Yeah, if a doctor says something like that we label them as a nutter and ignore them.
If a leader in the church says something like that, lots of people nod wisely…
I bet at some point someone comes out with this sort of rubbish, they usually do.. some where .. and not to use sterio typoes at all… in the south of the United States of america.
By a fluke I have just blogged a mini post about this on my blog take a look,
Meaning to say that here in the US most cases have been mild. meanwhile as I noted on another post, I have had a cough the past week caused by constant weather changes and I am looked at like a leper every time I cough.
i’ve heard it makes you come out in terrible rashers!
I did just this second recieve an email for the General sec of the Methodist Church with guidance notes on how churches can help minimise the spread of the expected pandemic
it included this prayer…….
Let us continue to pray for our families, our brothers and sisters in the faith, for our city and for the authorities.
Let us turn this into an opportunity to unite in prayer for one another, having faith that God is the one leading our lives.
Bishop Moises Valderrama
The Methodist Church of Mexico
and the only thing i could think after reading it was….’i wonder if his hair is as good as the other more famous Valderrama?’
Actual BBC news top story on Breakfast this morning:
“There is a possible third person infected with swine flu in Scotland. He is the best friend and was in close contact with the honeymoon couple. The honeymoon couple are both better now but the woman has a bit of a cough”.
Hmmmmmmm… Top news this morning “Woman in Scotland has ‘a bit of a cough’”
Lunchtime news today – some healthcare professional saying.
“This doesn’t seem any worse than human influenza”.
Admittedly, flu does kill a large number of elderly and infim people.
At 11AM at the monestary we were all issued with flora free alcohol gel. At 12 noon we were many, but we were all one body because we all shared the same cup
Perhaps, just perhaps…. we may be over reacting a little.
Just perhaps.
If you are still worried, the CofE has given us some handy prayers
AIDS statistics? Still in the two thirds world thousands of people die each day from a pandemic. But they aren’t white and don’t live on the North American or European continents……
Just a quick thought…
The cartoon?
Does anyone actually say this?
Does anyone actually nod their head and agree with them?
With you there Robb! Seems daft. Obviously very sad for those who’ve lost family and friends, but it doesn’t really seem like swine flu is extra deadly, despite all the hype to the contrary.
Just had a skype chat with my eldest who is a student at Newcastle Uni…requesting I send her a bottle of antibacterial handwash. Someone at the uni has been diagnosed and apparently stocks are depleted! Methinks hysteria is setting in.
For what its worth I agree with Rachel – way back at comment 1. Why are we not discussing the very real issue that this raises?
Anyway Pigs/swine/birds…….For its a mystery why the WHO and all the 1st world are more bothered by the possibility of some of getting sick than the the thousands who die in the third world on a daily basis from more mundane reasons?
I bet more has been spent in the last few weeks on vaccines for the well than aid has gone to the already suffering – But then I’m a famous cynic!
re. drew @ 27… i agree and would add this rant… it winds me up that commentators are banging on about the possibility of swine flu being the next pandemic… the first for decades according to the ‘experts’… WHAT ABOUT AIDS!!! that’s a pandemic! we may have it under control in the west… but in africa and india it’s taking and affecting the lives of millions.
apparently it’s only a pandemic if it affects us. disgraceful.
In response to one of Robb’s earlier comments – yes, people in churches DO say this stuff, and get very exercised if you don’t agree with them.
I have had a load of reactionary comment recently from folk who have been listening to one of the more fundamentalist American preachers, all about this kind of thing. Weird, and damaging.
BTW- A Catholic Archdiocese here in Connecticut has suggested that folks not touch each other when passing the peace. They also made some suggestions re: receiving the Lord’s Supper. This is ridiculous. If I have a high temperature, I don’t go to church because there are some folks there I might infect that are sick enough already that I could send them over the edge.
The difference with AIDS is that it acts a lot slower. There are quite clear ways that you can avoid getting infected. Treatment is very effective at controlling the disease so that we can no longer predict the life span of people with AIDS…in many countries it is not a death sentence any more. (The issue of lack of universal access to medicines and information is a very different story).
The issue with the flu outbreak is that it is practically impossible to stop transmission. Someone can sneeze somewhere like a bus, and everyone who touches the hand rail is at risk of catching the virus.
There is no medicine that can cure the flu, those that we have can reduce the severity only.
The biggest concern is that a deadly strain (such as it initially looked like the Swine flu version was) could transmit between people and infect large numbers of people very quickly. If the time it took for someone to die from it was quick, then it could kill a very, very large number of people in a very short amount of time.
I’m sure you all know this though. There is a big risk that this will occur. It’s been good that all the health authorities in world have been given a practice run though.
If there was a flu pandemic, it would be those same 3rd world countries who would suffer the biggest death tolls.
In the uk they have systems in place where anti-viral medications can be shipped to your door within the shortest possible time (I was a pharmacist on flu call this weekend).
I cannot imagine 3rd world countries having such organized health systems to distribute medicines to their people.
Yeah, if a doctor says something like that we label them as a nutter and ignore them.
If a leader in the church says something like that, lots of people nod wisely…
Comment by Rachel — May 1, 2009 @ 11:38 am
ditto newsreporter..I mean: ????????????
Comment by HisGal — May 1, 2009 @ 12:50 pm
I bet at some point someone comes out with this sort of rubbish, they usually do.. some where .. and not to use sterio typoes at all… in the south of the United States of america.
By a fluke I have just blogged a mini post about this on my blog take a look,
http://www.beatthedrum.wordpress.com
Comment by beatthedrum — May 1, 2009 @ 1:09 pm
That’s right go ahead and blame the pigs. No-one gets kitten flu or seal pup viruses.
Comment by Mike — May 1, 2009 @ 1:14 pm
Yes the world is a strange place and all sorts of strange and unjustified behaviours will result from this thing.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/africa/article6193785.ece
Comment by themethatisme — May 1, 2009 @ 1:15 pm
Does this mean there is more bacon for us meat eaters?
Comment by beatthedrum — May 1, 2009 @ 1:25 pm
But why is Gunther von Hagens interviewing? Have autopsies been banned as a safety precaution?
Comment by Joan of Quark — May 1, 2009 @ 1:52 pm
This new virus is all very worrying…I tried to phone the swine flu hotline…but all I got was crackling!
Comment by Carole — May 1, 2009 @ 2:11 pm
YES! YESSSSSS!!!!!
Comment by Raffi Shahinian — May 1, 2009 @ 2:26 pm
Could this be what happens when you cast your pearls before swine.
Comment by miriworm — May 1, 2009 @ 2:38 pm
I wish we had a similar outcry over how many people die every day from say gunshot wounds.
Comment by beckyG — May 1, 2009 @ 2:40 pm
Meaning to say that here in the US most cases have been mild. meanwhile as I noted on another post, I have had a cough the past week caused by constant weather changes and I am looked at like a leper every time I cough.
Comment by beckyG — May 1, 2009 @ 2:41 pm
please, if I have to get a deadly virus… could I have bird flu, rather than swine flu?
I just think it sounds nicer
Comment by Caroline Too — May 1, 2009 @ 2:53 pm
i’ve heard it makes you come out in terrible rashers!
I did just this second recieve an email for the General sec of the Methodist Church with guidance notes on how churches can help minimise the spread of the expected pandemic
it included this prayer…….
Let us continue to pray for our families, our brothers and sisters in the faith, for our city and for the authorities.
Let us turn this into an opportunity to unite in prayer for one another, having faith that God is the one leading our lives.
Bishop Moises Valderrama
The Methodist Church of Mexico
and the only thing i could think after reading it was….’i wonder if his hair is as good as the other more famous Valderrama?’
Comment by duttyo — May 1, 2009 @ 3:10 pm
Sorry, nothing coherant… Just random nonsense….
http://doihaveswineflu.org/
Actual BBC news top story on Breakfast this morning:
“There is a possible third person infected with swine flu in Scotland. He is the best friend and was in close contact with the honeymoon couple. The honeymoon couple are both better now but the woman has a bit of a cough”.
Hmmmmmmm… Top news this morning “Woman in Scotland has ‘a bit of a cough’”
Lunchtime news today – some healthcare professional saying.
“This doesn’t seem any worse than human influenza”.
Admittedly, flu does kill a large number of elderly and infim people.
If anymore proof should be needs, The Gov’nor tweeted:
“There is no need for alarm – I issued my emergency proclamation to make sure all agencies are working in sync with the dept of public health”
At 9:28PM on the 28th.
What is the world coming to when Arnold Schwarzenegger is twittering “Don’t Panic” to the world?
Perhaps if he wrote it in “large friendly letters” on the cover. Maybe in Pink!
At 11AM at the monestary we were all issued with flora free alcohol gel. At 12 noon we were many, but we were all one body because we all shared the same cup
Perhaps, just perhaps…. we may be over reacting a little.
Just perhaps.
If you are still worried, the CofE has given us some handy prayers
http://www.cofe.anglican.org/worship/prayers/#swineflu
AIDS statistics? Still in the two thirds world thousands of people die each day from a pandemic. But they aren’t white and don’t live on the North American or European continents……
Just a quick thought…
The cartoon?
Does anyone actually say this?
Does anyone actually nod their head and agree with them?
Comment by Robb — May 1, 2009 @ 3:14 pm
Dutyo – I wonder if it is Valderrama – and he has been made Bish! That would be seriously cooooool!!
Comment by Robb — May 1, 2009 @ 3:14 pm
So this Bishop Valderrama – how’s his scorpion kick?
Comment by Carole — May 1, 2009 @ 3:18 pm
sorry Carole, that was Rene Higuita. but he did also have amazing hair!
Comment by duttyo — May 1, 2009 @ 3:27 pm
After creating a mass panic the BBC say:
“Preliminary analysis of the swine flu virus suggests it is a fairly mild strain, scientists say.
It is believed that a further mutation would be needed in order for the H1N1 virus to cause the mass deaths that have been estimated by some*.”
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8028371.stm
* Erm, us and other news agencies. Whoops.
Comment by Robb — May 1, 2009 @ 3:33 pm
Aah yes…I’m thinking of Archbishop Higuita of Medellin… (:oops:)
Comment by Carole — May 1, 2009 @ 3:34 pm
Wow, Bishop Moises’ prayer is a rallying call to inaction.
J
Comment by JF — May 1, 2009 @ 3:47 pm
With you there Robb! Seems daft. Obviously very sad for those who’ve lost family and friends, but it doesn’t really seem like swine flu is extra deadly, despite all the hype to the contrary.
Comment by Sophie — May 1, 2009 @ 4:54 pm
Just had a skype chat with my eldest who is a student at Newcastle Uni…requesting I send her a bottle of antibacterial handwash. Someone at the uni has been diagnosed and apparently stocks are depleted! Methinks hysteria is setting in.
Comment by Carole — May 1, 2009 @ 5:47 pm
22. Could the manufacturers of say hand sanitizer be behind this hysteria?
Comment by beckyG — May 1, 2009 @ 6:21 pm
Carole – when I was at Newcastle Uni they gave us the flu vaccine…. and we then all went on to get flu!!
Tell her to go to The North Terrace – that is where I used to stock up on “medicinal” alcohol
Comment by Robb — May 1, 2009 @ 6:23 pm
Ohh baby, is this ever rant fodder !
Comment by Forrest — May 1, 2009 @ 6:53 pm
For what its worth I agree with Rachel – way back at comment 1. Why are we not discussing the very real issue that this raises?
Anyway Pigs/swine/birds…….For its a mystery why the WHO and all the 1st world are more bothered by the possibility of some of getting sick than the the thousands who die in the third world on a daily basis from more mundane reasons?
I bet more has been spent in the last few weeks on vaccines for the well than aid has gone to the already suffering – But then I’m a famous cynic!
Comment by drew — May 1, 2009 @ 7:11 pm
ups
Comment by norbi — May 1, 2009 @ 10:16 pm
sorry, robb… your comment @ 15 got stuck in the filter. it’s now rescued…
Comment by jonbirch — May 2, 2009 @ 12:03 am
re. drew @ 27… i agree and would add this rant… it winds me up that commentators are banging on about the possibility of swine flu being the next pandemic… the first for decades according to the ‘experts’… WHAT ABOUT AIDS!!! that’s a pandemic! we may have it under control in the west… but in africa and india it’s taking and affecting the lives of millions.
apparently it’s only a pandemic if it affects us. disgraceful.
Comment by jonbirch — May 2, 2009 @ 12:09 am
In response to one of Robb’s earlier comments – yes, people in churches DO say this stuff, and get very exercised if you don’t agree with them.
I have had a load of reactionary comment recently from folk who have been listening to one of the more fundamentalist American preachers, all about this kind of thing. Weird, and damaging.
Comment by Kim — May 2, 2009 @ 5:57 am
can only women get bird flu then?
Comment by Laura — May 2, 2009 @ 11:15 am
kim… sometimes i think it’s like there are those who want to see the world damned. distressing, isn’t it?
Comment by jonbirch — May 2, 2009 @ 12:12 pm
media hype is a real pandemic.
Comment by jonbirch — May 2, 2009 @ 12:13 pm
http://xkcd.com/574/
Comment by zefi — May 2, 2009 @ 12:19 pm
Zefi
Comment by Pat — May 2, 2009 @ 1:37 pm
BTW- A Catholic Archdiocese here in Connecticut has suggested that folks not touch each other when passing the peace. They also made some suggestions re: receiving the Lord’s Supper. This is ridiculous. If I have a high temperature, I don’t go to church because there are some folks there I might infect that are sick enough already that I could send them over the edge.
Comment by beckyG — May 3, 2009 @ 6:21 am
The difference with AIDS is that it acts a lot slower. There are quite clear ways that you can avoid getting infected. Treatment is very effective at controlling the disease so that we can no longer predict the life span of people with AIDS…in many countries it is not a death sentence any more. (The issue of lack of universal access to medicines and information is a very different story).
The issue with the flu outbreak is that it is practically impossible to stop transmission. Someone can sneeze somewhere like a bus, and everyone who touches the hand rail is at risk of catching the virus.
There is no medicine that can cure the flu, those that we have can reduce the severity only.
The biggest concern is that a deadly strain (such as it initially looked like the Swine flu version was) could transmit between people and infect large numbers of people very quickly. If the time it took for someone to die from it was quick, then it could kill a very, very large number of people in a very short amount of time.
I’m sure you all know this though. There is a big risk that this will occur. It’s been good that all the health authorities in world have been given a practice run though.
Comment by Cate — May 3, 2009 @ 11:29 pm
ALSO…
If there was a flu pandemic, it would be those same 3rd world countries who would suffer the biggest death tolls.
In the uk they have systems in place where anti-viral medications can be shipped to your door within the shortest possible time (I was a pharmacist on flu call this weekend).
I cannot imagine 3rd world countries having such organized health systems to distribute medicines to their people.
Comment by Cate — May 3, 2009 @ 11:33 pm