Flu Outbreak in Mexico

[Scrooge]

Dear lord, it looks like the British public are running Princess as well.

Needless to say I am not a happy boy right now, from the looks of things we will be doing the Catalina, San Diego and Ensanda run, something that cost oh $350pp normally, I am happy to say that we paid something like 5 times that [}:)]

[Darren Wheeler]

quote:Originally posted by honey lamb


Doncha just love the media? [:w]


And that is were the problem lies. Read the raw data and it's a bit different story.

Outside of Mexico:
90 laboratory confirmed cases
0 deaths.
Those affected are reported to have 'mild sysmptoms' and are recovering well.

Inside Mexico
172 laboratory confirmed cases
152 deaths, 26 where the virus has been confirmed present.

Hardly the end of life that some media sources are claiming.[ii]

[honey lamb]

It has just been announced that the four tests for swine flu here are negative. So much for the terror!!

Im hiding beneath the bed as we speak, because we all know it can't get me there.
Its depressing really to see how many people go crazy and panic over some sensationalist headlines, I mean, people have started wearing masks now (which actually makes it worse, not better).
If it will make my flight to SFo a little emptier in June, oh well.

kev.

Start wearing that old holiday sombrero to work - the tube/bus journey will suddenly become much more comfortable![:w]

I kid you not, I've just seen CNN's medical expert running computer models showing the a map of the US turning from green to red over the coming weeks, like something straight out of the movie 'outbreak'.

Either that or everyone's turning republican....

nibbs

[Darren Wheeler]

quote:Originally posted by nibbs
I kid you not, I've just seen CNN's medical expert running computer models showing the a map of the US turning from green to red over the coming weeks, like something straight out of the movie 'outbreak'.

Either that or everyone's turning republican....

nibbs


Red you say? Must be a communist plot.

Can Sarah Palin see Mexico from her house?

[Scrooge]

quote:Originally posted by tontybear
Can Sarah Palin see Mexico from her house?


[oo]

Disney in a fortnight... expecting it to be half empty.
also toying with the idea of sprinkling cat hair over mrs nh, so she starts sneezing, in turn clearing the queues, better than any fastpass!

Miami in about 20 days... Hopefully everything will be ok to depart then!

Flying this weekend en-route to Yellowstone.
Just hope the FCO don't advise against USA travel - that would mean no insurance cover!

quote:Originally posted by Bill S
Flying this weekend en-route to Yellowstone.
Just hope the FCO don't advise against USA travel - that would mean no insurance cover!


I hope so too as my boy is off for a long awaited trip with friends - it would, I fear, break his heart.

That said, the message from the WHO was that because of its spread there wasn't much use in a no travel advisory as it would be no travel anywhere...

Paul

We leave today to Vegas via Newark.
We are going regardless!

[Scrooge]

Well here's what is happening with us.

Instead of Mexico with the sun we are heding to San Diego, Santa barbara and San fran.

Which is great except the majority of the people in our group live in San Diego, LA and Santa Barbara.

While all other cruise lines have allowed pax to cancel or change their cruise dates Princess has said no to both requests.

Which of course means this will be our last Princess cruise.

[Darren Wheeler]

Personally, I'm not worried and still plan on going.

I does seem that organisations such as WHO are not exactly providing reassurance. 'It really is the whole of humanity that is under threat in a pandemic.' [ii]

If the purveyors of doom are to be believed; we are almost all going to it eventually; the virus is going to get worse as it develops and it will become resistant to antivirals.
Which leads one to conclude it is better to get it now while it is still mild.

Most accounts suggest it is little different from any other flu so should be of little concern - But travel without insurance does seem too great a risk - so the FCO advice could be critical.

[Darren Wheeler]

Just checked my insurance policy and it states it's not valid where the FCO advise again 'All Travel.' So that reads like 'unless essential is covered'.

I bet they would still try and weasle out of it Darren.
I have an ongoing insurance claim for some damaged to my roof which in turm damaged my conservatory.
Despite having a report that says we had winds in excess of 70 kph in the week running up to the incident they are claiming that it does not constitute storm damage!

Anyway I am digressing away from the topic.

The media are making this a lot worse than it actually is.
Sensible precautions are called for thats all!
Use a clean tissue/hanky, wash your hands etc...

[buns]

The real trouble here is that it has become a media feeding frenzy[V]

This leaves Governments little opportunity but to react to 'public concern' and put in place all manner of plans which ultimately only serve to confuse the matter further.

Take masks for example - scientific research has clearly shown that they do absolutely nothing to prevent you catching the flu, yet our TV screens are bombarded with images of masks being handed out in Mexico, so everyone is now clamouring for them over here and the Government is ordering more masks[:0]

If previous pandemics are anything to go by, this first phase will be less dangerous that subsequent phases and that is when the real problems will start to occur.

buns

Buns

the masks are for NHS staff to use when treating flu riddled patients not the general public

[buns]

quote:Originally posted by tontybear
Buns

the masks are for NHS staff to use when treating flu riddled patients not the general public


I do know that, but the clamour from other public service workers is increasing and this will slowly, but surely, percolate to the general public who have seen the images and not be aware that the masks once worn and become moist are a greater danger

buns

Also note this...

Originally there were 20 deaths confirms from the 150+ or so. Over the past day it's dropped down to 9, then 8. Add the only other death in US, and that's 9 worldwide confirmed. The other confirmed cases worldwide, patients are recovering, and some in UK are being let out of hospital.

Yes it is serious, but the media are blowing it out of all proportion (and I work for one of the biggest media companies in the uk) and the WHO aren't helping matters at all either... If a pandemic really does happen, I really do blame the media and leaders over at WHO for creating a panic storm ahead of time.

Also, a lot of what has happened can be treated/contained by proper hygiene, washing hands etc. If anything, this whole thing will help the future and horrible people who pick their nose and whip it on seats (I've seen it happen on trains) wise up

And yes, masks are effective for only a certain time period. And if they get wet/damp, they are actually worse than wearing no mask...

[Darren Wheeler]

The media are the cause of the anxiety going round. Every reported case is analysed to the nth degree with very little actual facts going with it.

It doesn't help continually comparing it to the 1918 'Spanish 'flu' either. That was 90 years ago, our knowledge of viruses was much poorer then and even a cold could kill you.

[Scrooge]

In reply to Darren

http://doihavetheswineflu.com/