[Rayzerm]

Originally Posted by Guardian

A lot of good points here, we must remember Pandemic and Epidemic are two different words. We still come across a lot of folks who don't realize the difference. Education is the key to keeping the masses calm in my view.

Just following on from Guardian's post, it might be helpful to give definations of both Pandemic and Epidemic.

An Epidemic is defined as a situation when new cases of a certain disease, in a given human population, and during a given period, substantially exceed what is "expected," based on recent experience.

A Pandemic is an epidemic of infectious disease that is spreading through human populations across a large region; for instance a continent, or even worldwide


So, taking my day-glo yellow spot disease from before.....

If you would, given previous experience, expect 50 people in, say, Ireland to have this disease every year and suddenly you have 5000, you have an Epidemic. If the spots spread to the rest of the world, you have a Pandemic.

So, the words themselves are only definations of the spread and occurance of any given disease.

CrazyDaves comments about the UK hold true for Ireland in the most part. There is no big deal being made about the numbers hospitalised. OK, when someone dies, it is reported but not in a "We're dooooomed" way that I have seen it reported elsewhere.

Ah well...

[Celticwarrior]

In the immortal words of Ebeneezer Scrooge: "If they are dying, then let them die, and decrease the surplus population thereby."

I find the entire H1N1 thing to be a HUGELY overblown hype. Are people getting sick with the flu? Yes. Are slightly more people dying because of it? Probably. Are more people still dying of AIDS in sub-saharan Africa everyday than of Swine Flu? Most assuredly. When we start having hospitals declaring that they are overflowing capacity, when doctors start telling people in whole areas that they shouldn't go to work or school and that crowds of any sort (like the World Series) should be outlawed for the time being, THEN I will worry. When we start having to make mass graves, or have deuce & a half's coming down residential streets with loudspeakers calling "Bring out your dead", then we can say this is as bad a situation as the Spanish Flu of the 1900's. Until then, it is just hype, to deflect people's fears to something that the politicians can't be held accountable for, unlike unemployment, the weak global and national economies, the health care bill, and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, to name a few.

Hell, by the time it's over, IF it ever got as bad as they keep making it out to be, maybe there will be less people in the job market and we can get unemployment under control?

[Unswydd]

I agree with the posts on this. 2,500 people got the vaccine on Saturday here in Bloomington IL. They had to close the doors there were probably that many more waiting in the parkinglot. Who are these sheep????? I don't know and I hope I didn't know a one of them.

[crazydave]

just out of curiosity are these vaccinations free or subsidised like in proper countries or full price like in a capitalist utopia?

[Celticwarrior]

Originally Posted by crazydave

just out of curiosity are these vaccinations free or subsidised like in proper countries or full price like in a capitalist utopia?

Combination of the two, actually. For the "high-risk" crowd (kids, healthcare workers, and such) they are free from various local government health organizations (county/city agencies). For everyone else, it's pretty much a pay as you go deal. Average price is $25 US. Some folks will apparently need 2 of these innoculations, plus the regular flu shots as well. What a wonderful money making enterprise that deal is, eh?

[snowshoe67]

Two Vaccination for Kids now I heard True? Hmmm "Does It Really Work?" I am Having Big ??? on This! Goverment is say It's O.K???? Hmmmmm

[Unswydd]

Originally Posted by snowshoe67

Two Vaccination for Kids now I heard True? Hmmm "Does It Really Work?" I am Having Big ??? on This! Goverment is say It's O.K???? Hmmmmm

I trust none of it! I do NOT trust this government for anything period! Especially for a shot to put in my body????? NO WAY!!!!! Most of my family has had this flu and all are just fine. I am fine.

[snowshoe67]

Originally Posted by Unswydd

I trust none of it! I do NOT trust this government for anything period! Especially for a shot to put in my body????? NO WAY!!!!! Most of my family has had this flu and all are just fine. I am fine.

Unswydd I just Question The Goverment on this one? I belive and this is just me a Test. I just don't belive ina fast Shot! with no or not many anwsers about the whole thing,yes Facts but many Question the whole thing. My family will not get the shot, Thanks for you input.

[cowgirlup]

I think this vaccine is a desperate attempt to control this flu and make it seem like they are doing something. They have clearly said it is still experimental. I would rather take my chances than be a test subject.

[Herbalpagan]

Originally Posted by crazydave

just out of curiosity are these vaccinations free or subsidised like in proper countries or full price like in a capitalist utopia?

What did you mean "proper country"? oh wait, you mean as opposed to some socialist/sheeple filled country?