Swine flu: What's in the news today
Swine flu has hospitalized 396 Michigan residents, claimed the lives of 17 people and sickened scores as demand exceeds supply for the H1N1 vaccine, the Detroit News reports today.
As AnnArbor.com reported today, sicknesses in Washtenaw County also are rising. The number of kids out sick due to flu-like illness - largely boosted by swine flu - nearly doubled late last month, according to county health department statistics.
The rising level of illness has some hospitals and schools taking action to curb the spread of the flu.
The University of Michigan and St. Joseph Mercy Health System hospitals today announced new rules for visitors to the hospitals during flu season.
The Los Angeles Times has a comprehensive look at what's happening around the world as the flu spreads. Ukraine appears to be hardest hit, and the country announced today that all schools will be closed for the next week, The Associated Press reported.
What can you do to prevent swine flu and find out more?Â
U.S. News & World Report offers tips for parents and schools to keep children healthy and engaged in their learning. The Chicago Tribune offered some answers today to swine flu questions, similar to AnnArbor.com's top 10 questions about the swine flu published last week.
The Associated Press also had a story yesterday worth pointing out - the dilemma faced by many employees who don't get paid when they don't show up for work. Call in sick or go to work anyway?
Finally, in a bit of swine flu business news, The Clorox Co. earn 23 percent more in the first quarter this year than last - bolstered in part by shoppers who rushed to stock up on disinfectants, The Associated Press reported.
Swine flu clinic:
Don't forget: Washtenaw County's second mass H1N1 vaccination clinic is Thursday. A total of 4,000 vaccinations will be available at the clinic, rather than 1,000 like the first clinic. It will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the convocation center at 799 North Hewitt Road in Ypsilanti.
AnnArbor.com will offer a look each day at the top H1N1 stories from around the nation and closer to home. If you see stories worth pointing out or have questions, please e-mail health reporter Tina Reed at tinareed@annarbor.com or comment below.
Comments
Rork Kuick
Thu, Nov 5, 2009 : 11:10 a.m.
I already hate myself for biting. The government is not forcing anyone to be vaccinated. Food is foreign and contains toxins. Some people said the polio vaccine was a plot too. Folks in health care have been concerned for years of newly emerging transmitted diseases - we expect something very bad to happen, its just a question of exactly what and when. The 1918 epidemic is not a fable. With fast world-wide travel we can spread things better, and there is far more opportunity of creating new things. Early indications from Mexico were cause for concern. WHO reacted properly when it was clear the virus transmits easy, and was widespread, so if it was as deadly as early indications hinted, we might have been in serious trouble. New more virulent variants of H1N1 appearing was and still is of concern. So far so good. For the conspiracy, creating fear about H1N1 just doesn't win you much cause it's not political enough - we do not need to reelect anyone to continue some struggle of culture or ideas. New wars work much better, but U.S. population may be immune to that for a few more years. I don't think I or others are really even listening to what "the government" is saying. Finally, scientists are harder to herd than cats. It'd be counter-productive to try to organize them, and you'd have insufficient incentives. There'd be rebels all over the place (and I'm not talking about the no-research salesmen docs with websites).
LGChelsea
Wed, Nov 4, 2009 : 12:23 a.m.
If I remember correctly, it's the right wingnuts who are guilty of fearmongering: death panels, killing babies and grannies, WMD, on and on and on...Prove to me that the hundreds of people who are hospitalized and dead because of this flu are NOT in the hospital or dead!
Rork Kuick
Tue, Nov 3, 2009 : 11:11 a.m.
I did not think Amalie Nash's article was hype. Pretty info-dense mostly. The brasscheck tv video is old - yes, there were not that many H1N1 cases in July (but there was allot of testing to check). The greatest "hype" is from people trying to argue this is a scam. A brief look at the text on the brasscheck link given by GoBlu is proof enough of that - outlandish claims with no backup. The internet is one reason junk information propagates much better than it used to. It sometimes sounds like CDC is a slave of "the government", when I think it's mostly just a bunch of accomplished and nerdy epidemiologists doing the best they can with limited information and without crystal balls, and who will get slammed if the response is too little or too big. I do think some people are over-reacting though, but it's both about the danger of H1N1, and the possibilities of a "scam".
jlkddd
Tue, Nov 3, 2009 : 10:35 a.m.
I think it's funny that Allegiance Health in Jackson, considered nothing compared to UofM and St. Joe's changed their visiting restrictions 3 weeks ago. Also, they have offered the vaccine to EVERY staff member. I say, better safe then sorry.
Cash
Tue, Nov 3, 2009 : 9:46 a.m.
I was almost convinced that people 65 and older didn't need the vaccine, as the media has presented the case. Then this morning I saw the age of the H1N1 flu deaths in Michigan ranged up to 72 years old. Hard to convince that 72 yr old person that they need not worry.
LGChelsea
Mon, Nov 2, 2009 : 10:35 p.m.
GoBlu--Sounds like something Glenn Beck dreamed up. Thanks, but no thanks. I'll listen to my doctor, instead.
AAW
Mon, Nov 2, 2009 : 6:28 p.m.
Families just need to use the BRAIN that God gave us and if we are sick or a child is sick stay home for pete's sake. Just use your brain.
dotdash
Mon, Nov 2, 2009 : 6:24 p.m.
It seems to be: http://www.aaps.k12.mi.us/aaps.forparents/especially_for_parents then you click on the "moodle icon" and then your child's grade and login as a guest and there are enrollment keys to enter depending on the grade.
dotdash
Mon, Nov 2, 2009 : 6:16 p.m.
I got a letter from the public school giving me information on a website that my children and I could use to keep up on school work "in the event we must close a school and/or your child should be absent for an extended time". We may all be home-schooling at some point, I guess! Good thing someone is thinking ahead.