Swine Flu

[PiKA2001]

I caught it Thursday, but i feel fine now. Anybody else think it might be hyped up? Watching the news they make it sound like it can potentially be the end of humanity.

[Kevin]

It's sweeps.

[kstar]

It does have the potential to be as deadly a pandemic as the 1918 flu.

The hemagglutinin gene of this virus is completely novel, and since that is the antigenic site that the human immune system responds to, there has not been any immunity built to it. This particular genetic combination of swine influenza virus segments has not been recognized previously among swine or human isolates. It contains gene segments from North American swine, bird and human flue strains as well as one gene segment from Eurasian swine.

Also, is the fact that this virus is causing deaths not among the elderly and young, who are the typical victims of the flu, but causes deaths among the young and healthy by inciting a "cytokine storm."

However, here in America we both can afford and have a stockpile of Tamiflu and Relenza, which will probably be effective.

[aephi alum]

http://imgur.com/27K39.jpg

[AGDee]

I think it's hyped. They do know that two of the four antivirals available do work against it so those who can afford health care and are generally healthy to begin with have nothing to really worry about. On the other hand, my kids are getting a little freaked out because 4 seniors from the neighboring high school are being tested. One has the flu now so they are testing for swine because they were all in Mexico over spring break (April 10-17).

Working in health care, the system has sent out their protocols to all staff via email including the pandemic protocols. They have stockpiled the needed meds. I think the media is overhyping, but I guess I've decided that if it makes people take more precautions against spreading illnesses, it's ok that they are hyping it too much.It reminds me of the SARS scare from a few years ago.

[knight_shadow]

FWISD closed (http://www.star-telegram.com/804/story/1347939.html) until at least May 8th, thanks to this swine flu.

LaneSig -- has your district been affected by this? I have a feeling the rest of the districts will follow suit.

[AKA_Monet]

Yes... Most definitely hyped... And as sick and twisted as I am, I think some of this is fabricated :eek:

Feel bad for the sufferers though. That to me is NOT a joke.

[PhiGam]

7 people have died (according to the World Health Organization.) This is eerily similar to the SARS scare of a few years back.

[PeppyGPhiB]

Admittedly I am a little nervous to be flying in to JFK on Friday and spending the weekend in NY/NJ. My bf wants me to wear a mask on the plane and take a bunch of Theraflu with me.

[carnation]

When I was at the University of Hawaii over 30 years ago, there was a swine flu scare on the mainland and the UH students were all pressured to get the shot. I did. I wonder if any tiny little bit of the immunity is still hanging in there.

[kstar]

When I was at the University of Hawaii over 30 years ago, there was a swine flu scare on the mainland and the UH students were all pressured to get the shot. I did. I wonder if any tiny little bit of the immunity is still hanging in there.

Probably not considering the hemagglutinin (the part of the virus that the immune system recognizes and responds to) of this flu virus is completely novel.

[WCsweet<3]

I feel as though there is very little difference between this and the normal influenza that we are use to. I realize that this strain reacts differently with our immune system, but with the weather warming up, won't the virus die? I thought virus' couldn't last long in warmer weather which is why we have the flu in the winter.

I'm a little tired of hearing about it as it seems to just be the same information and everyone is panic-ing. As CNN has pointed out quite a bit recently, 13,000 (I believe that is the correct number) people died in january from the flu.

[PM_Mama00]

I caught it Thursday, but i feel fine now. Anybody else think it might be hyped up? Watching the news they make it sound like it can potentially be the end of humanity.

How did you know you had it? What were your symptoms?

I think it's hyped. They do know that two of the four antivirals available do work against it so those who can afford health care and are generally healthy to begin with have nothing to really worry about. On the other hand, my kids are getting a little freaked out because 4 seniors from the neighboring high school are being tested. One has the flu now so they are testing for swine because they were all in Mexico over spring break (April 10-17).

Working in health care, the system has sent out their protocols to all staff via email including the pandemic protocols. They have stockpiled the needed meds. I think the media is overhyping, but I guess I've decided that if it makes people take more precautions against spreading illnesses, it's ok that they are hyping it too much.It reminds me of the SARS scare from a few years ago.

Dee they're making all the kids who went to Mexico for spring break stay home and sent most of them home from school today. The Woodhaven kid will have his results on Tuesday. Let's hope it's not spreading Downriver!

[KSUViolet06]

There has been a case reported in Ohio, but I don't think our local public schools are taking the actions that other schools across the country are taking.

They've sent home bulletins about symptoms and preventative measures, but schools will probably remain open unless a case is reported
in the actual school system.

I think the fear of it is affecting people here though, I have friends who are getting married next month who have cancelled their honeymoon in Acapulco in favor of Myrtle Beach because they are afraid of coming in contact with it.

[BetteDavisEyes]

There are reported cases in both the city I live in and the city I work in. :eek:

Still, I think people are panicking way too easily right now.

[Tippiechick]

We have a case here in TN. WI, MN, NC, SC, Nebraska, IL, MO, and Maine are all pending confirmations.

[Jen]

Viruses don't die in the summer. Influenza is a year-round problem.

My local news was saying they are predicting this is the first wave of infections, then it will drop off a bit in the summer, then in the fall a second wave with much more widespread infection, and then late winter/early spring next year another wave of it.

[rufio]

Dee they're making all the kids who went to Mexico for spring break stay home and sent most of them home from school today.

haha well its a good thing i went to vegas for spring break. oh crap. my roommate went to mexico, and he's looking a little fluish. god help me. :eek:

[LaneSig]

FWISD closed (http://www.star-telegram.com/804/story/1347939.html) until at least May 8th, thanks to this swine flu.

LaneSig -- has your district been affected by this? I have a feeling the rest of the districts will follow suit.

No, my district (Plano, on the northeast side of Dallas) is still in session. The general attitude here is that the administration wouldn't shut us down this week due to TAKS (that's the state testing for you non-Texans).

Richardson school district has closed one elementary school for the week and the Clebourne school district announced it was closing before Fort Worth did.

The state hs athletic association has asked for all athletic events to be cancelled for the near future. I am actually surprised that none of the districts along the border have closed as a precaution. Teachers are wondering if Gov. Goodhair might shut down all school districts in the state for a couple of days.

[AGDee]

Dee they're making all the kids who went to Mexico for spring break stay home and sent most of them home from school today. The Woodhaven kid will have his results on Tuesday. Let's hope it's not spreading Downriver!

Actually, they closed Woodhaven-Brownstown District today and tomorrow. They expect the results from the one child's test either today or tomorrow and they are disinfecting the school thoroughly in the interim. My kids are in Gibraltar district though, where their only problem is a 7th grader with a hit list and a pistol obsession. He won't be coming back to my son's middle school, per the letter that came home yesterday. That's more scary than the flu if you ask me.

[DaemonSeid]

Actually, they closed Woodhaven-Brownstown District today and tomorrow. They expect the results from the one child's test either today or tomorrow and they are disinfecting the school thoroughly in the interim. My kids are in Gibraltar district though, where their only problem is a 7th grader with a hit list and a pistol obsession. He won't be coming back to my son's middle school, per the letter that came home yesterday. That's more scary than the flu if you ask me.


You guys may or may not hear about it but The World Bank building here in downtown DC just shut down because it was discovered that one of the workers just returned from Mexico and is sick.

ETA: Scratch that..here it is. (http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2009151144_apusswinefluworldbank.html)

[srmom]

Teachers are wondering if Gov. Goodhair might shut down all school districts in the state for a couple of days.


Gosh, I hope not! My son already missed 2 weeks in the fall because of Ike, and that led them to do away with fall finals. If they close this spring, finals and AP tests will be an issue. What a pain!

Here in Houston, Episcopal hs is closed because a girl who never went to Mexico or came in contact with anyone who had (that they know of) is confirmed with N1H1. 2 schools in HISD are closed, but the rest of the district, as well as all the other districts are still open for business.

[Still BLUTANG]

there's a "real time" google map (http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&t=p&msa=0&msid=106484775090296685271.0004681a37b713f6b5950&source=embed&ll=-31.353637,12.65625&spn=166.089604,360&z=1) available of confirmed and potential cases.

[honeychile]

A bunch of students who spent the last term student teaching in Mexico aren't permitted to go to Slippery Rock's graduation. Shockingly, they're not whining about it!

And there's a case in Philly. I hope like anything that it doesn't hit over in Western PA, with my horrible immune system. :(

[aephi alum]

Gosh, I hope not! My son already missed 2 weeks in the fall because of Ike, and that led them to do away with fall finals. If they close this spring, finals and AP tests will be an issue. What a pain!

That's right -- AP test season is coming up. What are they going to do? They'll either have to reschedule AP tests for the whole country, or create two tests, one to administer at the normal time and one to administer at some future date for people in affected areas. What a PITA for everyone involved, including the teachers and professors who gather to grade the AP tests. It's that, or tell the students in affected areas that they're SOL and can't take their AP tests.

[ForeverRoses]

Viruses don't die in the summer. Influenza is a year-round problem.

My local news was saying they are predicting this is the first wave of infections, then it will drop off a bit in the summer, then in the fall a second wave with much more widespread infection, and then late winter/early spring next year another wave of it.

That's how the 1918 flu went. The first wave wasn't as deadly as the second wave that came back in the fall.

Which makes me think that maybe it would be better to get the swine flu now than to wait for it to become more deadly this fall?

I have a great-uncle who died of the flu in 1918. My grandma used to tell stories of how they didn't even have much of a funeral for him becuase eveyone was so scared.

[srmom]

That's right -- AP test season is coming up. What are they going to do? They'll either have to reschedule AP tests for the whole country, or create two tests, one to administer at the normal time and one to administer at some future date for people in affected areas. What a PITA for everyone involved, including the teachers and professors who gather to grade the AP tests. It's that, or tell the students in affected areas that they're SOL and can't take their AP tests.


Yes, they start next Monday, May 4th and end Friday, May 15th. So, the kids in Fort Worth and San Antonio are already screwed if they don't go back until the 11th. I don't know what they'll do, but it hardly seems fair to tell those kids, "Too bad, you can't take the test." Besides the fact that they've been taking the hard class all year to prepare, most are hoping for credit which equates to time and money!!!

That's how the 1918 flu went. The first wave wasn't as deadly as the second wave that came back in the fall.

Which makes me think that maybe it would be better to get the swine flu now than to wait for it to become more deadly this fall?


I am hoping that by the fall, they will have vaccines for this strain developed!!

[KSigkid]

That's right -- AP test season is coming up. What are they going to do? They'll either have to reschedule AP tests for the whole country, or create two tests, one to administer at the normal time and one to administer at some future date for people in affected areas. What a PITA for everyone involved, including the teachers and professors who gather to grade the AP tests. It's that, or tell the students in affected areas that they're SOL and can't take their AP tests.

I assume they have some built-in mechanism for that issue. If I remember correctly, there was at least one case in high school when one of my classmates couldn't take a couple of the AP exams (I think it was the death of an immediate family member), and they worked out a seperate time for him to take them.

[Beryana]

We have an unconfirmed case here in my town in central WI - the guy was visiting San Diego. But according to the news today, the man was doing well after being quarantined in his own home. And because of this, I talked to a woman that was truly scared. Personally, I think it is all a hype right now. Influenza causes more deaths every year than this alleged 'pandemic'. People are panicking, rushing to get the flu vaccine (which will do NOTHING with this strain), etc. If I get sick with something (which I haven't gotten much more than a VERY slight cold in the past 5 or 6 years - even after spending the weekend with someone that had an actual case of influenza), so be it. No need to run around like Chicken Little - take basic precautions as with any illness but no need to blow it out of proportion!

[knight_shadow]

Tarrant County (Fort Worth) Health Department: In the interest of public health and safety, has declared all outdoor public gatherings must be cancelled.

:rolleyes:

[Thetagirl218]

About 70+ cases have been sent to the Florida Department of Health lab for testings. There are several possible cases in Tampa Bay and Orlando. I am actually surprised Florida was one of the first to have cases considering all the tourism.

I had to recommend sending one of my students home yesterday, she looked as pale as death....turns out she has to stay in bed until Monday.

Being a teacher, I see a lot of people get sick, kids and faculty. We have a lot out this week to a stomach virus (me included), but it has nothing to do with the swine flu. There are some people who just over react.

[epchick]

Ahhh everyone I know has been talking about this and how they are so freaked out.

I just look at them like :eek: then you should be freaked out about the regular flu too cause it's just as "deadly" as the swine flu. There is medicine that does cover the swine flu, it's not like its this virus that can't be controlled. Grrrrr

[texas*princess]

I'm on the fence about it. I think that it's partly overhyped by the media - On a radio morning show, the main guy was FREAKING OUT about how for every confirmed case there are 10 others that haven't been made 'official' yet because they wait 3 days after getting the results. And how they are running out of Tamiflu, etc. That makes it sound like scary shizz.

On the other hand though, there are other news outlets that are just being reasonable about it - telling ppl to take precautions - wash your hands, don't pick your nose, sneeze into a tissue or your sleeve, etc.

I'm definitely washing my hands way more often than I normally do... just in case. I'm flying home tomorrow and do plan to wear a mask - not to be super paranoid, but being in a tiny space like that for over an hour with 100 other people can be scary when something like this is happening. I don't plan to rock out that mask every where I go though.... just the airplane :)

I have a friend with family in El Paso -- she said that there are hordes of ppl crossing the border from Mexico over there b/c of the swine flu scare

[knight_shadow]

http://www.wfaa.com/closings/

[SWTXBelle]

What do you call it when pigs fly?

Swine flew.

(ducks)

[aephi alum]

<chucks a rotten tomato toward SWTXBelle>

I've picked up some Tamiflu as a precautionary measure (thanks for the prescription, Dad ;) ). This way, I'll have it on hand in case DH or I exhibit flu symptoms -- whether it's a result of swine flu now or "normal" flu next fall/winter. I'd rather have the Tamiflu and not need it than need it and be unable to get it because there's been a run on the pharmacy.

(BTW, I inquired about what Tamiflu would cost without insurance. Answer: bloody expensive.)

[Beryana]

What do you call it when pigs fly?

Swine flew.

(ducks)

LOL

A sister asked if she could get swine flu from kissing her husband who is a cop. . . .

[texas*princess]

Watching the news - apparently flights are packed coming into DFW from Mexico, and AA flight crews are calling in sick and refusing to work those routes.

[texas*princess]

<chucks a rotten tomato toward SWTXBelle>

I've picked up some Tamiflu as a precautionary measure (thanks for the prescription, Dad ;) ). This way, I'll have it on hand in case DH or I exhibit flu symptoms -- whether it's a result of swine flu now or "normal" flu next fall/winter. I'd rather have the Tamiflu and not need it than need it and be unable to get it because there's been a run on the pharmacy.

(BTW, I inquired about what Tamiflu would cost without insurance. Answer: bloody expensive.)

I heard on the news that it's a little over $100 for one vial... idk if that is without insurance though. I would guess so because if you had insurance normally you just pay the copay.

[AGDee]

They determined that the kid from the school down the road did NOT have swine flu. High schoolers are funny because my daughter said all day everybody was saying it was confirmed and those schools were closed for a week. I kept scouring news sites and that school district's web site for some concrete evidence that the rumor was true and couldn't find any. Then on the 11 o'clock news they said the kid tested negative for it.

[KSUViolet06]

A friend of mine called and told me that there has been a confirmed case here at the University. I don't know if that's true or not, but I don't believe so. The CDC website only mentions 1 confirmed case in our state.

[PM_Mama00]

Actually, they closed Woodhaven-Brownstown District today and tomorrow. They expect the results from the one child's test either today or tomorrow and they are disinfecting the school thoroughly in the interim. My kids are in Gibraltar district though, where their only problem is a 7th grader with a hit list and a pistol obsession. He won't be coming back to my son's middle school, per the letter that came home yesterday. That's more scary than the flu if you ask me.

Are you kidding me? I'm gona have to tell one of my best friends. She's a Gibraltar girl and used to coach cheer there.

They determined that the kid from the school down the road did NOT have swine flu. High schoolers are funny because my daughter said all day everybody was saying it was confirmed and those schools were closed for a week. I kept scouring news sites and that school district's web site for some concrete evidence that the rumor was true and couldn't find any. Then on the 11 o'clock news they said the kid tested negative for it.

I'm so glad he was negative. The school had told parents that he'd get the results by Tuesday and everyone's been talking about it. How ironic that he gets the flu right after Mexico when this is going on.

[BuckeyeTriDelta]

A friend of mine called and told me that there has been a confirmed case here at the University. I don't know if that's true or not, but I don't believe so. The CDC website only mentions 1 confirmed case in our state.

KSU if you are still in Ohio, the only confirmed case is up near Cleveland in Lorain county. They thought there was one in Ross Coutny near Chillicothe but it turned up negative. They are testing a few people in Columbus (including an OSU Med. Center employee who they say has a "probable" case) for it but nothing so far.

[texas*princess]

Every single pig in the country! (http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/world/2009/04/30/lister.egypt.pig.slaughter.cnn)

eeeep!

[agzg]

Every single pig in the country! (http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/world/2009/04/30/lister.egypt.pig.slaughter.cnn)

eeeep!

Ugh. My dad is going to be in Egypt come Sunday. He's been in Kenya for two weeks at a missionary school so I doubt he knows the craziness associated with the swine flu here.

I was actually glad he was in Africa over all this rather than WNY - for whatever reason my dad has a tendency to catch anything and everything that's going around.

[DaemonSeid]

Food for thought: Less than 200 people have the swine flu yet people are scrambling to get masks, yet millions across the world suffer from AIDS and many still will not wear a condom or abstain.









...maybe it's the fear of a disease that can kill you a lot fater and there is no cure.

[agzg]

Food for thought: Less than 200 people have the swine flu yet people are scrambling to get masks, yet millions across the world suffer from AIDS and many still will not wear a condom or abstain.









...maybe it's the fear of a disease that can kill you a lot fater and there is no cure.


Plus AIDS is associated with "bad people" and many people think that they can't get it, but they believe they can get airborne diseases like swine flu just by watching people on TV.

[DaemonSeid]

Plus AIDS is associated with "bad people" and many people think that they can't get it, but they believe they can get airborne diseases like swine flu just by watching people on TV.

**COFF!! COFF!! OINK!! COFF!!** Yeah...COFF...that's it!

[WCsweet<3]

1 probable case in Portland makes everyone in Eugene freak out. 3 possible cases at Western Oregon makes the college and dorms shut down until Monday.
Now I'm being told not to go to Portland, a metropolis, because there is one possible case.

No comment.

[srmom]

I'm flying into Orlando tomorrow and driving to Gainesville to watch my son graduate = so I will be exposed on the plane, in the Orlando airport, in the OConnell Center, where the graduation ceremony is to take place, etc.

But, I will be damned if I'm going to miss him walk across that stage! It took too much to get him there!!!

Maybe I'll just hold my breath :o

[LaneSig]

One of the high schools in my district was shut down today until Monday, May 11th, due to a confirmed case of Swine Flu. All the teachers are wondering (hoping?) if our whole district will close.

[epchick]

I have a friend with family in El Paso -- she said that there are hordes of ppl crossing the border from Mexico over there b/c of the swine flu scare

That is totally not true. As far as I know, there hasn't been any confirmed cases of the swine flu here. But I do know that there isn't an exodus of people coming in from Juarez.

Although, my 8th grade cousin did come home crying because her teacher told the class she was leaving b/c the school nurse told her (the teacher) that she has the swine flu. The teacher told my cousin that she probably infected the whole class, and now my cousin is freaked out b/c she's worried her cold will turn into the swine flu. How the school nurse can diagnose the swine flu, idk.

[RaggedyAnn]

I'm flying into Orlando tomorrow and driving to Gainesville to watch my son graduate = so I will be exposed on the plane, in the Orlando airport, in the OConnell Center, where the graduation ceremony is to take place, etc.

But, I will be damned if I'm going to miss him walk across that stage! It took too much to get him there!!!

Maybe I'll just hold my breath :o

Northeastern banned hand shaking of graduates during commencement.
http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2009/05/spirits_high_de.html

[pshsx1]

No, my district (Plano, on the northeast side of Dallas) is still in session. The general attitude here is that the administration wouldn't shut us down this week due to TAKS (that's the state testing for you non-Texans).

Richardson school district has closed one elementary school for the week and the Clebourne school district announced it was closing before Fort Worth did.

The state hs athletic association has asked for all athletic events to be cancelled for the near future. I am actually surprised that none of the districts along the border have closed as a precaution. Teachers are wondering if Gov. Goodhair might shut down all school districts in the state for a couple of days.

mmmm They closed a middle school in Plano (Wilson) and postponed UIL events (which you mentioned).. Also PISD has cancelled all overnight trips for the year. At least that's what my friends there are telling me. I guess I'll find out in a bit when I head home.

[epchick]

IDK if it's been mentioned already, but Slipper Rock University is holding a seperate graduation ceremony for a group of students who took a trip down to Mexico. I seriously think that is sooo bizarre, and wrong. From what was said on the news, none of the kids are sick. It's not like the swine flu is attacked to their skin or something and is gonna jump out to the rest of the graduates.

The group of students are fine with it, but i'd be pissed if that was me.

[DaemonSeid]

Question for the board: Is this what the US needs now to close down the Mexican border?


Uh oh...it's CONSPIRACY TIME!!!!!!

[KSUViolet06]

KSU if you are still in Ohio, the only confirmed case is up near Cleveland in Lorain county. They thought there was one in Ross Coutny near Chillicothe but it turned up negative. They are testing a few people in Columbus (including an OSU Med. Center employee who they say has a "probable" case) for it but nothing so far.

Yes, I am--and just so that everyone knows, I double-checked and there is NOT a case here. So far there is still only one.

[carnation]

The state of Texas has decided not to hold district track meets, just send the top 4 from each region to state. This is really pissing off my brother because although my niece qualifies for the state with her shot put throw (135 ft., I believe) and will go for that, she's maybe 6th in discus and wouldn't have the chance to compete in that event.

It might be understandable if they had swine flu infections all around but they seem to have based it on "just in case".

[Xanthus]

This is just another virus that will blow over. Not saying we shouldn't take it seriously, but I don't think it will be something we will be as concerned about in the near future.

[bostongreek]

Northeastern banned hand shaking of graduates during commencement.
http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2009/05/spirits_high_de.html

this turned out to be the most awkward thing ever

[SWTXBelle]

One possible case at a Katy ISD Middle School. My reaction is I'm washing my hands as often as I think about, and forcing my boys to do the same. My husband will intinct for communion this Sunday - I'm only going to my RCIA class. I'm already hysterical about coming up with the deductible for my husband's flooded car - I don't have time to get hysterical about this. :rolleyes:

[aephi alum]

The local Roman Catholic diocese has encouraged people attending Mass not to hold hands during the Lord's Prayer, not to shake hands during the Sign of Peace, and to receive Communion wafers in their hands rather than orally. Also, parishes have been encouraged not to offer Communion wine, unless someone (say, someone with celiac disease) requests it.

I'm just glad I don't work in NYC any more... I would still use mass transit and go to the office if I still worked down there, but I'm just as glad I don't have to.

[33girl]

Question for the board: Is this what the US needs now to close down the Mexican border?

Uh oh...it's CONSPIRACY TIME!!!!!!

You win this thread. I wouldn't be a bit surprised.

[Thetagirl218]

Northeastern banned hand shaking of graduates during commencement.
http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2009/05/spirits_high_de.html

USF is doing the same thing...

[PM_Mama00]

The local Roman Catholic diocese has encouraged people attending Mass not to hold hands during the Lord's Prayer, not to shake hands during the Sign of Peace, and to receive Communion wafers in their hands rather than orally. Also, parishes have been encouraged not to offer Communion wine, unless someone (say, someone with celiac disease) requests it.

I'm just glad I don't work in NYC any more... I would still use mass transit and go to the office if I still worked down there, but I'm just as glad I don't have to.

I'm all for that being a permanent thing. I always hate doing sign of peace with strangers. You don't know where their hands have been.

[xoredhotxo]

we've got a confirmed case at washington and lee. awesome

[KSUViolet06]

Postponed proms, hand sanitizer signs of the times in swine flu era

http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/05/02/swine.flu.schools/index.html?eref=rss_latest



"Cisco Junior College in West Central Texas canceled graduation ceremonies yesterday, the college said. Instead, students will get their diplomas by mail."

"Dan Godshall and 19 other students at Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania attended a private graduation on Saturday for students had recently visited Mexico.

The students had returned from student teaching in Mexico earlier this week ahead of schedule because they were worried the border would be closed and they'd miss out on walking at their graduation. Watch Slippery Rock students tell their story »

The college decided not to let them walk in their own graduation out of fears that they made have been exposed to the H1N1 flu outbreak in Mexico.

"The university has received hundreds of calls from students and parents who were worried about being exposed at the commencement ceremonies," the university's vice president said in an e-mail. "We have an obligation to protect others from what they perceive is possible exposure to this virus."



"In an e-mail from the Denton Independent School District, students learned that all schools in the district would be closed this week and that Guyer High School's prom would be rescheduled for May 29."

[Xanthus]

I'm all for that being a permanent thing. I always hate doing sign of peace with strangers. You don't know where their hands have been.
Yeah, I hear ya. It kills me how people will use the crapper and leave without even looking at the sink to wash their hands. I hear it's a rule to wash for at least 20 seconds.

[angels&angles]

we've got a confirmed case at washington and lee. awesome

Especially fascinating because apparently that student hasn't been out of the country and only visited states where there are no reported cases... (according to the Richmond Times online, don't know how reliable that is).

Personally, I think it's over-hyped, but I'm hoping they'll cancel classes for a few days until blows over, and no one dies or anything.

I'm a little scared, but then I just finished re-reading The Stand...

[alum]

Here is a list of all the higher education institutions with H1N1 issues

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&ll=39.571822,-95.625&spn=36.948082,67.851563&z=4&msid=109878326824967605990.000468a80b7ca216e4d3a&mid=1241347371

[AGDee]

The local Roman Catholic diocese has encouraged people attending Mass not to hold hands during the Lord's Prayer, not to shake hands during the Sign of Peace, and to receive Communion wafers in their hands rather than orally. Also, parishes have been encouraged not to offer Communion wine, unless someone (say, someone with celiac disease) requests it.

I'm just glad I don't work in NYC any more... I would still use mass transit and go to the office if I still worked down there, but I'm just as glad I don't have to.

I'm kind of floored about the wine thing. The old line from the Catholic church was that you could not possibly become ill from drinking the Blood of Christ, He simply wouldn't allow it.

ETA: So the school district near me had closed for two days while waiting for test results on one student. Those results came in the first day but since they had already announced the closure for both days, they stayed closed the second day. Now another school district not so close to me has announced it is closing for 7 days while awaiting test results. So if these test results come in say, on Tuesday,and they are negative for swine flu, those kids sit home all week for nothing? Logic people, logic. Make it a day by day thing until you know for sure. What's the point of closing for 7 days for a "suspected" case. Do you know how many illnesses have the same symptoms as the H1N1 virus? Every flu/upper respiratory virus I've ever had does!

[texas*princess]

Northeastern banned hand shaking of graduates during commencement.
http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2009/05/spirits_high_de.html

I attended a graduation yesterday and they did the same.

[agzg]

I had pork for dinner.

COME AND GET ME, SWINE FLU!

[SWTXBelle]

I'm a little peeved that 3 high schools in the Katy ISD did not allow students to come to the Best Buddies ( a program that provides mentors for special ed. students) end of the year dance at the Elks Hall, but has yet to cancel a single prom. It's not that I think they should cancel prom - I'm just trying to figure out why a dance that means SO MUCH to the special ed kids was singled out.

[aephi alum]

I'm kind of floored about the wine thing. The old line from the Catholic church was that you could not possibly become ill from drinking the Blood of Christ, He simply wouldn't allow it.

You're not exactly becoming ill from drinking the Blood of Christ. You're (potentially) becoming ill from drinking from a chalice that someone with swine flu (or a cold or whatever) has just drunk from. Viruses don't care about transubstantiation.

ETA: Just had a weird image of a priest handing out Communion and attended by two altar servers - one holding a paten, and the other holding hand sanitizer...

[PM_Mama00]

I'm kind of floored about the wine thing. The old line from the Catholic church was that you could not possibly become ill from drinking the Blood of Christ, He simply wouldn't allow it.

ETA: So the school district near me had closed for two days while waiting for test results on one student. Those results came in the first day but since they had already announced the closure for both days, they stayed closed the second day. Now another school district not so close to me has announced it is closing for 7 days while awaiting test results. So if these test results come in say, on Tuesday,and they are negative for swine flu, those kids sit home all week for nothing? Logic people, logic. Make it a day by day thing until you know for sure. What's the point of closing for 7 days for a "suspected" case. Do you know how many illnesses have the same symptoms as the H1N1 virus? Every flu/upper respiratory virus I've ever had does!

What district Dee? I haven't heard of any others. This is out of hand. It'S A FLU.

[honeychile]

Yeah, I hear ya. It kills me how people will use the crapper and leave without even looking at the sink to wash their hands. I hear it's a rule to wash for at least 20 seconds.

Actually, 45 seconds is preferable. Sing one round of Happy Birthday or Old McDonald Had A Farm and you're set. FYI, I usually sing it to myself.

[Xanthus]

Actually, 45 seconds is preferable. Sing one round of Happy Birthday or Old McDonald Had A Farm and you're set. FYI, I usually sing it to myself.
I'll keep that in mind. That would be nice to have one of those bacteria black lights.

[AGDee]

What district Dee? I haven't heard of any others. This is out of hand. It'S A FLU.

Utica High School is closed for the whole week. Plymouth-Canton district for at least two days.

[aephi alum]

Sing one round of ... Old McDonald Had A Farm and you're set.

Old McDonald had a farm, E-I-E-I-O.
And on that farm he had a pig, E-I-E-I-O.
With an oink oink here, and an oink oink there,
Here an oink, there an oink, everywhere an oink oink.
Now McDonald has swine flu, cough cough sniff sniff wheeze!

(sorry, couldn't resist the temptation)

[PiKA2001]

Utica High School is closed for the whole week. Plymouth-Canton district for at least two days.

I think Lanse Crues as well.

[PiKA2001]

Question for the board: Is this what the US needs now to close down the Mexican border?


Uh oh...it's CONSPIRACY TIME!!!!!!

If it was bad, i.e. 90% mortality rate then I would say close the border for all non-essential business. If you lived in a border town you would see how many people cross over for frivolous reasons such as buying blankets or just to eat dinner. At my gym I usually see about 4 or 5 cars with MXN license plates in the parking lot whenever I go. Like there's no gyms in Juarez??

[AGDee]

I think Lanse Crues as well.

And LC North too. Richmond district is also.

The high schools that close, well that's not a big deal. I work with a lot of parents from the Plymouth-Canton who are scrambling for child care, having to take time off from work, etc. because that whole district is closed and you can't leave elementary kids home alone.

My kids keep hoping for a closure, but I have pointed out to them that they have used a few snow days so if they get a closure, they'll probably have to go extra days at the end! That's definitely not fun.

[srmom]

I just got back from my son's graduation at UF - they all shook hands (with like 6 people on the stage - Deans and Pres of the college) Only sign of the apocolypse was the hand sanitizer at the end of the stage ;)

We flew in and out of Orlando - home of Disney World - so packed with kids and families from all over, and NARY a face mask in the entire airport or plane!

so far I have no symptoms, but I'll let y'all know if I start hacking!! haha!

[honeychile]

I'll keep that in mind. That would be nice to have one of those bacteria black lights.
With my poor immune system, I do have one. Actually, two. One for home and one for travel. You can't use it on people, though.

[Beryana]

the sign of stupidity in a county health services office. . ..allowing a child that HAS been exposed to the virus (because her father is a confirmed case) to go to school without quarantine - and surprisingly she has since tested positive for influenza. Now the school is closed due to waiting the results of what strain (gee, I wonder). This is the elementary school, she rode the bus, AND the school was the hub for other schools to bring kids and get put on the correct busses!! My cousin, who is a nurse AND has a daughter at that school, is FURIOUS at the incompetence of the county health department.

Also, the cleaning crew where the gentleman with the confirmed case worked was never told WHY they were super cleaning the department he worked in!!

There is blowing things out of proportion and then there is sheer stupidity!!

[honeychile]

^^Good golly Miss Molly! Whomever witheld that information could be instrumental in a (hopefully) small epidemic! It just goes to show that it's not necessarily confined to hospitals or such - use that Purell, people!

[AGDee]

http://www.clickondetroit.com/health/19356340/detail.html#-


U.S. health officials are no longer recommending that schools close because of swine flu.

The government last week advised schools to shut down for about two weeks if there were suspected cases of swine flu. Hundreds of schools around the country have followed that guidance and closed schools.

[LaneSig]

All schools that were previously closed in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area are re-opening today.

[Xanthus]

It's good to be extra cautious, but this isn't the ebola virus.

[SWTXBelle]

http://roflrazzi.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/celebrity-pictures-pigs-in-space-swine-flu.jpg

[WCsweet<3]

http://roflrazzi.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/celebrity-pictures-pigs-in-space-swine-flu.jpg

OMG! I almost spit my coke out on my laptop. SWTXBelle, you just made my day.

[angels&angles]

W&L now has 7 confirmed cases of swine flu. This less than 24 hours after they told us they're just treating it like a regular flu season. There are news vans everywhere, and they're not even canceling classes.

[alum]

W&L now has 7 confirmed cases of swine flu. This less than 24 hours after they told us they're just treating it like a regular flu season. There are news vans everywhere, and they're not even canceling classes.

There are only 11 cases in the entire Commonwealth of VA and 7 are at W&L, a LAC that only has 1800 undergraduates.

[aggieAXO]

Not sure if anyone saw the Doctors On Tuesday (I didn't get to see it b/c I just had back sx) but a vet was on there-Kristy O. Murray talking about it, she use to work for the CDC.-she is a Pi Phi from Texas A&M (we went through rush together). Hope this makes sense cause i am on some pain meds and having a hard time forming sentnces :).

[SWTXBelle]

http://punditkitchen.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/political-pictures-lauer-piggy-swine-flu.jpg

[RU OX Alum]

There are only 11 cases in the entire Commonwealth of VA and 7 are at W&L, a LAC that only has 1800 undergraduates.

No one in Richmond is wearing the mask or anything.

[alum]

According to VDH, it's now 9 cases at W&L and 14 total in VA. NoVA has its first case.

[Kevin]

3 in Oklahoma so far.

A good friend of mine loaded up on surgical masks for his office.

"What he means is Old Testament, Mr. Mayor, real wrath of God type stuff. Fire and brimstone coming down from the skies! Rivers and seas boiling! Forty years of darkness! Earthquakes, volcanoes... The dead rising from the grave! Human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together... mass hysteria!"

[BigRedBeta]

I'd just like to say that I graduated med school last week and my newly minted doctor friends and I have been calling swine flu manbearpig flu for the entirety of the "hysteria"...seriously, more than 35000 people die of "regular" flu every year, which no one seems to care about so much.

http://proverbs.jitterbeangirl.com/manbearpig.jpg

[RaggedyAnn]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wju7F5ytk6M

Here is a video regarding proper sneezing and coughing techniques. Watcher beware.

[utpenguin]

Someone in one of my classes got swine flu. Nobody else has gotten sick in our class even though there's about 100 of us cramped into a classroom in the basement.

My roommate works at a children's hospital and she says it's ridiculous how many people are coming in with minor symptoms. She said the hospital had to go into disaster mode just because of the number of people coming in thinking their kid had swine flu.

[KSUViolet06]

Seriously, more than 35000 people die of "regular" flu every year, which no one seems to care about so much.


YES. The hysteria is killing me.

[Munchkin03]

No one in Richmond is wearing the mask or anything.

Why should they? I live in walking distance from the HS here in Queens that had a bunch of kids get sick at the beginning. No one I see on the subways have had masks on. My friends who work in public health have said that there's no reason for someone with a pretty decent immune system, or without a history of chronic respiratory illnesses, to get het up about this. Even the doctors I know are pretty chill right now.