News1 min ago
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�But if we are really unlucky, and experts stress that so far this is looking unlikely, we could be witnessing the beginning of a global catastrophe that could kill tens or even hundreds of millions.�
Let's deconstruct the above statement made by Michael Hanlon in The Daily Mail...
�But if we are really unlucky,...�
I want to paint a bleak picture, so I'm going to look at the absolute worst case scenario.
�... and experts stress that so far this is looking unlikely...�
Not one �expert� wants to go on record (journalists love naming names � if you can say �Professor so and so of such and such university said...� then it lends credence to your story). Furthermore, it appears that I've been told not to over-egg the situation. Naturally, as a journalist, I will completely ignore this sage advice and continue trying to scare the pants off people...
�... we COULD be witnessing the beginning of a global catastrophe...�
But then again, we might not...
�...that COULD kill tens OR EVEN hundreds of millions�
No one has any clue about the actual numbers even assuming that the threat is a real one.
Don't panic.
Let's deconstruct the above statement made by Michael Hanlon in The Daily Mail...
�But if we are really unlucky,...�
I want to paint a bleak picture, so I'm going to look at the absolute worst case scenario.
�... and experts stress that so far this is looking unlikely...�
Not one �expert� wants to go on record (journalists love naming names � if you can say �Professor so and so of such and such university said...� then it lends credence to your story). Furthermore, it appears that I've been told not to over-egg the situation. Naturally, as a journalist, I will completely ignore this sage advice and continue trying to scare the pants off people...
�... we COULD be witnessing the beginning of a global catastrophe...�
But then again, we might not...
�...that COULD kill tens OR EVEN hundreds of millions�
No one has any clue about the actual numbers even assuming that the threat is a real one.
Don't panic.
Sod all, reincarnated. (Your name is very apt too as it happens! � death being a minor inconvenience as you change shape/species ;-) )
But so what?
Worrying about it isn't exactly going to help is it?
You'll still have to go to the shops, go to work, etc. In this day and age you can't avoid contact with other people.
I'm not saying that it definitely isn't a problem because I definitely don't know for sure. What I do know is that if it's coming, it's coming. And if so, best of luck everyone.
However, I personally believe (at this moment in time) that it will all come to nowt.
But so what?
Worrying about it isn't exactly going to help is it?
You'll still have to go to the shops, go to work, etc. In this day and age you can't avoid contact with other people.
I'm not saying that it definitely isn't a problem because I definitely don't know for sure. What I do know is that if it's coming, it's coming. And if so, best of luck everyone.
However, I personally believe (at this moment in time) that it will all come to nowt.
Maybe birdie,but does this all down to prep? Because we NEED to be prepared for anything that the world throws at us (well almost anything) it all boils down to that saying."its better to have it and not need it,then to need it and not have it!" And with the medicine/vaccine etc....there will be folk worrying themselves into sleepless nights through this,but i reckon these are generally the people that start worrying about wars,the bse crisis etc....basically what the media portrays without really doing any real research themeselves! Anyways im off to bed and ill catch you on this or another thread in the future! night!
Well, a spokesman from the Government says that they are more than prepared if there is an outbreak here and there is more than enough vaccine to treat everyone. I hope that for once they are correct and telling the whole truth. SoD whether we are going down the financial pan, lets make sure they really get their priorities right by putting the general public's interests first on this (might be) situation.
There are anti-viral drugs such as Tamiflu and Relenza.
And the Government has been quietly stockpiling them for quite a long time.
There is enough for about half of the population which should be easilly enough to treat about half the population.
That should be enough to go in hard in any area that is affected and stop it.
(I do wonder if all those who wouldn't let their kids get the MMR will be queuing up for this)
BUT - these drugs are quite new and we don't know exactly how effective they'll be for sure. But most people in Mexico that have been treated have survived.
One more thing, if it's like Bird Flu Younger people are at higher risk as they have a more active imune system and it is the over-reaction of the immune system that does the damage in that
And the Government has been quietly stockpiling them for quite a long time.
There is enough for about half of the population which should be easilly enough to treat about half the population.
That should be enough to go in hard in any area that is affected and stop it.
(I do wonder if all those who wouldn't let their kids get the MMR will be queuing up for this)
BUT - these drugs are quite new and we don't know exactly how effective they'll be for sure. But most people in Mexico that have been treated have survived.
One more thing, if it's like Bird Flu Younger people are at higher risk as they have a more active imune system and it is the over-reaction of the immune system that does the damage in that
"Well, a spokesman from the Government says that they are more than prepared if there is an outbreak here and there is more than enough vaccine to treat everyone."
HA ha ha ha ha ha ha ha no no don't make me laugh ha ha ha ha.
Sorry {wipes laughter tear away} is that the same government that said we were well placed to wheather the economic down turn??
HA ha ha ha ha ha ha ha no no don't make me laugh ha ha ha ha.
Sorry {wipes laughter tear away} is that the same government that said we were well placed to wheather the economic down turn??
Well...the antigenic structure of this mutated H1N1 virus has yet to be worked out..............i.e no vaccine.
Yes the Government has stock piled vaccine, but not for this virus.
To work out the structure would take less than a week, but to provide enough vaccine for the population would take 6months.
Let's hope nature can provide the answer here and contain the virus naturally....if not we are in BIG trouble.
Yes the Government has stock piled vaccine, but not for this virus.
To work out the structure would take less than a week, but to provide enough vaccine for the population would take 6months.
Let's hope nature can provide the answer here and contain the virus naturally....if not we are in BIG trouble.
Another factor to bear in mind is that most of the Mexican deaths didn't seek treatment until they were very seriously ill (according to the Economist, who I think were referencing the WHO).
As Jake points out, anti-viral drugs like Tamiflu seem to be effective, and the illness also seems treatable when in it's early stages. Vigilance is key - and governments seem relatively well-prepared.
As Jake points out, anti-viral drugs like Tamiflu seem to be effective, and the illness also seems treatable when in it's early stages. Vigilance is key - and governments seem relatively well-prepared.
At 33 million doses the UK is quite well covered, 50% of population
Australia has about 33% of population,
US 16% of population
Ironically the Bird flu and SARS concerns that some people on here are always deriding as a storm in a teacup that never happened have probably meant that all governments around the world are better prepared for this that they otherwise would be
Australia has about 33% of population,
US 16% of population
Ironically the Bird flu and SARS concerns that some people on here are always deriding as a storm in a teacup that never happened have probably meant that all governments around the world are better prepared for this that they otherwise would be
