Pandemic (Swine) Flu

[Stuart]

Originally Posted by chaos23

You dont have to panic, but dont play things down when we can clearly see there is a serious and possibly, catastrophic problem ahead. People should be asking their government what they are doing to prevent this reaching the UK? Why are they not stopping flights to and from Mexico?

As I understand it, the only people who have died so far have been in Mexico. There are several possible cases outside mexico (including Scotland), but no one has died. There is also (according to Channel 4 news) some evidence to suggest that this flu strain is not as dangerous as the one in 1918.

I am not saying there isn't a possible Flu pandemic, but do I believe it is any more serious than, say, AIDS (which despite being seemingly ignored by the media is still a very dangerous disease)? No, I do not.

[keith]

Let's all calm down and have a nice cup of tea and then everything will be alright!

[chaos23]

Originally Posted by Damien

Optimism allows us to continue our lives without living in constant fear that we are about to be stuck by tragedy. No one is saying we should be unaware of this virus but panicking will help no one and probably led to more problems.

There is a virus, it appears to be a lot milder the further to gets from Mexico. So let's presume it's probably going to be ok.

Sorry to be such a pessimist but we are way overdue for a pandemic its a fact that one will occur very soon. I dont want it to happen, but there are things we can do rather than relying on this corrupt government.

[Sir John Luke]

Such as?

Originally Posted by Damien

Optimism allows us to continue our lives without living in constant fear that we are about to be stuck by tragedy. No one is saying we should be unaware of this virus but panicking will help no one and probably led to more problems.

There is a virus, it appears to be a lot milder the further to gets from Mexico. So let's presume it's probably going to be ok.

Presumption is the mother of all notallowedword ups

[chaos23]

Originally Posted by Stuart C

As I understand it, the only people who have died so far have been in Mexico. There are several possible cases outside mexico (including Scotland), but no one has died. There is also (according to Channel 4 news) some evidence to suggest that this flu strain is not as dangerous as the one in 1918.

I am not saying there isn't a possible Flu pandemic, but do I believe it is any more serious than, say, AIDS (which despite being seemingly ignored by the media is still a very dangerous disease)? No, I do not.

Sorry but AIDS is not airbourne. Swine flu clearly is. I agree AIDS is dangerous but you can protect yourself against it. How can you protect yourself and your family from a airbourne virus?

---------- Post added at 18:56 ---------- Previous post was at 18:54 ----------

Originally Posted by Sir John Luke

Such as?

Stock up on food, bottled water, medication. If there is a outbreak in the UK then the best you can do is stay at home.

Before this occurs though everyone should be questioning their government on what plans they have to keep this virus out of the UK. Again i ask why are flights still being allowed in and out of Mexico and then onto the UK? If you want this thing to spread thats the best way to go about it.

[Stuart]

Originally Posted by chaos23

Sorry but AIDS is not airbourne. Swine flu clearly is. I agree AIDS is dangerous but you can protect yourself. How can you protect yourself and your family from a airbourne virus?

You can protect yourself against AIDS. The media making a fuss about it could help that (reminding people to use condoms etc), but they don't.

---------- Post added at 19:01 ---------- Previous post was at 18:58 ----------

Originally Posted by chaos23

Stock up on food, bottled water, medication. If there is a outbreak in the UK then the best you can do is stay at home.

Before this occurs though everyone should be questioning their government on what plans they have to keep this virus out of the UK. Again i ask why are flights still being allowed in and out of Mexico and then onto the UK? If you want this thing to spread thats the best way to go about it.

I do agree about the flights, but it sounds like you are advocating panic buying. Which doesn't actually help us at all.

[iFrankie]

crazy stuff! hopefully they find a cure

[joglynne]

Originally Posted by chaos23

Sorry but AIDS is not airbourne. Swine flu clearly is. I agree AIDS is dangerous but you can protect yourself against it. How can you protect yourself and your family from a airbourne virus?

---------- Post added at 18:56 ---------- Previous post was at 18:54 ----------



Stock up on food, bottled water, medication. If there is a outbreak in the UK then the best you can do is stay at home.

Before this occurs though everyone should be questioning their government on what plans they have to keep this virus out of the UK. Again i ask why are flights still being allowed in and out of Mexico and then onto the UK? If you want this thing to spread thats the best way to go about it.

Unfortunately we live in a world where movement between countries is easy. Stopping movement between the UK and Mexico would not halt the spread of this disease as it has already made its way to other countries. For example , Mexico is a favorite destination for USA students and many have been there for the recent Spring break. There have already been confirmed cases in New York which can possibly be linked to students that have been holidaying in Cancun. Do you suggest we stop flights to and from the USA as well?

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/...LVHrAD97Q85O00

And New Zealand, and Scotland.

Oh, and France, Israel, and Spain.

[idi banashapan]

Originally Posted by Stuart C

So, what do you suggest we do? Panic? If we did that, we would only make the possible outcome of this flu worse.

on the contrary, if people were more worried about getting the flu, they are likely to take more precausions to prevent themself catching it in the first place, thus decreasing the chances of it spreading...

---------- Post added at 19:26 ---------- Previous post was at 19:22 ----------

Originally Posted by chaos23

Stock up on food, bottled water, medication. If there is a outbreak in the UK then the best you can do is stay at home.

I have to say that the missus (a nurse) has already mentioned doing this should we begin to get confirmed diagnosis of this flu in the UK. It may well be an idea to keep this in mind. panic buying now is totally un-necessary, but be ready to get a few bits and bobs should the worst happen.

Also, expect a film with an epidemic theme to come out of Hollywood sometime in the next couple of years!!!

[chaos23]

Originally Posted by joglynne

Unfortunately we live in a world where movement between countries is easy. Stopping movement between the UK and Mexico would not halt the spread of this disease as it has already made its way to other countries. For example , Mexico is a favorite destination for USA students and many have been there for the recent Spring break. There have already been confirmed cases in New York which can possibly be linked to students that have been holidaying in Cancun. Do you suggest we stop flights to and from the USA as well?

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/...LVHrAD97Q85O00

We may as well stop all flights around the world. Lets face it the world economy is F***** already so i cant see it doing any harm.

---------- Post added at 19:32 ---------- Previous post was at 19:28 ----------

The World Health Organisation have just said that this Swine Flu strain could become more dangerous.

It's quite possible for this virus to evolve... when viruses evolve, clearly they can become more dangerous to people," said Keiji Fukuda, of the global health watchdog.

Mr Fukuda also called for international vigilance as health experts wait to see whether the virus will turn into a worldwide pandemic.

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Wor..._United_States

---------- Post added at 19:34 ---------- Previous post was at 19:32 ----------

6 confirmed cases in Canada now.

[joglynne]

I always wanted a reason to brick up the Channel Tunnel maybe this will be it.

[idi banashapan]

Originally Posted by chaos23

The World Health Organisation have just said that this Swine Flu strain could become more dangerous.

[B]It's quite possible for this virus to evolve... when viruses evolve, clearly they can become more dangerous to people," said Keiji Fukuda, of the global health watchdog.

I already mentioned that it can change strain quite easily in post 6

The good news is that most of the cases outside Mexico are mild, most not even requiring admission into hospital.