Are you concerned that swine flu may spread to your community?

[keep_it_real]

Are you concerned that swine flu may spread to your community?
Yes 56% 24287
No 44% 18810
Total Votes: 43097

http://www.cnn.com/

[aquart]

1. Already has.

[Danger Mouse]

2. I'm starting to worry more about the panic this could cause than the disease itself.

If the virus becomes epidemic, there could be a lot of heightened xenophobia...

[madrchsod]

3. nope..we started building check points yesterday

[NeedleCast]

4. People are Stupid

CNN confirms this regularly.

[depakid]

6. LOL. CNN encourages it daily.

[NeedleCast]

20. While Funny, it gives reason for concern about media induced panic

Shortly after 9/11, polls taken on several news sites showed a majority of Americans were worried or afraid of being killed in a terrorist related attack despite the chance that, worldwide, your chance of being killed in this manner is roughly one in 11.3 billion.

[depakid]

28. No doubt- the American corporate media thrives on histrionics

and due to deregulation, there are few effective methods to hold them accountable for their behavior- no matter how egregious it might be.

Probably the single greatest problem in the states- and one that effects all other problems and solutions.

[Avalux]

5. Already in my community -

18 miles away. I already discussed this with my kids and told them if there are suspected cases at their schools, they may be shut down and not be scared. Since I work in a clinic, have no idea what's going to happen tomorrow.

:hi:

[Control-Z]

12. Does your area

get as much traffic as Cal? There is so much traffic at the So Cal border that I can't imagine it won't hit hard here, if anywhere. (that is, south counties, where I live)

[Avalux]

15. I'm in San Antonio.

We had our annual Fiesta (huge city-wide party - kinda like mardi-gras) for the past 10 days. With all those crowds of people and visitors from Mexico, I am expecting we will see a lot cases.

[Control-Z]

19. Ooh - that is not good.

Could the timing be any worse? Take good care of yourselves.

[Avalux]

22. Uh-oh. Local news just now. 14 schools closed - more cases suspected.

Classes Canceled At SCUCISD This Week Due To Swine Flu
Extracurricular Activities Also Called Off

POSTED: Sunday, April 26, 2009
UPDATED: 4:33 pm CDT April 26, 2009
SAN ANTONIO -- The Texas Department of State Health Services on Sunday announced that all 14 schools and district facilities in the Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City Independent School District will be closed effective immediately after several more flu-like illnesses have been discovered in the department's ongoing swine flu investigation.

The closure will be in effect for at least a week.

The announcement comes one day after health officials announced the closure of Steele High School, where two students contracted the disease and a third case was pending.

All extracurricular activities also were cancelled.

http://www.ksat.com/health/19295627/detail.html#-

[Control-Z]

35. Since I have kids,

I'd rather see the schools closed sooner than later - as soon as there is good reason.

[Control-Z]

7. You forgot to tell us

how you voted.

I voted yes.

Yes 56% 24513
No 44% 19004
Total Votes: 43517

I'm very close to the border and would be a fool to not be concerned. I'm not panicked, but I am keeping watch, and I'm going to stock up on food and necessities today.

[Warpy]

8. I'm in a border state

so I'd be shocked to find out it isn't here already.

[janx]

31. Same here, Warpy.

:hi:

And coincidentally, I've been laid up with flu for the last three days. It's a bummer because this weekend has shown such beautiful weather.

[EFerrari]

9. It will. I hope it's not too bad because I don't have a doctor

and will not go sit for 20 hours at the ER.

[HamdenRice]

10. I'm in Queens, NYC where it has spread to a prep school, so yes I'm worried. nt

[FarCenter]

11. Most major corporations have a "pandemic" plan from the SARS days

Typically, it calls for people to work at home, but in the most extreme cases critical employees (e.g. data center operations) are to go to work and stay there for the duration so that they are isolated from the population.

If any of these are activated by their "call out tree" systems, then it is time to worry, because the government has passed the word to major corporations to take action.

[Kittycat]

13. I'm only concerned for my son, who...

has a weakened immune system, gets sick very easily, and suffers from seizures that are particularly bad when he has a fever. We've had two hospital stays in the past 1.5mo because of illnesses that included fevers. Both of them caused my son multiple seizures where he stopped breathing and needed resuscitation assistance/CPR.

I think a person of normal health, should be cautious (washing hands, etc), but not go crazy about it - and follow whatever steps necessary if flu-like symptoms present themselves (notify doctor and seek his advice, don't just rush off to the ER where you could infect other people with whatever you have, and burden their staff unnecessarily).

[Control-Z]

16. I'll be keeping my

fingers crossed that your son is not exposed. I'm sorry to hear how he suffers when he's sick. That would be so frightening for a parent. Good luck to you and your family. Stay safe.

[readmoreoften]

14. I'm in a city near confirmed cases in Texas. Yes. I'm concerned. /nt

[rurallib]

17. I am in Iowa. We are worried shitless about catching the gays

That starts tomorrow. How could we possibly ever have time to worry about catching a killer flu?
There will be marriages falling apart all over the place around here tomorrow. In homes and schools, factories and offices. Carnage unlike any ever seen before.

[readmoreoften]

24. Tell your fellow statesmen to be worried about people like me.

If gay Texans start coming to your state to marry, you will have a rare recombinant strain of teh gay mixed with a "mexican swine virus." Sounds like a Klan pamphlet in the making--I can see it now. :crazy:

[GentryDixon]

18. My son and grandson flew to Denver yesterday for the Rockies game and

my husband is due back from North Carolina on Wednesday.

All the people they will or have been in contact with make me more than a bit nervous, as my immune system is suppressed.

[FarCenter]

21. There are about 10 times more bacteria cells in you body than human cells

So you are already outnumbered.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_flora

[stray cat]

29. Any of them Bacillus anthracis or Yersinia pestis? You need normal flora

to live but pathogens can kill you.

[newfie11]

23. No

I survived the 57 & 68 Flu. If it's coming so be it.

[Raine]

25. No

I'm not worried, I'm in CA so I'm sure it will but I think the whole thing is overblown.

[Lucian]

26. Hell no.

[stray cat]

27. It almost certainly will and flu kills tens of thousands every year

http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/f/flu/deaths.htm

Flu and pneumonia kill 20,000 - 40,000 people per year - this outbreak this time of year without any protective vacccine will also likely spread and kill people. The idea like always is to stay on the right side of the percentages.

[Brazenly Liberal]

30. Are you kidding? Peppercorn ranch dressing hasn't spread to this community yet.

On a positive note, when bell bottom pants came back, ours were still new.

[1776Forever]

32. Swine flu spreads, Ohio case confirmed - Dayton Business Journal

Sunday, April 26, 2009, 1:26pm EDT | Modified: Sunday, April 26, 2009, 1:32pm
Swine flu spreads, Ohio case confirmed
Dayton Business Journal

http://www.bizjournals.com/dayton/stories/2009/04/20/daily95.html

[northernlights]

33. no, I'm concerned it could spread to my chemistry partner

We are scheduled to produce and deliver a presentation in a week or so. She picked last week to vacation in Mexico. I'm not sure exactly when she's due back. Just hope she doesn't bring back anything with her...or leave me presenting by myself!

[pacalo]

34. I'm glad I'm aware of it, I'm concerned about it generally, but I'm going to take

the same precautions I always do whenever I've been out & about, & go on with my life as usual.

I'm not one to fold under pressure or get into a panic mode, I have to say.