Swine Flu Pandemic

[Kristi Williamson]

A23 month old in Texas is reported as having died frfom the SF..

 

My heart breaks for that family..

 

And yes.. my 2YO has been known the lick the shopping cart too.. Ugh.

 

They also have everal suspected cases in CT now.. so my 12YO could just as easily catch it at school...and bring it home. What a horrible connundrum!

 

One week until sailing..

 

My heart breaks for the family of this toddler, as well. I have four children and I simply cannot imagine life without all of them.

 

However, the child was not an American. He had just arrived from MEXICO with his family. They came through Brownsville and then the child was taken to Houston, where he later died. Again, this child was from and lived in Mexico. He was not an American, he did die here, though.

 

I read this morning that the government may close all American schools for the remainder of the week and most of next week, just to be safe.

[sasset]

News reports say that the child arrived in Texas on April 4. They are not saying when the child got sick.

[WineDown17]

I read he was asymptomatic when he arrived.. was sick for "few days" and then they brought him to a hospital. They also said he had an underlying medical condition, which they did not disclose as of yet.

 

DS, who is 2 has asthma.. so that is my worry- I personally have no fears for myself.

 

Spoke with his asthma specialist today, who presecribed some extra meds to bring just in case (steroids.. not anti virals) and who had no qualms about us taking the trip with him.

 

What is getting very interesting are the alleged links to the pig CAFO near where patient zero lived.

 

The more I read about these mass animal farms, the scarier it gets. I am betting anything that will be found as the source of the outbreak, if there isnt a cover up. (And I am NOT a conspiracy theorist!!!) There is a great book I read recently called "The Omnivore's Dilemma" that outlined the industry... and it would not shock me if the poorly regulated environment at that farm there was the source.

 

Viva the local farmers!!

[meow!]

What are the chances I will get swine flu if I continue to cruise?.

I don't know. But if you do, please don't spread it to the people around you.

[Spygirl13]

Kim and Donia-

Thanks!! And I know you werent being flippant!!

 

I guess it is wise for me to remember that 36K die of the "regular" flu each year... so statistically speaking, more to worry about with it than this strain so far. (And less than 800 died from SARS). I could get hit by a car today.. right!? :)

 

We really are looking forward to this trip..Hopefully X will be able to procure Tamiflu/Relenza for its clinic just in case folks need it on any of their ships... and, hopefully they will continue to be good about having hand sanitizers available and will remind all pax and staff to be extra vigilant. Maybe all of these good habits will make it a healthier cruise!!

 

Kim- Have a great trip in June!!

 

Donia- I agree.. e Coli stew. YUCK.

WineDown17 you can't back out on us now! We are so looking forward to our cruise and to meeting you as well! :D

Look at it this way, the flu is here in the USA too!

We are counting down the days....:D:D:D

[WineDown17]

WineDown17 you can't back out on us now! We are so looking forward to our cruise and to meeting you as well! :D

Look at it this way, the flu is here in the USA too!

We are counting down the days....:D:D:D

 

We are not backing out- Bringing enough Purell and Lysol wipes for everyone!!

 

Now that DS pediatrician gave us a BRIGHT green light, no fears, and full steam ahead!!

 

Looking forward to meeting you all as well!!

 

Cant believe it is almost here!!

[seaworthy1]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

I know this could become a very serious problem(panademic sp?) but just because the media have jumped on this, is no reason to duct tape your windows and doors, and stop traveling. With todays instant "news" , every day has to be bigger, more scary, more dire, more schocking than the day before. They have to beat the other guy, ( What sells?) I"ll tell you what sells, Panic. keep the public in a state of panic, and they'll stay tuned, that is what sells soap. I've got a batch of Lemononcello in the freezer, think I'll go have a sip, and then tune in to Soupy Sales on the tv.

[Milhouse]

We've got an Alaskan cruise scheduled in May and a Caribbean cruise in Dec. We're not looking to cancel yet but we're not taking this flu situation lightly.

 

While I realize that a lot of the cases have generally been mild so far, I still don't want to catch it since it'd likely ruin the cruise for us and we'd likely be confined to our cabin for the duration of the trip. Worst case scenario on the other hand of course is if it mutates to a more lethal version which I suppose is a big if. I suppose part of my paranoia is due to a lack of understanding of how our medical system would be able to handle and treat a more serious situation.

 

My concern with the cruise is that you're stuck with 2000-3000 people in relatively close quarters be it dining, public areas, etc. On a daily basis, I don't think I cross paths with 50 people (less if I remote in and work from home).

 

We're going to try to keep our handwashing regular and supplement with Purell (like we usually do) but it's not like that's going to help a lot if someone suddenly goes into a hacking and sneezing fit beside you.

[Valen9]

We're going to try to keep our handwashing regular and supplement with Purell (like we usually do) but it's not like that's going to help a lot if someone suddenly goes into a hacking and sneezing fit beside you.

 

Actually, it might. According to the CDC, this flu spreads via droplet. So if you prevent yourself from breathing the droplets (because the coughing person correctly covered their mouth) and wash your hands regularly so you don't get droplets near your mucus membranes, you should be ok.

 

The real reason this flu is of such concern is because it first jumped species, and then managed to get transmitted human-to-human. Other than that, it's not all that much more deadly than the yearly flu that goes around. Actually, I'm hoping that this whole exercise will be a good test of the world-wide pandemic management infrastructure, rather than having it tested with a much more deadly and easily transmitted disease.

 

And yes, I care. My parents leave in the morning for a resort in Mexico.

[WineDown17]

We ALL need to care (but not panic).

 

I have read that the simple things they keep talking about- hand washing, and staying home when sick- has the potential to cut the spread by up to 2/3rds.

 

I spoke with 3 MDs yesterday who also said the same thing....

 

It seems like we are all keeping it in the proper persepctive... so as long as this thing does not mutate for the worst (which they usually dont.. as the deadlier the virus becomes, the fewer people it gets the opportunity to infect) hopefully this will be equal to or less than the normal flu. Just new.

 

And.. the flu dissipates quickly come spring in the northern hemispere.. Good for those of us up here.. and hopefully they will have a vacine for the southern hemisphere before their fly season really heats up.

[meow!]

And.. the flu dissipates quickly come spring in the northern hemispere.. Good for those of us up here.. and hopefully they will have a vacine for the southern hemisphere before their fly season really heats up.

But we are already six weeks into Spring, and this swine flu is starting, not finishing. Besides at its epicentre, Mexico, it is close to the equator and all year is Summer!