Swine Flu?

**AmyBoz** · 06-03-2009, 12:57 PM

They were talking on the news last night that people in the midwest aren't really up on the whole swine flu deal, as it isn't hitting them as hard as it is the east coast and other countries. So, I figured, "Hey, I know a place with people from all over the country!" So, I'm asking...have you been hit by swine flu and if not, are you even hearing about it?

Morris County, where I live, now has the most cases in NJ. They are saying that it is now community-wide, so they are not recommending closing the schools because it's going through the community, not just the schools. They say if your child has symptoms, keep them home for 7 days or 24 hours after they have stopped showing symptoms, whichever is longer. Pfizer, which is housed here, has handed out pandemic kits to its employees. I think, at this point, there is a lot of "sky is falling" mentality, however, I do understand the precautions.

The truth is, I'd rather get it now, as they are predicting the strain that will come back around in the fall will be stronger, as it has been in similar flu outbreaks of the past. I stayed home today as I wasn't feeling well, but I don't think it's related. We had 119 kids out of school yesterday.

We definitely live in interesting times!

**Contrary Housewife** · 06-03-2009, 02:47 PM

It's in the news here but I don't think people are panicky about it. We have had cases here in the city. I saw yesterday that it has now been reported in all 50 states.

It's just the flu. A new variety, sure, but still just the flu. I've always felt that people who are sick with a cold or the flu should stay home, but our society doesn't seem to take these illnesses seriously. We send our sick kid to school and then take our sick selves off to work, unless it is the weekend and then we go out in public.

I'm still the only one at the grocery store who uses the disinfectant wipes on the shopping cart. The last time I had the flu I think was in 2000.

I'm sorry your area has been hit harder than most. I hope it is over soon with few deaths. There is no telling what might happen with it in the fall. It might just quietly vanish like last year's mumps outbreak.... (which had me far more worried, as I didn't get it as a child)

**Michelle** · 06-03-2009, 02:59 PM

Wow Amy, how many kids are in your school?

Our district has the same policy (the 7 days/24 hrs). I can't remember how many cases have been confirmed in MA, but I don't personally know anyone who has come down with it.

**AmyBoz** · 06-03-2009, 03:02 PM

Michelle, We have 930 kids in our school. Only a few of the absent have been confirmed cases, but there are a few in each of our districts buildings. They gave out enormous bottles of Purell type antibacterial handwipes for each classroom and office. Our last day isn't until June 22nd and we are giving finals now. I'd rather the kids stay home and have to make it up than come in and try to power through.

**Michelle** · 06-03-2009, 03:02 PM

I just looked it up 673 cases across MA

**fixer** · 06-03-2009, 03:06 PM

I had hoped the warm weather would slow it down. Regardless of what may be said, most people are expected to go to work when sick. It is part of our culture.

**StartingOver** · 06-03-2009, 03:43 PM

I'm in the midwest...I just looked it up. As of 5/29/09....We have only 7 confirmed cases of swine flu in our entire state.

We've been out of school now for about 3 weeks, so I have not really been hearing much about it.

**elphie** · 06-03-2009, 05:27 PM

I know we've had a few cases confirmed in our immediate area, not sure how many statewide (MO). I am a little baffled that a news medium thinks ANYONE could have missed this news, lol. We live in the midwest but we still have CNN.

**Sara Noel** · 06-03-2009, 05:46 PM

298 here in Michigan. 1 death.

**McD** · 06-03-2009, 06:40 PM

We had some confirmed cases in Iowa. The hardest hit area was Marshalltown, which has a lot of residents that travel back and forth to and from Mexico.

We hear about it in the news, there are signs up at the doctor's office, but life goes on, ya know?

**AmyBoz** · 06-03-2009, 06:48 PM

LOL Elphie!

**Gardengal18** · 06-03-2009, 08:16 PM

They've got it in Philly, York, they have 8 cases in the Poconos and just confirmed the first case in Allentown, PA yesterday.

**CrazyHomemaker** · 06-03-2009, 09:33 PM

We've had a few confirmed cases in SC. They are going overboard at work. I had to procure a bunch of the waterless hand cleanser for all areas. Also, everyone who doesn't feel well is to stay home...just in case. However, those who are panicking are hacking up a lung and coming to work with whatever they have. I stayed home one day because I got whatever my DH had the week before. I took my own advice that I give to everyone...echinacea...chicken soup with garlic in it...spicy foods...rest...tea. I knocked it out and went to work the next day. They didn't do it and suffered for weeks. There seem to be something with the sinus going around down here which mimics some flu symptoms but is not the flu. It hangs on for weeks for most people.

**YankeeMom** · 06-03-2009, 09:39 PM

We have had a couple of cases in the neighboring county, one case in this county, and several in the county below us. Nothing major. I'm not worried.

Ask me again in the fall, when/if it comes back mutated (stronger).

**MumtoEmma** · 06-05-2009, 05:01 AM

Hi

I was wondering myself just tonight while watching the news how it was in other countries. I'm in Queensland Australia and today they have just closed the first school in Brisbane because of Swine Flu. It's also going to be closed for 7 days. There have been heaps of schools closed in another state of Australia and a couple in the far north of Queensland but this is the first for Brisbane. I had to send an email address to my DD's school today incase they have to close so she can still receive homework. Mind you she is only in Grade 1 so I don't know why they would bother.

They use to report to us every day how many people had the infection but I think that in the last couple of days it has jumped so much they don't bother. Last week a whole cruise ship was quarantined at sea because 3 employees were confirmed. 2000 people on a boat that wasn't allowed to dock. FUN CRUISE!!!

I'm not really too concerned because we are also hearing conflicting stories about it. The Government says we need to be overly cautious and then other professionals say we should not worry and maybe it would be helpful to catch this strain to give us immunity as they are predicting a more virulent strain before the end of winter. Who knows?????