Preparing for Swine Flu, or ...

[ata]

Hello All:

Most of you are probably watching the Swine Flu pandemic unfold along with the rest of us in the world neighborhood. It's confusing everyone, from the top health organizations to the kitchen coffee klatch. It's always hard to know how much, or even if, to worry at times like these.

Statistically, we're all pretty safe. That said, it couldn't hurt to get some information and take some extra precautions, particularly now that folks are returning from vacation and visitors are showing up in our communities from points around the globe.

In that spirit, I've taken the liberty of consolidating a few websites that might be of interest as you ponder the situation at hand.

The last link may seem a bit extreme, but it's not about pandemics so much as something I want to make you aware of and hope you will seriously consider doing - for you and your family - no matter what. Ah heck, throw in some extra handwashing and an emergency kit for good measure.=)

Come on, read on...what's the worst that could happen? We might all be a little healthier and better prepared for other unforeseen events, right?

There you have it... my collective, "I love ya wo/man" for the day. I worry about y'all, so please keep safe.

Valetudo (Good Health)!

Dale, ATA
*******************************
Water, air, and cleanliness are the chief articles in my pharmacopoeia.
*** Napoleon Bonaparte

Number one thing YOU can do to help maintain personal/public health = Improve Hand Hygiene

Read: http://www.who.int/gpsc/tools/Five_mome ... index.html

Watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlDqcmY_ ... r_embedded

SWINE FLU UPDATES

World Health Organization (WHO)
http://www.who.int/en/

Center for Disease Control (CDC)
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/?s_cid=swin ... tbreak_001
http://www.pandemicflu.gov/

Things YOU Can Do

Get Informed / Assess Your Risk

http://www.redcross.org/www-files/Docum ... cklist.pdf

Prevention

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/habits.h ... ternal_003

http://www.redcross.org/portal/site/en/ ... f0870aRCRD

Emergency Preparedness Kit

http://www.redcross.org/portal/site/en/ ... rchannel=1

Family Preparedness

http://www.hss.state.ak.us/dph/director/living_will/

Good health makes the worst weather to be the loveliest.
***Leonid S. Sukhorukov

[Jon]

Wikipedia has this article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_swine_flu_outbreak

There are actually only 7 confirmed deaths in Mexico, and 1 Mexican who died in the US. There were 91 confirmed cases in the US, most mild, and no US citizens have died.

Thousands die every year of the flu in every country. This is total media hyped nonsense.

[ata]

Hi Jon...

As you can see, I didn't mention anything about the stats that are being bantied about - and most reports seem to be discussing 'reported' versus 'confirmed'. And, true, flu is an annual event and people die - sometimes quite a few. However, you don't often see WHO and CDC hype the issue - they're used to flu bugs. Perhaps this is one of those rare cases, but I think not. This flu has a few unique features that are putting the governments on edge. That said, I think the WHO official who is stressing confirmed versus suspected deaths of the virus also makes an excellent point in the following article when she states, "... it's not a time for worry. It's a time to be prepared." http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/2372751/Only-seven-confirmed-swine-flu-deaths-WHO

My life before fish was in the medical field - pharmacy/OR/ambulance. I don't like hype and am not overly concerned about this virus, but have talked to a few folks who have questions and obviously many goverments are moving to act. So, I figured why not spread some information and reminders on prevention? Maybe it will help a few in our fleet from missing some fishing time due to any number of common bugs.

As for emergency preparedness kits and stores...I hope everyone in Alaska has them. We are prone to earthquakes and other natural events. Living wills, same thing. First hand experience tells me that all of those things serve important purposes for individuals and families.

Again, just taking the time to provide a gentle reminder and in no way meant to cause alarm or debate.

g'Day!

[Jon]

Yes, I guess I was a little too brash in my first comment, you do have a lot of good information, and I see now that you weren't trying to increase the hype. I was just thinking to myself.. 'oh no, even salmon trolling is infected with the flu-hype now'...

[ata]

Oh Jon, PUHLEEZ... I am far too busy for that and have any number of other things to hype for the fleet.

The sun is glorious! y'All best get that boat work done - there's fish to be caught....somewhere.

Rock on.

dk