Deadly Swine Flu Outbreak

[sweetwater]

Texas just went under under statewide disaster declaration because of swine flu outbreak, with all (UIL) athletic competitions canceled until May 8th, per Gov Rick Perry. We have the cooties! (apparently)

For Texas to cancel high school athletic competitions is a Very Big Deal. This state is nutz about that stuff.

[glatt]

I'm more aware of people coughing and sneezing on the Metro during my daily commutes. It's peak tree pollen time, so there's a lot of sneezing going on.

I'm not sure what I'm gonna do if/when this thing becomes common in this area. I kind of depend on public transportation, but sealing myself into a train car twice a day with a hundred random strangers seems like it's asking for trouble. On the other hand, I'm exposed to so many people every day, I've probably got a super strong immune system. If it gets bad, I'll probably wear a mask on my commutes. I've got a ton of them for woodworking.

[dar512]

Originally Posted by glatt

If it gets bad, I'll probably wear a mask on my commutes. I've got a ton of them for woodworking.

I'd check to see if woodworking masks are suitable. Are you sure they'd filter virus cells?

[glatt]

Originally Posted by dar512

I'd check to see if woodworking masks are suitable. Are you sure they'd filter virus cells?

Not all of them will, but the ones I have should. They're the P95, or whatever.

If they don't, I also bought a box of N95 medical masks a while ago during the bird flu hysteria.

Edit: I just learned that the P95 and N95 masks are identical, but the P95 masks are highly resistant to oil, while the N95 masks are not resistant at all. So my woodworking masks are actually better than my medical masks. Although mine have exhalation valves, so they won't protect anyone from me. They will just protect me from them while I breathe in cool comfort.

[LabRat]

here we go....wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee...

Illinois Logs Nine Probable Cases of Swine Flu
Story Created: Apr 29, 2009 at 2:30 PM CDT

CHICAGO (AP) - The head of the Illinois Department of Public Health says the state has logged nine probable cases of swine flu, all in northern Illinois.

Dr. Damon Arnold says five of the probable cases are in Chicago, while two are in Kane County and single cases are being reported in both Lake and DuPage counties. The people diagnosed range in age from 2 to 57.

Arnold says all of the cases so far have been mild and nobody has been hospitalized.

Arnold appeared at a news conference Wednesday called in the wake of Chicago's decision to close an elementary school after one student there was found to have a probable case of swine flu.

Arnold, Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, Gov. Pat Quinn and other officials all stressed that the state is working hard to prevent further illnesses.

[Crimson Ghost]

I'm doing my part to stop the swine flu.

I'm eating the pigs.

But I'm only one man...........

[kerosene]

You forgot the </Ron White> closing tag, there Crimson.

[sweetwater]

It might be more effective if you switched to long pig, eh?

[Crimson Ghost]

Ah, human.
The other, other white meat.

[capnhowdy]

[Clodfobble]

We have at least one confirmed case in a child here in Austin, and that kid's elementary school has been shut down for two weeks.

Here's a helpful poster for combating swine flu hysteria:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/14763148/D...Have-Swine-Flu

[glatt]

Originally Posted by Clodfobble

We have at least one confirmed case in a child here in Austin, and that kid's elementary school has been shut down for two weeks.

You probably don't know this, but are they going to extend the academic year into the summer by two weeks? That's a long time to just close a school.

[Kitsune]

Originally Posted by Tiki

Here's a helpful poster for combating swine flu hysteria:[/url]

Oh, god, that is so wrong.

...but it might suddenly end up in the breakrooms at my office later today.

Oh noes, I have contracted Bacon Lung!

[Clodfobble]

Originally Posted by glatt

You probably don't know this, but are they going to extend the academic year into the summer by two weeks? That's a long time to just close a school.

On the one hand, I think legally they have to, because there's a minimum number of days the kids must be in school... but on the other, I think that's the sort of thing the governor could easily override in special circumstances. My stepkids' school in Houston was closed for a week due to the hurricane last year, and they didn't extend their school year to make up for it as far as I know.