Poll | 04/27/2009 12:00 am

How worried are you about swine flu?

Read more about: Government, Health, Swine Flu

122 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

Not concerned. 3,000 die everyday in the U.S. from environmental cancers alone. Drink/eat a lot of citrus. Avoid crowds. Do not touch public surfaces. Wash hands frequently for 30+ seconds and do not ever touch face with hands unless just cleaned. FYI someone sneezes in a public space without covering mouth….150 are infected including by secondary means like touching ATM machines. And NEVER set your purse down on car floor, on public places [like UGH bathroom floors], nor on your kitchen/bathroom countertops….very germy. Wash purses etc frequently. I never wear outdoor clothes/shoes indoors, either.

By Suzanne de Cornelia on 04/27/2009 12:13 am

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I agree - good advice; health is all a matter of common sense, as usual. Otherwise this is just more fear tactics from powers that be.

By Kryssi K on 04/27/2009 1:02 am

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Boxing Cat cure for Swine Flu Woes……TOOO cute! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=si4go3Hraq8

By Suzanne de Cornelia on 04/28/2009 2:51 pm

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30,000 people die from just the flu alone in America a day. This flu is mixture of swine, bird and human flu. I think that we should be aware, but not in panic mode. The young and old are most at risk, as usual.

I think that the Mexico stats should be more than a bit alarming, as they have had fatalities. This is one more issue to get the illegal immigration under control. This particular flu may be controlled, where something else may not be. It is a wake up call for our citizens to control illegal immigration.

Mexico is the main avenue for illegal drugs, terrorist, and now health dangers. It must be addressed.

By Kelly In Texas on 04/27/2009 12:13 pm

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Please take information you get on the internet with a grain of salt, especially statistics. Websites such as cdc.gov are a good resource for information. Although Kelly in Texas was well-meaning in trying to allay fears of swine flu, the statement:

30,000 people die from just the flu alone in America a day.

is factually not close to being accurate. If that were true, that would figure out to about 10 to 11 million deaths a year from flu alone.

According to CDC data from 2006, 2,426,264 people died from all causes. By order of prevelance, influenza and pneumonia were 8th on the list, well behind the leading cause of death, cardiovascular disease.

I agree with the rest of comments—wash your hands, don’t touch your face or eyes without washing your hands first, and stay home if you are ill.

Source: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr57/nvsr57_14.pdf

By Brian Carrier on 04/27/2009 2:01 pm

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Brian…so sorry…glad you caught it…

I intended to type "year" and do stand by that. I apologize to all for that typo…especially now!

By Kelly In Texas on 04/28/2009 8:37 am

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Brian, very interesting: where exactly on that list is deaths from aids??

Just asking….

By Irish Eyes NY on 04/28/2009 6:50 pm

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Oh, let’s not beat up on Mexico (and illegal immigrants) because they got hit with a flu that may well originate with an American hog farming company located in Mexico. An epidemic can start anywhere. Let’s applaud Mexico for not trying to cover it up.

From a news service: "Earlier on Monday, the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) said that the virus has characteristics of avian, human and swine virus and it is more accurate to call it the "North American Flu."

By Kat Pos on 04/27/2009 10:45 pm

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Kat….who is "beating up" on Mexico?

By mentioning that this flu has originated there, and that by recogonizing that the illegals that over run our border….come from Mexico…it seems to be common sense to address yet another danger to America from this problem.

It is the natural entry point for any terrorist. As such, it is also the perfect entry by which to spread disease to Americans via a terrorist attack. Today…the swine flu….what tomorrow? That there are laboratories full of germ that could decimate our country is not an over statement.

By Kelly In Texas on 04/28/2009 8:43 am

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Let’s applaud Mexico for not trying to cover it up. By Kat Pos on 04/27/2009 11:45 pm

Seriously now…….Like they could have covered it up if they tried…….Hell, they’re begging for Meds from us now, seems they are running out of an already minimal supply to begin with. And as for the comment regarding "An American pig farm" being the possible culprit….If the illegals contracted the virus there and "illegally came into this country and infected our people……You can rest assured, they deserve NOTHING less than an ass whooping!

By HA BIBI on 04/28/2009 9:12 am

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Some governments would try to cover up a such an outbreak, if it hurt their image or major industries, and let their people—and eventually citizens of other countries—die in the process. At this point most affected Americans got the virus during cheap vacations to Mexico and brought it back. It’s simplistic and inflammatory to suggest "illegals" are spreading or would spread the disease in the U.S.

By Kat Pos on 04/28/2009 10:43 am

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You do know Kat, that "IF" is the biggest word in the world! In other words….Highly unlikely that any country would be able to "Cover Up" a pandemic and certainly not a country that is so poor, screwed up and destitute as Mexico, which is our neighbor. AND, at this point you really do not know that Americans are the one solely responsible for bringing this flu into the states. As well, It would be ultra naive of you to assume that "No" illegals have brought this flu into our country. We have a revolving door to this country that rotates quicker than the Waldorf Astoria! Do also keep in mind, this as well as many virus’s lay dormant for 3-4 days before the infected person even begins to feel symptoms. So Jose can be infected, come here to mow someones lawn, sneeze as Mrs. Smith offers him a soda and Viola! Airborne ala king. Oh, and one more thing….Ask those Americans, if when spending their hard earned dollars towards helping a dismal economy in Mexico, if they thought their vacation was "Cheap" Here’s a hint…….NO!

By HA BIBI on 04/28/2009 11:09 am

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I agree with you Suzanne and do follow most of above, until I get tired then it all gets overwhelming and I say "—— it" we all gotta go sometime. I should exercise more.

By Connie Godin on 04/27/2009 6:45 pm

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I love your attitude! I just got back yesterday from a week long cruise down the west coast of Mexico. There weren’t any major warnings on board ship before going on shore excursions except those on CNN International, FOX, etc. I was more concerned about the TSA at LAX when they actually opened one of my medications and tested it for explosives when it clearly said what it was on the script label. It seems the TSA staff have all been trained to say the same statement to you first, while getting up in your face…’YOU appear EXTREMELY stressed…just CALM DOWN…NOTHING you say is going to stop me from doing MY job.’ I don’t know about the rest of you, but that is about the most irritating thing they could say to me while manhandling my medication with the same gloves they had on touching everyone else’s luggage. Back on point, QM and I didn’t notice symptoms of swine flu on board a ship with 3,000 passengers, and we both feel fine. CA

By C A Rose on 04/28/2009 1:38 am