Home › Forums › Open Discussion › Swine Flu is upon us
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April 30, 2009 at 4:55 pm #590689
CallMeAlMemberHeard word this morning at the West Seattle Food Bank of our first West Seattle swine flu case -diagnosed by Harborview doctors.
April 30, 2009 at 5:13 pm #665555
WSBKeymasterWhat more did you hear about this, and from whom? How did they hear it? It’s really important that we not spread rumors with something as currently sensitive and concerning as this.
I spoke with public health authorities late last night to ask about additional location information on the two patients identified only as “Seattle.” They were adamant that at this point, no further location beyond “city level” will be released. That could always change, but as of right now, it has not.
I have a message out to the Food Bank’s director, but she’s not in yet. I will check with King County Public Health again, but once more, there is NO such OFFICIAL report at this point. Also important to note, local doctors cannot diagnose swine flu. They can diagnose a suspected or probable case. Right now the only lab — this was discussed at last night’s news conference — that can CONFIRM it is the CDC (federal).
April 30, 2009 at 5:37 pm #665556
AdamOnAlkiParticipantAre we all going to die? Because my cousin says that we are all going to die. And he went to SSCC.
April 30, 2009 at 6:14 pm #665557
miwsParticipantI don’t know if Al is talking about the same announcement that I heard at the Food Bank, but one of the volunteers/workers made a general announcement mentioning the incidents in the WA State, and instructing people to stay away from the FB if they have any symptoms, and either get a non-affected person to pick up for them, or call to see if other arrangements can be made.
He also gave the common info of covering coughs and sneezes, and frequent hand washing.
Mike
April 30, 2009 at 6:26 pm #665558
PatrickKeymasterThanks for the follow through Mike.
April 30, 2009 at 6:33 pm #665559
AnonymousInactiveAdam this is serious business. Please don’t make a joke about it.
Thanks WSB and mike for the clarification. Good thing I stocked up on hand wipes and sanitizer for the kids. Appreciate all the great work you do.
April 30, 2009 at 6:35 pm #665560
miwsParticipantApril 30, 2009 at 7:02 pm #665561
AdamOnAlkiParticipantHere is a great informational link I found that has a lot of answers:
Check it out!
April 30, 2009 at 7:10 pm #665562
JanSParticipantAdam, I realize what you’re saying…that while this has serious implications, we shouldn’t panic, nor spread rumors of what we heard from so-and-so on the bus, in line, wherever. Some people may not get your humor on here, and will definitely let you know aobut it, I’m sure.
In the meantime, folks, common sense is a good thing :)
April 30, 2009 at 7:18 pm #665563
AnonymousInactiveAdam with all the concern about this possibly very serious health issue I don’t understand why youre making jokes like this. I have little kids and am very worried about this so please be polite and stop making jokes on this subject.
April 30, 2009 at 7:19 pm #665564
WSBKeymasterTo be really clear:
I talked to director Fran Yeatts at the Food Bank a short time ago.
What was announced this morning is WHAT MIKE SAID. ****NOT**** a WS case. Just the fact that the first Seattle cases had been announced and so everybody remember to wash up, etc.
As news happens during the day, we are adding it here:
April 30, 2009 at 7:56 pm #665565
CallMeAlMemberi just returned from the drugstore nonetheless. am stockpiling surgical masks.
April 30, 2009 at 8:25 pm #665566
trensuelaMemberSurgical masks are a good idea. In Korea during the winter months the people wore them everywhere. I just wish they would make them in cooler colors.
April 30, 2009 at 8:30 pm #665567
CallMeAlMemberor even eco-friendly ones, being West Seattle and all. Recycled materials would be swell.
April 30, 2009 at 8:38 pm #665568
charlabobParticipantA member of Obama’s security force and his family (who traveled with Obama to Mexico) is suspected of having swine flu.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30503293/
If you want to learn more about how we got here, google Smithfield Ham + Swine Flu. :-)
April 30, 2009 at 8:54 pm #665569
RSMemberRock on Adam. I’m way more afraid of getting regular flu, hit by a car, laid off, audited, etc. However, I did just get a tetanus shot, so I can grab at rusty nails with impunity now. What a relief.
Charla, I LOVE Smithfield and I absolutely refuse to look at that site. Me, my country ham sandwich, and my denial are doing just fine. :)
April 30, 2009 at 9:07 pm #665570
WSBKeymasterAnother fact check here.
Authorities in briefings yesterday reiterated: Masks are primarily of value for keeping infected people from spreading the virus, NOT for keeping you from getting it.
April 30, 2009 at 9:10 pm #665571
JanSParticipantand…you can’t get it from eating bacon…or kissing a pig :) (guess I should qualify that….it depends on the pig)
April 30, 2009 at 9:20 pm #665572
AnonymousInactivethanks lowmanbeach for keeping this thread factual. I am suprised about all the jokes.
April 30, 2009 at 9:29 pm #665573
JanSParticipantNaturalmom…we all realize that this has the POTENTIAL for being something serious, but, we also realize that perspective is needed. There are actually people in the United States who believe that you can get “swine flu” from eating pork products, and hanging out with pigs that are not ill themselves. So while what I said may sound like a joke to you, it’s actually the truth ( no comment about getting whatever from a human pig). We talk about bacon on here often, so I just added a little levity.
I don’t live in fear about it. I pay attention to the latest news, and I act accordingly. I don’t rush out and buy up all the face masks, or demand Tamiflu from my doc as some do…that just adds to the misinformation and panic. I work with people, with bodies, and I wash my hands umpteen times a day, and make sure that clients who feel ill don’t come see me. We all just need to use common sense.
I didn’t mean to offend…sorry…
April 30, 2009 at 10:14 pm #665574
kellymParticipantin the immortal words of jimmy buffett…..if we couldn’t laugh we would all go insane
April 30, 2009 at 10:22 pm #665575
BayouMemberI wasn’t worried about it at all until I realized that a co-workers kid goes to that school in Madrona that’s now on lockdown. So, yeah, now I wish I had some Tamiflu stockpiled! If it’s such a miracle drug, why can’t we get it OTC anyways? They’d be making a killing right now in the midst of the media panic.
April 30, 2009 at 10:38 pm #665576
flowerpetalMemberBayou I love you like my best pair of shoes… but Madronna is not in lockdown; it is simply closed for a week. Words are powerful and the space between those two words is a chasm.
April 30, 2009 at 10:45 pm #665577
BayouMemberSorry if that sounded overly dramatic, flowerpetal. I just meant the doors are locked, school is closed. Granted, this is a PRECAUTIONARY measure and if I understand correctly the cases in our area have not even been confirmed at this time.
April 30, 2009 at 10:48 pm #665578
datamuseParticipantI’m just fascinated because this is the closest we’ve ever come to watching the spread of a pathogen in real time. Panic, not so much. (But we all should have emergency supplies anyway, since we do, y’know, live in a seismically active area. And if people have to be told to wash their hands and sneeze into a tissue…bah.)
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