Swine flu 'cannot be contained'

BBC ^ | 7/2/09

[FromLori]

The rising number of swine flu cases mean trying to contain the virus is no longer an option, the government says. Ministers said the emergency response would now move to a new "treatment" phase across the UK as there may soon be 100,000 new cases a day. It means anti-flu drugs will no longer be given to the close contacts of those infected nor will lab testing be done to confirm cases. The move has been made to relieve the pressure on the health service. The announcement, which comes into effect immediately, has long been expected. It does not mean the pandemic virus is becoming more deadly, just that it can no longer be contained.

WHAT DOES NEW PHASE MEAN? The so-called treatment phase is effectively an acknowledgement that the virus can no longer be contained Many people reporting symptoms will no longer be tested to relieve the pressure on the health service Instead, if they have uncomplicated symptoms drugs will be arranged for them and they will be told to stay at home GPs have been given the discretion not to prescribe anti-flu drugs

Swine flu vaccine in Europe When people are displaying symptoms, they should contact the NHS by phone, the government said.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Only government can save us.

Without our almighty government, we are all going to die.

[FromLori]

See also

http://news.google.com/news?pz=1&ned=us&hl=en&q=H1N1+flu

[politicalmerc]

It means that like other types of flu, common colds, and other common ailments we have to DEAL WITH IT! And NO it doesn’t take a government purchased lot of 300million vaccines to deal with it.

[The Old Hoosier]

Only the strongest 99.999 percent of us will survive!

[DoughtyOne]

Sadly, you’re right. ;-)

[DoughtyOne]

I've given up reading all the nonsensical posts on the Swine Flu, no offense intended to you for posting this BTW.

Does the article mention that hardly anyone has died from the Swine Flu.

Why this flu is getting so much attention is beyond me.  Every year 36,000 people in the U.S. die of influenza.  That gets only standard coverage, almost a non-event.

This flu has been heralded as if a population bomb, yet has killed very few people.  I just don't get it.


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[GonzoGOP]

I thought the Obamasia could heal the sick, stop the rise of the oceans, assure everyone a job and a home, and give everyone a slice of pie. Don't tell me it was all a lie. I want my pie.

[john in springfield]

Yes, it does, because without the vaccines an awful lot of people are going to die.

This is simply the nature of this threat. In this case, if government actually does something, it will save lives.

[john in springfield]

This flu has been heralded as if a population bomb, yet has killed very few people. I just don't get it.

It really doesn't matter how many people it's killed so far. The only things that matter are the death rate, what KINDS of people it kills, the inconvenience rate, the disruption rate how fast it grows and how susceptible we are to it.

We're VERY susceptible, as far as I can tell it has a higher death rate than the seasonal flu, and it kills the young and people in their prime instead of so much the elderly and infirm.

The 127 admitted deaths so far in the USA (there are more that haven't been "counted" yet) are just a drop in the bucket of the potential as it unfolds over time. You need to study and understand the exponential curve.

[politicalmerc]

Yes, it does, because without the vaccines an awful lot of people are going to die. This is simply the nature of this threat. In this case, if government actually does something, it will save lives.

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Influenza kills 40,000 people a year even with vaccines available. Swine flu has killed about 150 with cases all over the world. Further the original cases in Mexico accounted for 125 of the 150 deaths.

There is absolutely no reason for the government to pay for any vaccines. If you want one, go buy one.

[Gay State Conservative]

I’ve read that Australia,where it’s winter now,is having a serious problem with the flu right now.I wonder if that’s an indication of the problem *we’ll* have starting in,say,November or December.

[FromLori]

I think it may be and it is now killing otherwise healthy people and mutating and proving to be resistant to treatment.

[DoughtyOne]

John, when and if the Swine Flu morphs, then and only then will it be the threat some folks have been desperately trying to make it out to be.

It does matter how many people it has killed so far. 36,000 vs 127? You tell me, is that statistically significant or not?

This being the case, your “KINDS of people” comment fails. Yes, if the President on down made up the 127 people, then I suppose your point could be sound, but that’s the case during every flu season. It just doesn’t mean anything here. At least it doesn’t IMO.

We ARE NOT very susceptible. A wide swath of our population contracted the swine flu. Very few died. And as for those who did, nearly all of them were severely compromised patients when they contracted it.

Every year we see influenzas come and go. Each year they exact their toll. The swine flu population bomb didn’t pan out.

Unless it morphs and becomes something else, this flu is about as benign as a flu can be.

There is another aspect of this that some folks seem to be oblivious to. That is, “No matter how dangerous an influenza is, the general public cannot do anything much about it.” If they have been immunized, that is all they can do. And if the influenza is one that was not covered, they are helpless.

So what good does it do to inform the public that a certain influenza may be a killer, and pound on that point constantly for months on end?

[Costumed Vigilante]

I'd like to hear the "It's just the flu, people, quit over-reacting" chorus now, please.

Come fall, a mutated version of this is going to take down entire population centers.

[UCANSEE2]

This flu has been heralded as if a population bomb, yet has killed very few people. I just don't get it.

I think it's just to distract us from noticing the carpet is being pulled out from under our feet.

[UCANSEE2]

Come fall, a mutated version of this is going to take down entire population centers.

If so, then stopping it is like the GW claim that they can control the average temperature of the Earth.

If it's going to be, then what is your 'answer' to fixing or solving it?

[DoughtyOne]

I think it’s just one more thing, along the lines of what you mentioned. There are a number of side issues sucking up all the oxygen in the room these days. M.J. for one.

[UCANSEE2]

Thanks for posting the article.

---

So, if you get the flu, stay home. Call on the phone for meds, but what ever you do, don’t come to the hospital or the doctor’s office.

And they can deny you meds. Keep new infections down, and get rid of the infected.

Socialized health care is wonderful.

[Costumed Vigilante]

If it's going to be, then what is your 'answer' to fixing or solving it?

1) Lots of vitamin D3 (not D4)
2) Lots of AHCC
3) Lots of Echinacea
4) Lots of vitamin C
5) Lots of zinc
6) N95 masks
7) Work at home if possible (stay out of air-circulating buildings)

These precautions will massively decrease your personal likelihood of contracting the new contagion.