Are you concerned about the swine flu?

**WV_mom_of2** · 04-29-2009, 09:21 AM

I watch the news every morning and the swine flu is just about all they are talking about it seems. I am not getting into a panic over it. I am trying to research it and gain all the knowledge I can without letting the media panic me. I want to be prepared if it does hit but I am determined to not let it worry me. As with every little thing the media seems to be really trying to stir people into a panic. When the news first hit the news program I watch was just saying the grim things, NOT making any attempt to really tell people about it or help. For instance they didn't say that it's just another strain of influenza and that people do come down with it each year(usually people who work with pigs, but people do get it). They didn't mention that 36,000 people die every single year in the US from what we think of as the regular flu so that deaths from the swine flu won't be that unusal, etc.

They've been letting people do what they call Ireports where people videotape themselves and send it in and they show it. I saw a lady on there this morning who said she is stockpiling food and meds and cash so that when the president tells us to stay home she is ready.

I am already stockpiled so I guess if it gets to that point, I'm ready! I did remind my kids of the precautions I tell them every flu season. If someone is coughing or sneezing around you, take a few steps back from them, turn your head, etc. WASH YOUR HANDS often! Don't eat or drink after anyone, etc.

What about you? Are you taking precautions or just waiting it out?

**mommy4ever** · 04-29-2009, 09:37 AM

I think the media hype is ridiculous. We have 6 cases in Canada... most of them isolated, not together. So not even an outbreak.

The school has sent letters home that if you child has a cold, keep them home, my daughters are in a panic and obsessively washing their hands. DD12 hands are cracked and bleeding. It's dumb.

More people die from other things than they have of this flu.

People need to be aware, but they are making this out to be worse. Yes, Mexico has it horribly, they need to be more cautious. But 6 cases?

**2ndGenGranola** · 04-29-2009, 10:05 AM

While I believe there is a serious illness out there, I also believe the media has tried to sensationalize it. Look back at the diet pills with ephedra (sp?). More people die a year of aspirin than did for the whole lifespan of that herbal supplement.

I try to always be ready for anything and have my stockpile. I do believe people who are sick need to stay at home and sometimes even well people need to stay at home. (We had a friends kid die of the flu a few years back. They shut down the church nursery and scrubbed that place down better than most hospitals I've been in.)

Preparation and education- yes. Panic and overreacting - no!

**savvy_sniper** · 04-29-2009, 10:12 AM

The media likes to sensationalize EVERYTHING. Be reasonable - wash your hands, stay away from large gatherings (as much as possible), etc. If you or anyone you know feels bad - STAY HOME and call the doctor. Remind your children (and adults unfortunately) to cough or sneeze into their arm; not cover their mouth because then they leave germs on anything they touch.

The first fatality has been reported here in Houston Texas, but the child is from the Brownsville area and was transferred to a hospital here. I am not belittling the child's death, BUT people die every year from the flu. Getting proper medical attention BEFORE it gets too bad is important.

**LynnLC** · 04-29-2009, 10:20 AM

They only thing I worry about is that my son's teacher just returned from a weeks vacation in of course...Mexico. I have been tempted to call school nurse.

**Debbie-cat** · 04-29-2009, 10:22 AM

I am not worried. We are as far away from Mexico as you can get. We also live in the boonies.

But we are ready for anything.

**WV_mom_of2** · 04-29-2009, 10:27 AM

Originally Posted by LynnLC

They only thing I worry about is that my son's teacher just returned from a weeks vacation in of course...Mexico. I have been tempted to call school nurse.

Now that would worry me. I wouldn't panic, but I would be concerned! THAT is a legitimate concern that should be looked into.

**forHISglory** · 04-29-2009, 10:59 AM

I'm not worried, but that doesn't mean I'm not going to be sensibly careful. If I don't have to be in a crowd, I won't. I wash my hand, cover my mouth, turn away from those who are coughing, etc. But these are just common sense tactics, and not a panic mode.

**imagine** · 04-29-2009, 10:59 AM

I must admit I'm a bit nervous about the Swine flu.

It seems that there are more and more chances by the day. Sure it isn't as bad as Mexico has been but is that because it is just starting?

I think that is what the governments are trying to prevent by declaring states of emergency, restricting travel to certain areas, closing school that have higher numbers of out breaks. Taking precautions to prevent is better than trying to handle a full blown pandemic.

I also think there is lots of misunderstanding about the Swine flu like that you can get it from eating pork, or that you get it from pigs. It started out in pigs but it has transformed to a human to human virus. My understanding is that it is a mix of swine flu, avian flu and human flu.

Precautions good panic bad

Here is a link to a map of the world showing confirmed cases just to keep things in perceptive.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30435064

**rainbowgc** · 04-29-2009, 11:07 AM

my daughters are in a panic and obsessively washing their hands. DD12 hands are cracked and bleeding. It's dumb.

Believe it or not, depending on the age of your children, anxiety such as this, especially to the point of washing hands until they are cracked and bleeding can lead to a lifetime of OCD.
If between the ages of 7-12 the anxiety and rituals associated with it re-wires the brain if the anxiety is sustained.
I wouldn't take this situation lightly.
How do I know? My OCD started at the age of 7 over a traumatic event, I am now 51 and have done both a lot of therapy and study of the condition.

**YankeeMom** · 04-29-2009, 11:17 AM

Not panicked. Not understanding all the hype either.

BTW, I'm in NY. The state in the US with the most confirmed cases. There was also a group of high school seniors at my daughters' school who went to Cancun for spring break. Not overly concerned at this point.

**LastDragonfly** · 04-29-2009, 11:18 AM

I must admit I'm concerned. I live in a border state. My husband works with many illegals who regularly travel back and forth to Mexico. His work is also tellling people....if you feel sick DONT SHOW UP. They do have a health office at work who are keeping an eye on people.

I have a well stocked pantry. I refilled my daily meds yesterday so just in case there is a quarantine, I have enough to last 2 months. I put hand sanitizer in both our vehicles and in the girls backpacks.

I do not think we should be in panic mode.

**Mom2Many** · 04-29-2009, 11:28 AM

I just not-so-secretly hope that there are enough people that freak and stop eating pork so that the price drops and I can stock up on bacon

**YankeeMom** · 04-29-2009, 11:44 AM

Originally Posted by Mom2Many

I just not-so-secretly hope that there are enough people that freak and stop eating pork so that the price drops and I can stock up on bacon

LOL I'm glad I'm not the only one

**savvy_sniper** · 04-29-2009, 11:44 AM

Originally Posted by Mom2Many

I just not-so-secretly hope that there are enough people that freak and stop eating pork so that the price drops and I can stock up on bacon

ME TOO! And pork chops and pork ribs and pork roast - Yummy!

FYI - They said on the news last night that the incubation period is 48 hours. So if anyone you know has travelled to Mexico has been home for more than 2 days and show no signs then they should be okay.