Scientists Warn Of Coming Flu Outbreak

AP/Yahoo ^ | 12-13-2003 | Malcomb Ritter

[Batrachian]

I don't know why we keep hearing so much about this. Does any one really believe that it will be the Spanish Flu all over again? Call me paranoid, but I think this is some kind of bizarre stealth attack against Bush.

[GOP_Proud]

Wasn't the '68 thing the Hong Kong Flu? I don't remember it being a disaster.

[blam]

"Wasn't the '68 thing the Hong Kong Flu? I don't remember it being a disaster."

My only child was born that year and I don't remember anything peculiar about it.

[DoughtyOne]

Another 'sky is falling' rant. The actual facts about this flu season aren't that much worse than any other year. It's as if the public health departments are trying to scare the bejesus out of people. What I am trying to figure out, is why?

This is one of the first years in a long time when influenza virus vaccines were in plentiful supply. Then, mid-stream, the public health departments instigated a frenzy of ill-advised statements which paniced people into getting a flu shot. Now there's a shortage.

The outbreak of flu that has been so talked about this year, is a variety that IS NOT covered by the influenza vaccine designed, manufactured and distributed this year. Still the public health officials promote the vaccine because "it may help". LOL, now there's a resounding endorsement. If that were true it wouldn't matter much if we anticipated and designed vaccines for new varieties each year would it.

It almost makes one wonder if there's a homosexual ACLU and socialist gene being implemented in with the actual vaccine. If not, what's this bum's rush all about?

[netmilsmom]

I don't know that it is against Bush, more that it is a push to have all of us get flu shots every year. I heard some lady on the radio state that if we could get everyone to get a flu shot, we could eliminate flu. HA! This year's flu strain that is so bad is not even covered by the shot.
The last time I got a shot, I was fine that year. The next year, I skipped it. I got every disease that came down the pike including Mono at 42. I don't think I built up any natural immunities.
This year I got the shot and I have been sick ever since. I think we got a bad batch in this area. I did not get the shots for the girls and I'm trusting in God to keep them safe.

[maridee]

I do remeber the Hong Kong flu, I got that one. I rememeber the caugh lasted a month when it was over.
I also rememeber my dealings calling New York City offices. They were empty. So many people were sick.
My flu lasted about 5 days. It was bad.
Also whenever you had dealings with anyone on the phone,you would hear heavy caughing. That was the clue that they had gotton the Hong Kong flu.
It must have been bad, because I rarely ever get even a cold, which I do have now. :-)

[maridee]

I guess I should have done a spell check. Sorry for the errors.
In a hurry.

[spectre]

"The outbreak of flu that has been so talked about this year, is a variety that IS NOT covered by the influenza vaccine designed, manufactured and distributed this year. Still the public health officials promote the vaccine because "it may help". LOL, now there's a resounding endorsement."

Right. So we got inoculated for the wrong flu. But it just may give us some protection..LOL.

sw

[onyx]

A good and timely post, blam. My husband is a physician, and we're keeping out 4-year-old gdaughter out of pre-school for the entire month of December and we might extend it through January. This flu strain is serious.

[GOP_Proud]

Since I'm fairly susceptible to respiratory illnesses (due to being seriously burned as a child...almost died of pneumonia), I almost always get the flu shot and haven't had it since I started shots. I've never suffered any effects from the shot either. I was at the doctor's office yesterday (ear infection) and talked to him about it. He says the vaccine is always hit and miss and this years may not be a hit. He told me to be alert for it and gave me symptons to look for as to when I should come in if I get sick.

[Cobra64]

I'm waiting for the media to mention the words "flu" and "George W. Bush" in the same sentence.

[Severa]

Got my flu shot the week it was available this time round. Fat lot of good it did me. This week has been one of the most miserable weeks of my life. We (the kids and I) are a coughing sniffling sneezing mess.

[DouglasKC]

I don't know why we keep hearing so much about this. Does any one really believe that it will be the Spanish Flu all over again? Call me paranoid, but I think this is some kind of bizarre stealth attack against Bush.

It's like the press thinks it's 1918 again and that most people in the US don't have heat, plumbing, or access to over the counter medicines.

[Dysart]

I met with the first person diagnosed with nasty bug in Dallas county. She was in Parkland for two weeks,barely hanging on. She said she had only finished eating an hour earlier,when she was stricken by what she thought was food poisoning. Within an hour or so,she was almost incapacitated,and spent quite a bit of time on a ventilator.

She works out at Love Field and has extensive contact with the flying public. Makes you wonder how this has spread so far,so quickly, doesn't it?

I'm normally very skeptical--well about everything--but this outbreak is nothing to sneeze at.

[ladylib]

Maybe they can put together a sentence containing SUV, George W. Bush, and flu.

[LasVegasMac]

a coughing sniffling sneezing mess.

I do hope you and kids get well soon - but I just had to laugh at what you said. That sounds like it needs to be an advertisement on TV for some medicine.

My boy just had his tonsils and adenoids removed this past Wed. Even though he had the shot, the doc's beat it into our heads, "Do not let him outside for 7 days - no matter how good he feels - DO NOT! If he gets the flu he is in for a very hard time."

Adice heeded and my 9 yr old is about fit to be tied.

LVM

[Allegra]

Wasn't the '68 thing the Hong Kong Flu? I don't remember it being a disaster.

I think so. It was some kind of Asian flu. I was a kid living in Italy (military brat) at the time and I caught it right around Christmas time. I don't remember it being any big deal and I think I got over it pretty quickly.

[Gritty]

I'm waiting for the media to mention the words "flu" and "George W. Bush" in the same sentence.

Wait no longer.

Bush blamed for flu vaccine shortage