Some facts about H1N1/Influenza A

Hey there, peoples. I came across some facts about this H1N1 virus and I though I'd share. It's from the Barbados GIS website here

Remember to take all the necessary precautions so we can prevent this virus from spreading!

How do people become infected with Influenza A (H1N1)?
Influenza A (H1N1) is caused by a virus, similar to the common cold or the virus that causes regular influenza, but this is a new type of virus. Outbreaks in humans are now occurring from human-to-human transmission.

When infected people cough or sneeze, infected droplets get on their hands, drop onto surfaces, or are dispersed into the air. Another person can breathe in contaminated air, or touch infected hands or surfaces, and be exposed. To prevent spread, people should cover their mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing, and wash their hands regularly.

What are the signs and symptoms of infection?

Early signs of influenza A (H1N1) are flu-like, including fever, cough, headache, muscle and joint pain, sore throat and runny nose, and sometimes vomiting or diarrhoea. There must be a travel history to affected countries within 7 to 10 days or contact with someone with symptoms who has traveled to an affected country

How can you prevent the spread of H1N1?

The most effective way to prevent and control the spread of this respiratory illness is through general hygiene measures:

Cover your mouth and nose with disposable tissues when coughing and sneezing, and dispose of the used tissues properly.
Wash your hands with soap and water often and thoroughly, especially after coughing or sneezing. An alcohol based hand sanitizer gel can also be effective.
Keep your hands away from your eyes, nose and mouth, as the virus can enter your body this way.
In addition, using a nutritious diet, managing stress and getting adequate exercise are recommended measures for maintaining or boosting natural resistance to infections.
Persons traveling from affected regions and having symptoms should seek medical attention from a doctor and report to public health authorities if instructed. Persons with mild symptoms may be advised to stay at home and limit contact with others in order to control the spread of the infection.

Do Healthy People Need Masks?

No! The current recommendation from the World Health Organisation (W.H.O) is that masks should not be used as a prevention measure for healthy persons. The general use of masks may provide a false sense of security and it is likely that they will be used incorrectly. The prevention measures outlined above are more effective in preventing spread in the general population. Masks may be used by ill persons if they have to be out in public.

What is the treatment for persons affected by H1N1?

Treatment will depend on the severity of the symptoms. For mild cases the normal measures that could be used for any influenza will be employed. These may include increased fluids, rest, and medication for pain, fever and other symptoms e.g. paracetamol. For moderate to severe cases medical attention must be sought. The doctor may prescribe antiviral medication, antibiotics and other treatments according to the specific needs of the patient. Protocols have been put in place for the use of antiviral medication. Please note that depending on the severity of the illness, hospitalization will be necessary.

Is it safe to travel?

W.H.O. is not recommending travel restrictions related to the outbreak of the influenza A (H1N1) virus, but persons will need to exercise caution if travelling to highly affected areas. Today, international travel moves rapidly, with large numbers of individuals visiting various parts of the world. Limiting travel and imposing travel restrictions would have very little effect on stopping the virus from spreading, but would be highly disruptive to the global community.

What should I do if I think I have the illness?

If you feel unwell, have high fever, cough or sore throat:

Stay at home and keep away from work, school or crowds.
Rest and take plenty of fluids.
Cover your mouth and nose with disposable tissues when coughing and sneezing, and dispose of the used tissues properly.
Wash your hands with soap and water often and thoroughly, especially after coughing or sneezing.
Seek the advice of your health care provider.

Adapted from World Health Organization
Fact Sheet on Influenza A (H1N1)

Barbados records first case of H1N1 influenza virus

Hi, peoples. Word just hit the streets that Barbados has recorded its first case of the dreaded H1N1 virus. I understand that the individual, a young man, is quarantined at home and the health authorities are urging residents not to panic and take the necessary precautions.

Here's the full statement delivered by the Acting Minister of Health, Sen. Irene Saniford-Garner, about an hour ago:

Statement by the Ministry of Health
Update on Influenza A H1N1
As you know, over the last eight (8) weeks, an increasing number of countries throughout the world have been experiencing outbreaks of a new type of influenza.

In response, the Government of Barbados has been proactive and undertook preparatory measures in anticipation of the possibility that this condition could reach our shores. The Ministry of Health wishes to inform the public that based on testing conducted by the laboratory of the Caribbean Epidemiology Research Centre (CAREC), Barbados has now recorded its first confirmed case of Influenza A H1N1 2009.

Members of the public are urged to remain calm and to note that our Public Health Officials will continue to undertake all protective measures as are needed at this time. You are reminded that simple measures, e.g. covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, along with proper disposal of tissues and thorough hand washing are the most effective measures for preventing the spread of respiratory infections. You should also avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands, as the virus may enter your body this way.

Persons with respiratory type illness consisting of cough, fever, shortness of breadth and malaise should stay away from school or work and avoid going out in public or public places.

Influenza A H1N1 2009 is a viral illness that can be easily transmitted from person to person, but most persons who become ill with this condition are likely to experience only mild forms of illness. The symptoms of this condition are similar to regular influenza and include: fever, chills, cough, stuffy nose, headache, fatigue, sore throat, body aches and sometimes vomiting and diarrhea.

If you are ill with flu-like symptoms and especially if you have travelled to an area that is affected by Influenza A H1N1, have been in close contact with someone who travelled and was ill, or someone who was diagnosed with Influenza A H1N1, you should seek medical advice. Persons experiencing mild symptoms are encouraged to have adequate fluids and rest and may use over-the-counter medications such as Paracetamol / Panadol / Tylenol for relief of pain and fever.

If you are pregnant or suffer with certain chronic conditions, you may be at greater risk of complications and should call your health care provider for medical advice. These include asthma and other lung conditions, heart disease, diabetes and impairment of the immune system. If persons develop difficulty breathing, mental confusion or worsening symptoms, immediate medical attention should be sought.

The Ministry of Health will give regular updates and as the situation warrants. For additional information about Influenza A H1 N1 call the Ministry of Health’s hotline at: 436-2437 or 436-2444.

It was only a matter of time before the virus landed on our doorstep. The world is a very small place when it comes to viral infections; people are on the move for holidays and work on a daily basis.

I'll keep you up to date on what's happening here. All the departments and agencies Ministries involved have done the drills, but this is the real scenario here now.

Thor News

That's right folks, it's time to start geekgasming about one of the next Super Hero movie, "THOR".

First of all, it's being directed by Kenneth Branagh who we all know from his Shakespearean boxoffice BOMBS, so it should have a heavy tone worthy of Norse mythology.

The God of Thunder himself, Thor, will be played by Chris Hemsworth.

Like me, you are probably asking "WHO THE FUCK IS CHRIS HEMSWORTH??"



Sorry. I was using my outside voice for a minute.

Did you see "Star Trek" last month? If you are visiting my blog you probably did. Chris Hemsworth played George Kirk. James Kirk's father.



Thor's brother and nemesis, the trickster god Loki, will be played by Tom Hiddleston.

I don't know jack shit about him, but there is something about his face. I can totally see him as the mischievous and evil Loki.



But by far the most exciting (but still unconfirmed) casting news is the HAWESOME Brian Blessed as Thor's father, Odin!




Expect more news as it becomes available!

Gay Pride Festival

I'll be taking my daughter and her friend to this. By her request.

Because my daughter, her friend and I have friends and family members who are gay and we support their quest for equal rights.

I keep hearing a lot from the Right about "traditional marriage". Some nonsense about "one man, one woman".

Can some of you biblical scholars cite me some (any) biblical references where God or Jesus state this to be the definition of "marriage"?



I'll save you some time and effort. No. You can't. So STFU.

Nothing in the 10 Commandments about "gay" marriage.

Not one, single quote anywhere in The New Testament from Jesus defining marriage as being between "one man and one woman".

Never happened.

Marriage is a civil, legal, construct defined by laws passed by humans.

It can be sanctioned by a religious body if the couple chooses, but it's not a legal requirement. It's just window dressing for people of faith.

Secular laws define marriage and the legal rights and privileges derived thereof.

The Assasination of Dr. George Tiller

Today, a 67 year old physician in Kansas was gunned down on his way to church.

"Wichita television station KAKE-TV reported that police were looking for a blue Ford Taurus with a K-State vanity plate, license number 225 BAB. Police described him as a white male in his 50s or 60s, 6 feet 1 inch tall, 220 pounds, wearing a white shirt and dark pants."

Using the license plate information, the Wichita police were able to get a picture of the suspect from the Kansas Department of Motor Vehicles.

An Ongoing Conversation

This started out as a comment on a previous post, but in my usual verbose manner, I exceeded the length limit for a comment.

That was a first!

So my response to one of my commentors has to become a post in its own right. Here it is:

*****

Hey Jo Joe - Thanks for stopping by.

You might notice some differences from what you're used to.

For instance, I'm not going to delete any of your posts.

The fact that you don't agree with me poses no threat to me. Your opinions aren't anything I feel compelled to protect my visitors from.

In the best American tradition, my visitors are free to come here and say whatever they want. I enjoy a lively discussion.

Now, point by point:

#1 You haven't been banned. Some of your ugly, offensive comments have been deleted.

The only reason I am not actually "banned" in the traditional definition of denying access is because blogger doesn't allow you a technological means of doing so.

But when you say "You are hereby permanently disinvited to this blog for two irrevocable reasons: 1) You are crass and slimy and 2) I don't want you here...ALL future correspondence from you will be deleted...period."

That's pretty much banning me for all practical purposes.

But again, you are free to come into my home and say whatever you like. And you always will be. You are not a threat to me. Why do you view me as such a threat to you?

#2 You don't have the facts, but that does not slow you or your friends down a bit...you just say what you want to say when you want to say it without regard for truth...ever.

What "facts" don't I have? Enlighten me. This is a typical Fox News tactic. Make a statement without any supporting evidence, but do so in a forceful, authoritative manner as if stating something that everyone knows is true, and then quickly "move on".

That don't make it so. What "facts" do I not have? Supply them. Educate us.

#3 I paid into the system before you were born, Social Security with my first job and Medicare since it's inception.

First of all, I'm 53 years old. If you have been paying social security taxes, which are payroll deduction taxes, since before I was born, that would make you about 70. Seriously, Jo Joe?

Second of all, you demonstrate once again that you clearly have no idea how Social Security and Medicare actually work.

You were never "paying into the system" like it was some sort of retirement account. Every dime you "paid in" was immediately paid back out to people who needed it at the time. You were participating in what you would consider to be a socialist system.

Your payments were not put in a reserve account for your future need.

You are now happily and greedily sucking from the socialist tit with no shame whatsoever.

I am paying for your your current need.

I am paying for that Social Security check you get every month.

I paid for that care you got at the first hospital.

I paid for your transportation to the fancy hospital.

I paid for the extra special care that you received there.

I paid real money out of my paycheck, from my job, to keep you alive.

And I'm OK with that. I'm glad you're still alive. I'd rather spend my money to save your life than to kill people in other countries that don't pose any threat to me.

You, on the other hand, seem to begrudge every single penny taken from you to benefit your fellow man. I don't understand how your stinginess reflects any of your Christian values.

#4 I have always done everything I can to be productive at times working 3 full time jobs.

OK. Good for you. A full time job is 8 hours a day, 5 days a week.

So 3 full time jobs is 24 hours a day, 5 days a week. Only sleeping on weekends? You want to re-characterize your productivity?

#5 I did not choose the hospital I went to. It was a long way from home and (except for the fact that it saved my life...which you obviously don't care a whit about...thank you very much for your compassion), I would not have chosen it.

I know you didn't choose it. But you also didn't say "I'm not entitled to that level of care because I can't pay for it. I refuse."

As I said before, I'm, glad you had access to life saving care. I think every American should have access to the very best health care that American science can provide.

The difference is, I'm willing to pay for your health care, but you aren't willing to pay for your fellow American's health care.

Do you, as a recent recipient of my hard earned money, not see any level of hypocrisy in your position?

#6. Your offense was your abject insensitivity to another human being's plight. Maybe you'll have one some day and someone will be insensitive to it. Thought you guys were all about sensitivity and all...guess I was wrong about that one.

Again, can you not see the hypocrisy in your own comments? You expect me to be sensitive to your health care crises while you and the rest of the right wing conservatives are completely insensitive to the health care crises faced by under-insured Americans.

You expect something from me that you aren't willing to extend to me.

#7 IBIKR: "Every post, and he posts daily." That's a lie. But you wrote it so it must be true...right?

That's between you and IBIKR. I don't have a dog in that fight.

But I hope, Jo Joe, that you see how this concept of democracy and open discourse works.

You express your ideas. I express my ideas. And people reading the exchange between us will be able to make up their own minds as to what they believe to be true.

Nothing needs to be deleted. Nobody needs to be banned from anything.

It's just a conversation. It's nothing to be afraid of.

Weekend fun: Ten tv characters I'll miss

This month tv fans bade farewell to several of their favourite shows as the regular television season came to an end. Some long-running heavy hitters like ER have ended their run, while relative newbies like Pushing Daises have been cancelled.

I don't know about you but this year I feel that too many great shows have gotten the axe. I know it's all about the ratings but judging by the way fans have been fighting to keep their shows on the air people aren't happy. Just because 10 million viewers don't tune in to watch a show every week, does that make it a failure? Thank God they reconsidered cancelling Chuck....

Anyhoo, many of my fave tv characters have been written off, in more ways than one. Here's my list of the ones I'll especially miss.


Denny Crane and Alan Shore - Boston Legal. The quirky legal drama Boston Legal had a roster of fun characters, but it was the bromance between Alan and Denny, especially during their road trips, that provided some of the shows finer moments. I thought this show would have been good for another season, but alas, no.


Sarah Connor and Cameron Phillips - Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles. It goes to show you never know what will or won't be a hit. Given the success of the Terminator movie franchise, you would have thought a tv version whould have been a sure thing with viewers. Not so, and The Sarah Connor Chronicles was cancelled.

Lena Headley's Sarah and Summer Glau's Cameron were the high points of the reasonably good show, and I'll miss their uneasy "mother-daughter" relationship.


Tasha Mack - The Game. I know Derwin and Melanie are the stars of the show, but I'll miss the sassy, tough-talking Tasha Mack (played by Wendy Raquel Robinson on far left) the most. Even though The Game has been cancelled by the CW network, talks are on to parlay the comedy into an hour long dramady, possibly on BET. I'll be watching.


Rochelle, Julius and Chris - Everybody Hates Chris. It's not often black families are portrayed on tv, and positive black familes, even less. Although Chris and his family were far from the Cosbys, you had to love his mother's don't-mess-with-me attitude and his father's cheapness. Oh yeah and Chris was pretty cool, too.


Vic Mackey - The Shield. After seven seasons on FX, the gritty cop drama The Shield has come to an end. Although Michael Chiklis' Vic Mackey was a corrupt, twisted soul, the character was such a work of art I can't help but give him props. Mackey has left the Barn.


Michael Scofield - Prison Break. SPOILER ALERT!!! Whether you called him Fish, Pretty, Papi or Michael, the resident engineering genius on the hit show Prison Break will be universally missed. Thousands of fans were on twitter and various blogs crying their eyes out because he died in the season finale, denying him his deserved happy ending. But never fear, Scofield and the rest of the gang will be back in a DVD movie coming out in July.

Until then, thanks for the memories, Scofield.