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Economic toll from swine flu very large.

by Star69
2 replies
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Swine flu fear catching fast in weak world economy

Fears of flu pandemic threaten new storm for global economy just as clouds seem to be parting

  • Adam Geller, AP National Writer
  • Tuesday April 28, 2009, 9:56 pm EST
NEW YORK (AP) -- The swine flu outbreak is unleashing a side effect the global economy is in no condition to handle: fear.



Travelers are canceling or delaying trips to Mexico, Cuba banned all flights to its neighbor and Argentina announced Tuesday a five-day ban on flights arriving from Mexico. China, Russia and South Korea have banned imports of some North American pork, despite assurances that the flu is not spread through meat. Investors just starting to regain their nerve have again caught the jitters.


Rest of article here:


Swine flu fear catching fast in weak world economy - Yahoo! Finance

Egypt already declared all pigs be slaughtered, although no cases of swine flu there yet.

I heard the swine flu germ can stay alive in the open for 24 hours. People think they are helping control it by sneezing into their hand, but then they touch things like subway seats and handrails, doors and door handles, shopping cart handles, elevator buttons, etc.

Be careful what you touch in public, be sure to wash your hands many times a day and don't hang out in large crowds of other people, some of who might be infected, and you should be fine.

No need to panic, just use your head.

And I really hate people who ask to borrow my pen! Do I know where your hands have been? If you need a pen, go buy one. Don't ask to borrow mine or use my laptop or anything!

Besides, I might have kooties.
  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    I'm feeling the same way about money, Star. Actually don't like to touch the stuff anymore - although there's quite a bit of coke residue on most bills and guess the contact buzz might be a bit of a lift in hard times. Wonder if cocaine DNA got into the flu viruses if we would grow a form that would make you feel good?

    Everyone is closing their borders but the US even though most citizens want that border closed with or without flu. Go figure.
    Signature

    Sal
    When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
    Beyond the Path

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  • Profile picture of the author Star69
    Yep, money is dirty, and the U.S. just seems to refuse to shut down that southern border. Maybe once we've all died of swine flu they'll finally think closing that border makes sense...

    Commentary: Flu shouldn't close Mexico border

    updated 9:35 a.m. EDT, Wed April 29, 2009

    By Carlos del Rio
    Special to CNN




    Editor's note: Carlos del Rio, MD, is the Hubert Professor and chair in the global health department at the Rollins School of Public Health and professor of medicine in the division of infectious diseases at Emory University's School of Medicine. Del Rio is a native of Mexico and was executive director of the National AIDS Council of Mexico from 1992 through 1996.
    Dr. Carlos del Rio says U.S. and Mexican authorities deserve credit for their responses to the swine flu outbreak.

    ATLANTA, Georgia (CNN) -- The swine flu outbreak that started less than a month ago has caused more than 150 deaths in Mexico and more than 60 confirmed cases across the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, with suspected cases in France, Spain, Israel and New Zealand.

    It is clear that a new virus has emerged that is different enough that the population's previous exposure to influenza viruses and vaccines do not provide immunity.

    So far, public health authorities are meeting this challenge with strength and preparedness. The Mexican and American federal governments deserve credit for their thorough responses.

    The major control strategy that has been implemented in Mexico is social-distancing, a range of nonquarantine measures that attempt to reduce contact between persons, such as closing schools, canceling cultural and sports events, and closing museums and parks. In addition, countries are strengthening surveillance, releasing antiviral stockpiles and issuing travel advisories.

    In the United States, federal officials are working closely with and providing guidance to state and local public health authorities, who have to make decisions about whether to close schools or prevent other large-scale gatherings.

    The cross-border nature of this outbreak is a strong argument for why the United States should cooperate with and support competent institutions of government in other countries, even during a period of economic uncertainty.

    Continue reading at: http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/04/29...flu/index.html

    Leave it to a Mexican to say we should leave the southern border wide open...
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