being mild in the spring/summer but then as "flu season" arrived it turned very deadly.
They are concerned the same might happen with this given the fact that it is a new virius.
I think that the "six stages" system developed by the WHO is relatively new and has not seen a pandemic since its development - I think this is the first time a phase 5 has occurred.
Level 5 hit with SARS in 2005, when cases showed up in Toronto, IIRC. Not that big of a deal.
And even if we hit Level 6, it doesn't mean that millions of people will die. The virulence or lethality of the illness is irrelevant to the scale. Level 6 means that the illness has reached the point of a pandemic, whether it is lethal or not.
I have had the drizzling shits since Tuesday.
I for one, blame mexico.
WE'RE ALL GOING TO DIE!QuoteNo handshakes with diplomas at Oakland University graduation
By Megha Satyanarayana • Free Press staff writer • May 1, 2009
This year's graduating class at Oakland University will walk across the stage, but won't get a customary handshake from the university president. Banning handshakes, said spokesman Ted Montgomery, was at the recommendation of the Oakland County Health Division, in response to preventing the spread of H1N1 flu.
"They're the experts," he said. "We're going to follow the recommendation."
This flu virus has sickened 141 Americans, including two in Michigan, and has killed a toddler visiting Texas. It has spread to 11 countries, the World Health Organization announced today, including the United States and Mexico, where it has killed at least nine people.
The handshake is usually one of the final moments in graduation ceremonies all over the United States, and at OU it's also a photo opportunity. The Oakland County Health Division has recommended no hand contact for large events like graduations and proms.
For Nick Degel, a 25-year-old journalism major from Macomb Township who graduated from OU in December, he said it was kind of a reward.
"It's like, this is over, you did it," he said.
Tim Rath, a 22-year-old senior from Warren, said the handshake isn't as important as what it signifies.
"I'm disappointed that an institution of higher learning is buying into the media hype and taking away a landmark moment in my life," the journalism major said.
But OU isn't alone in this precaution.
"We are considering that option," said George Cartsonis, spokesman for Oakland Community College, where a graduation ceremony is scheduled for May 29. "But no decision has been made."
Spokespeople for other universities in the area, including Michigan State University, University of Michigan, Eastern Michigan University and Lawrence Technological University said officials will be shaking hands with their graduates.
We have our first confirmed case. A Mexican flew in via Shanghai. We have placed the hotel building that he stayed in under qurantine.
Quote from: Monoriu on May 01, 2009, 03:32:27 PM
We have our first confirmed case. A Mexican flew in via Shanghai. We have placed the hotel building that he stayed in under qurantine.
Will the case's family pay for the bullet?
lol, if the WHO raises the level to 6, our company will install a heat camera the entrance and will make us wear those masks.
Quote from: Tamas on May 01, 2009, 04:19:12 PM
lol, if the WHO raises the level to 6, our company will install a heat camera the entrance and will make us wear those masks.
What if they go to level 7?
Quote from: Neil on May 01, 2009, 04:50:49 PM
Quote from: Tamas on May 01, 2009, 04:19:12 PM
lol, if the WHO raises the level to 6, our company will install a heat camera the entrance and will make us wear those masks.
What if they go to level 7?
Gypsies start slaughtering the Hungarians.
Quote from: Tamas on May 01, 2009, 04:19:12 PM
lol, if the WHO raises the level to 6, our company will install a heat camera the entrance and will make us wear those masks.
Seriously? Why is Hungary panicking so much over it? To be honest, here in Poland it is pretty much ignored completely. There were two cases of travellers from Mexico being suspected of having it but it turned out they had common cold.
Anyway, the mortality rate of this flu seems to be around 3% AND that's of hospitalized cases only, so the overall mortality is probably lower, AND except 1 case, all fatalities happened in Mexico, so can be attributed to original lack of preparation and other problems with local health service.
All in all, what the fuck is the panic about?
I'm not sure there is a panic. The media here in Britland are stirring it up, but nobody I've talked to seems to care and the town is the same as usual :huh:
Maybe it is primarily a media event?
Quote from: Richard Hakluyt on May 01, 2009, 05:22:37 PM
I'm not sure there is a panic. The media here in Britland are stirring it up, but nobody I've talked to seems to care and the town is the same as usual :huh:
Maybe it is primarily a media event?
It seems like this in Poland too - I am just surprised by Tamas's and EdAnger's workplace idiocy.
Quote from: Martinus on May 01, 2009, 05:13:57 PM
Quote from: Tamas on May 01, 2009, 04:19:12 PM
lol, if the WHO raises the level to 6, our company will install a heat camera the entrance and will make us wear those masks.
Seriously? Why is Hungary panicking so much over it? To be honest, here in Poland it is pretty much ignored completely. There were two cases of travellers from Mexico being suspected of having it but it turned out they had common cold.
No one is panicking, as far as general population goes. I have no idea whats this bullshit is. Wait, I do: the latest craze you have to care about if you wanna look like A Guy Being In A Responsible Leadership Position
lol funniest little trivia regarding this: no confirmed case of swine flu in Hungary yet. Why dont we jump straight to gas masks and biosuits?
Titter ye not, Tamas :mad:
This swine flu could yet have serious effects on the salami industry, Hungary's biggest IIRC.
Well we make the best salamis, period. True enough.
My boss just got back from a trip to Mexico last week. He called in yesterday saying it was "coming out both ends". :ph34r:
Quote from: MadImmortalMan on May 01, 2009, 05:44:04 PM
My boss just got back from a trip to Mexico last week. He called in yesterday saying it was "coming out both ends". :ph34r:
You work with some crude individuals. :x
Quote from: Tamas on May 01, 2009, 05:24:53 PM
Quote from: Martinus on May 01, 2009, 05:13:57 PM
Quote from: Tamas on May 01, 2009, 04:19:12 PM
lol, if the WHO raises the level to 6, our company will install a heat camera the entrance and will make us wear those masks.
Seriously? Why is Hungary panicking so much over it? To be honest, here in Poland it is pretty much ignored completely. There were two cases of travellers from Mexico being suspected of having it but it turned out they had common cold.
No one is panicking, as far as general population goes. I have no idea whats this bullshit is. Wait, I do: the latest craze you have to care about if you wanna look like A Guy Being In A Responsible Leadership Position
It is a win-win position. We need to get on board this new paradigm shift.
SARS is gonna kills us all!
Quote from: Ed Anger on May 01, 2009, 05:54:36 PM
It is a win-win position. We need to get on board this new paradigm shift.
I demand the full-size version of your avatar.
Quote from: MadImmortalMan on May 01, 2009, 06:11:33 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on May 01, 2009, 05:54:36 PM
It is a win-win position. We need to get on board this new paradigm shift.
I demand the full-size version of your avatar.
Normally, I'd ignore "demands", but what the hell.
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg27.imageshack.us%2Fimg27%2F7757%2Fslaveprincessleiapillow.jpg&hash=3ec3aa2f5a6793fe8798e0b578e4ea647ada4640)
Quote from: Tamas on May 01, 2009, 05:24:53 PM
Wait, I do: the latest craze you have to care about if you wanna look like A Guy Being In A Responsible Leadership Position
This is exactly it.
Stratfor's take on the origin:
QuoteOn Monday we continued to monitor the spread and effects of swine flu, as the World Health Organization raised its pandemic alert level from 3 to 4 (6 is the level for a full-blown pandemic). Though many aspects of this flu outbreak have become clearer, several questions remain unanswered. First and foremost among these is: Why have deaths from this outbreak been limited to Mexico?
The country's death toll, which stood at 103 when Mexico and the rest of North America woke up Monday morning, had risen to about 149 deaths by the afternoon. In the United States, the number of confirmed swine flu cases rose to at least 40 —with one person hospitalized — and reports of isolated cases have popped up around the world, from New Zealand to Spain.
Mexico is a country with obvious infrastructure challenges, including access to health care and water in Mexico City (water supplies recently have been cut off for days at a time in many parts of the capital). However, the government has mounted a significant response to the outbreak and has substantial resources at its disposal. In other words, infrastructure alone is not a satisfactory explanation as to why so many people have died in Mexico in such a short time, while no deaths have been reported yet in other countries.
As the apparent location of first infection, Mexico was at a serious disadvantage in terms of information needed to combat the virus. The illness was first noted as early as February in Mexico, but at the time there was no reason to suspect that it was anything other than an isolated, severe case of the normal flu. Mexican health officials attributed an increase in respiratory infections in mid- to late March to seasonal weather changes.
It has become clear that most of the people who have been hospitalized in Mexico arrived at the hospital with pneumonia — a common complication of the flu that stems from a bacterial infection of the lungs. That these patients already were suffering from complications leads us to some very tentative conclusions.
First, those who arrived at the hospital with symptoms of pneumonia certainly do not qualify as cases of "early detection" in the swine flu outbreak. This makes it much more likely that the swine flu cases that are appearing in the Mexican health system will result in fatalities. Second, Mexico's method of testing has focused on patients who have been hospitalized; therefore, those testing positive for the new flu strain already are much more susceptible to severe and possibly fatal complications. Finally, because Mexico has had time to absorb the effects of the outbreak, there has been a great deal of back-checking on the records — including plans to exhume the bodies of suspected swine flu victims from February — which allows for post-hoc discovery of flu victims.
Medical sources have told STRATFOR that, unlike their counterparts in Mexico, officials in the United States have been testing patients who are still ambulatory (and they seem to be trending toward testing those with risk factors such as having traveled recently to Mexico). This means that the diagnosed swine flu patients are more likely to receive proper medical care and recover. It also means that the United States has not necessarily been in a position to identify cases of the new virus that already have caused people to be hospitalized; authorities instead might have assumed that swine flu cases were simply severe cases of the seasonal flu.
The distinction between the U.S. and Mexican testing methods means there is no way to clearly assess how many people have been infected, and it is impossible to gauge the rate of mortality associated with this new strain of flu with any certainty. In Mexico, there is a bias toward a higher morbidity rate, while the U.S. method is biased toward a much lower rate.
But numerous other factors exist that could account for the nil death rate in the United States (and elsewhere) as compared to Mexico thus far, ranging from the timing of the flu infections to demographic issues. For example, there simply might not have been enough time yet for the flu to take its full effect in the United States and elsewhere. Additionally, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the median age for infection in the United States is 16. Because younger people appear to be recovering from this disease more quickly than older people, the low median age for the United States could result in more rapid rates of apparent recovery.
Very little is known about the nature of this virus. Until the CDC has finished its analysis, there is no real way to know even whether it is a single illness that the world is dealing with, or whether the flu has mutated sufficiently to mitigate the effects for populations outside Mexico.
A distinct possibility remains that mortality rates could increase outside Mexico, or perhaps that the early warning from Mexico will be sufficient for the global medical community to mount an effective response. At present, however, the aggregate knowledge that passes as situational awareness on this topic is mercurial at best, and the medical community is making educated guesses. This issue is outside of STRATFOR's expertise, but we will continue to watch the situation as it evolves, including the outbreak's effects on global markets, which were shaky enough to begin with.
Quote from: Brazen on April 28, 2009, 08:15:34 AM
There were 69,000 deaths from TB in Europe in 2002, 46,000 in The Americas in the same period and 749 in the US in 2001. It's not just a developing world problem. It just doesn't have the glamour of the pandemic prefix or the association with an animal.
QuoteEpidemiologists are generally of the opinion that if we channelled all the money from pandemic panics into diseases that actually do kill vast swathes of people, the money would be much better spent. But the pressure is on governments from the public in wealthy nations to protect themselves rather than save poor people. 1.6 million people died from TB in 2005, for instance. That's 24 per 100,000 population.
First off, I think determining what diseases should have priority for research and funding based solely on deaths is wrong and ignores the numerous other impacts a disease can have, including but not limited to economic effects and long-term but latent health effects for those who are infected but "recover". Money spent to
actually mitigate or stop pandemics of diseases of low mortality rate is not wasted. I agree, however, challenging that "pandemic panic" is harmful and wastes money that could be spent elsewhere, in the same way any over-reaction would.
Second, talking deaths, per the CDC (http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/index.htm) 36,000 people die on average every year from "normal" flu-related complications, of 200,000 hospitalized. A pandemic breakout of a flu strain would add thousands more on top of that.
Does anyone here personally know someone who is terrified of this? It seems like the entirety of the craze is soely on the part of the media, governments, and buisness. I have yet to meet a single individual "on the street" who is taking this seriously or even remotely concerned.
Actually Judy, I've seen a number of idiots with surgical masks walking around campus. The city has 2 confirmed cases but I'm expecting the Death toll to skyrocket at any time.
Huh. What city is this out of curiosity? Somewhere close to the border I presume?
Quote from: Judas Iscariot on May 01, 2009, 08:39:21 PM
Huh. What city is this out of curiosity? Somewhere close to the border I presume?
Wags is in Massachusetts, IIRC; hardly "close to the border."
Yep. North-Central Mass.
Quote from: Judas Iscariot on May 01, 2009, 08:27:47 PM
Does anyone here personally know someone who is terrified of this? It seems like the entirety of the craze is soely on the part of the media, governments, and buisness. I have yet to meet a single individual "on the street" who is taking this seriously or even remotely concerned.
I hardly know anyone in HK who does not take this seriously. The SARS epidemic in 2003 killed almost 300 people within a few weeks, and sent the economy to the abyss. Nobody wants it to happen again.
Are you afraid of the virus or the economic impact? I mean 300 in a few weeks out of close to 7,000,000 people? That's a drop in the ocean. I honestly think without the media and governmental attention being paid to it, no one would give a fuck. It's only the way it inconveniences people and disrupts the natural course of everyday life that seems to be truly impacting people. Hell, more people die in random accidents than have been killed due to this. I guess I just don't get it. Wake me up when we have a repeat of the Spanish Infleunza Epidemic. That would be worth taking seriously, that would be worth the craze and panic that some people seem to want to create. This? This is a damned farce.
Quote from: Richard Hakluyt on May 01, 2009, 05:30:30 PM
Titter ye not, Tamas :mad:
This swine flu could yet have serious effects on the salami industry, Hungary's biggest IIRC.
I thought porn was their biggest industry.
Quote from: MadImmortalMan on May 01, 2009, 05:44:04 PM
My boss just got back from a trip to Mexico last week. He called in yesterday saying it was "coming out both ends". :ph34r:
Are you going to fire him?
I think a lot of the media scare comes from the misunderstanding of the word "pandemic". People seem to operate under a false assumption that this somehow relates to the virus' lethality. I mean, we have a pandemic of common cold each year, yet noone is freaking out.
Quote from: Neil on May 01, 2009, 04:50:49 PM
Quote from: Tamas on May 01, 2009, 04:19:12 PM
lol, if the WHO raises the level to 6, our company will install a heat camera the entrance and will make us wear those masks.
What if they go to level 7?
That's when the swine take over the world.
Quote from: Martinus on May 02, 2009, 03:36:13 AM
Quote from: MadImmortalMan on May 01, 2009, 05:44:04 PM
My boss just got back from a trip to Mexico last week. He called in yesterday saying it was "coming out both ends". :ph34r:
Are you going to fire him?
He should totally get Hans to arrange it. He's good at that.
Quote from: Judas Iscariot on May 01, 2009, 08:27:47 PM
Does anyone here personally know someone who is terrified of this? It seems like the entirety of the craze is soely on the part of the media, governments, and buisness. I have yet to meet a single individual "on the street" who is taking this seriously or even remotely concerned.
The hospital, and in particular the epidemiologists and emergency medicine personnel, have fucking hard-ons for this thing. This is their Super Bowl.
Quote from: CountDeMoney on May 02, 2009, 11:58:19 AM
The hospital, and in particular the epidemiologists and emergency medicine personnel, have fucking hard-ons for this thing. This is their Super Bowl.
So it's his fault? What a dick.
I'll be going to DC this week, how many people with surgical masks will I find?
Quote from: lustindarkness on May 02, 2009, 12:29:46 PM
I'll be going to DC this week, how many people with surgical masks will I find?
None, probably.
Quote from: CountDeMoney on May 02, 2009, 12:38:56 PM
Quote from: lustindarkness on May 02, 2009, 12:29:46 PM
I'll be going to DC this week, how many people with surgical masks will I find?
None, probably.
:( Not even tourists?
Quote from: Judas Iscariot on May 02, 2009, 12:07:55 AM
Are you afraid of the virus or the economic impact? I mean 300 in a few weeks out of close to 7,000,000 people? That's a drop in the ocean. I honestly think without the media and governmental attention being paid to it, no one would give a fuck. It's only the way it inconveniences people and disrupts the natural course of everyday life that seems to be truly impacting people. Hell, more people die in random accidents than have been killed due to this. I guess I just don't get it. Wake me up when we have a repeat of the Spanish Infleunza Epidemic. That would be worth taking seriously, that would be worth the craze and panic that some people seem to want to create. This? This is a damned farce.
In 2003, about 1,800 people in HK were infected with SARS, so the fatality rate is close to 20%. What's scary about SARS is that there is no cure. In fact there is nothing the doctors can do for you if you are infected. Only thing they can do is to place you in quarantine so that you do not infect others.
Quote from: Judas Iscariot on May 02, 2009, 12:07:55 AM
Are you afraid of the virus or the economic impact? I mean 300 in a few weeks out of close to 7,000,000 people? That's a drop in the ocean. I honestly think without the media and governmental attention being paid to it, no one would give a fuck. It's only the way it inconveniences people and disrupts the natural course of everyday life that seems to be truly impacting people. Hell, more people die in random accidents than have been killed due to this. I guess I just don't get it. Wake me up when we have a repeat of the Spanish Infleunza Epidemic. That would be worth taking seriously, that would be worth the craze and panic that some people seem to want to create. This? This is a damned farce.
As far as I know, the Spanish Flu was also pretty mild at the start. It was during the second wave that it started killing people left and right.
The real scary thing about this thing is its potential: it is now spreading from humans to humans and hardly anyone has any immunity, so it's just a question of waiting for a vaccine and praying it doesn't mutate into something more lethal.
Its the later waves that are the real killers. We'll see how everyone is in Winter, and then realize this was absolutely nothing to be upset about and wait for the next pandemic to freak.
My Detroit meeting was canceled. Detroit, the Mexico of the North.
THANK YOU SWINE FLU HYSTERIA!
Quote from: Ed Anger on May 03, 2009, 09:37:57 AM
My Detroit meeting was canceled. Detroit, the Mexico of the North.
THANK YOU SWINE FLU HYSTERIA!
Sue Kwame.
Quote from: PDH on May 03, 2009, 09:39:32 AM
Quote from: Ed Anger on May 03, 2009, 09:37:57 AM
My Detroit meeting was canceled. Detroit, the Mexico of the North.
THANK YOU SWINE FLU HYSTERIA!
Sue Kwame.
I'd get him a fruit basket.
You are right!
Thanks for the replies Iorm and Mono, makes more sense now. :)
:lol:
I love the Russians.
For some reason I'm watching Russia Today news- its interviewing some expert who claims its a big conspiracy against the pork industry just as how bird flu and mad cow disease were nothing but attempts by their opponents to damage the chicken and beef industries.
Quote from: Iormlund on May 02, 2009, 04:33:35 PM
As far as I know, the Spanish Flu was also pretty mild at the start. It was during the second wave that it started killing people left and right.
The real scary thing about this thing is its potential: it is now spreading from humans to humans and hardly anyone has any immunity, so it's just a question of waiting for a vaccine and praying it doesn't mutate into something more lethal.
But it didn't happen in 1976. It fizzled out. It MIGHT happen, but that doesn't mean it WILL happen. People didn't have vaccines and Tamiflu in 1918, and even they finally ended up discovering that injecting plasma from survivor donors did help decrease the mortality rate.
Speaking of mortality rate of the Spanish flu, people vastly overestimate its mortality rate. The Spaniflu wasn't the Black Plague. It killed around 2,5-5% of people infected, with estimations that 0,5%-1% of the population worldwide died. However, close to 50% of the population was infected, and it did kill adults in good general health as well as kids, oldies, the walking wounded, and the sick.
Quote from: Drakken on May 04, 2009, 10:07:54 AM
Quote from: Iormlund on May 02, 2009, 04:33:35 PM
As far as I know, the Spanish Flu was also pretty mild at the start. It was during the second wave that it started killing people left and right.
The real scary thing about this thing is its potential: it is now spreading from humans to humans and hardly anyone has any immunity, so it's just a question of waiting for a vaccine and praying it doesn't mutate into something more lethal.
But it didn't happen in 1976. It fizzled out. It MIGHT happen, but that doesn't mean it WILL happen. People didn't have vaccines and Tamiflu in 1918, and even they finally ended up discovering that injecting plasma from survivor donors did help decrease the mortality rate.
Speaking of mortality rate of the Spanish flu, people vastly overestimate its mortality rate. The Spaniflu wasn't the Black Plague. It killed around 2,5-5% of people infected, with estimations that 0,5%-1% of the population worldwide died. However, close to 50% of the population was infected, and it did kill adults in good general health as well as kids, oldies, the walking wounded, and the sick.
That still results in a horrific level of mortality, though obviously nothing like the Black Death. The real problem with an actual flu pandemic isn't that a large portion of the population will die (in the 1st world this is unlikely) but rather the huge social disruption it will cause. Our society will not work so well with half the people sick and the other half taking care of them, even if no-one dies.
So check this out. My sister and her boyfriend were in Dallas last week. Saw Fleetwood Mac, went to Six Flags, shopped at the Galleria, all the things we Arkies do when we go to a civilized place. Today, he comes down with the flu. They're running tests now to see if it's the swine flu. :o
Jaron, Martinus, Tamas, you guys didn't place a bet on me being the first to go to the doctor for swine flu, did you? :P