“The world as we know it is coming to an end. Plague and pestilence are sweeping the planet. Click here and purchase our emergency food rations….before the world runs out of food.”
I understand that the economy stinks, and current events both here at home and abroad have us all concerned for the future, but within the past few months my email is overflowing with doom and gloom dire predictions put out by companies with “the solution” to sell. Food supplies, underground bunkers, and the ultimate guide to living off the grid are just a sample of the products being pushed. The last time I saw this many predictions of world wide destruction was during the run up to the year 2000. These types of campaigns do a disservice to all of us in the real world of emergency preparedness. After a thousand emails, so called news stories, and a whole host of fly by night internet sites spreading hype and questionable science, it makes the real need for preparedness seem trivial. Our messages get lost in the “noise”. I did find it a little ironic that as I sat down to delete a dozen of just such emails that the news scroll announced the passing of well known pitch man Billy Mays. Now I can’t help but hear his voice in my head every time I read one of these over exaggerated predictions of our demise. “Hi, Billy Mays here, the world is coming to an end!” (May he rest in peace.)
With any luck as the economy gets better, we will hear fewer and fewer predictions of chaos consuming the world. As we all witnessed in the year 2000 we can only hope that the producers of this garbage disappear and take their overhyped campaigns with them.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Saturday, June 13, 2009
More on Pandemic Flu
Just in case you have not turned on the TV, radio, read the paper or had internet access....... here is the latest.
The WHO (World Health Organization)’s announcement of a global pandemic confirms what we anticipated: H1N1 flu, commonly known as swine flu, continues to spread widely around the world. For weeks, State, County and Local officials have been intensively planning and preparing for the anticipated return of the virus in the fall and continue on that path.
H1N1 flu is still circulating in our community, but the level of illness appears to be decreasing, with fewer reports of flu-like illness from hospitals and schools. H1N1 virus has caused a disproportionate number of cases and hospitalizations in younger people, with 57% of the cases nationally among people aged 5-25 years of age. 41% of the hospitalizations are also among this age group.
The severity of the H1N1 virus has not changed here in King County or anywhere around the world. The WHO’s declaration of a pandemic (phase 6) is based on geographic spread of the influenza virus, not on the severity of the illness.
It’s important to note that although H1N1 activity is decreasing in King County as we enter the summer, we anticipate significantly more widespread outbreaks this fall and winter. This may include the potential for an increased number of illnesses and deaths in younger persons than during a typical flu season. Since this is a new virus strain, we know that many people will not have immunity to H1N1 flu.
This is a critical time to prepare for whatever the flu might bring in the fall.
Public Health is collaborating with health care, schools and other community partners to be ready.
Individuals and families must also prepare, including taking steps now to plan for possible school closures (such as setting up alternative child care and finding ways to work from home) and absences from work.
Businesses and organizations must also be ready to cope with a reduced work force if many become ill or need to stay at home.
Influenza can be serious for many people, regardless of whether it's this new strain of swine flu or the seasonal flu we see annually.
Be safe and have a great weekend,
Carl
The WHO (World Health Organization)’s announcement of a global pandemic confirms what we anticipated: H1N1 flu, commonly known as swine flu, continues to spread widely around the world. For weeks, State, County and Local officials have been intensively planning and preparing for the anticipated return of the virus in the fall and continue on that path.
H1N1 flu is still circulating in our community, but the level of illness appears to be decreasing, with fewer reports of flu-like illness from hospitals and schools. H1N1 virus has caused a disproportionate number of cases and hospitalizations in younger people, with 57% of the cases nationally among people aged 5-25 years of age. 41% of the hospitalizations are also among this age group.
The severity of the H1N1 virus has not changed here in King County or anywhere around the world. The WHO’s declaration of a pandemic (phase 6) is based on geographic spread of the influenza virus, not on the severity of the illness.
It’s important to note that although H1N1 activity is decreasing in King County as we enter the summer, we anticipate significantly more widespread outbreaks this fall and winter. This may include the potential for an increased number of illnesses and deaths in younger persons than during a typical flu season. Since this is a new virus strain, we know that many people will not have immunity to H1N1 flu.
This is a critical time to prepare for whatever the flu might bring in the fall.
Public Health is collaborating with health care, schools and other community partners to be ready.
Individuals and families must also prepare, including taking steps now to plan for possible school closures (such as setting up alternative child care and finding ways to work from home) and absences from work.
Businesses and organizations must also be ready to cope with a reduced work force if many become ill or need to stay at home.
Influenza can be serious for many people, regardless of whether it's this new strain of swine flu or the seasonal flu we see annually.
Be safe and have a great weekend,
Carl
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Traffic Control Flagging Class
Tuesday June 2nd I will be teaching a Traffic Control Flagging class over at Woodinville so if you know anyone that needs or wants to be a certified flagger there is still room in the class. This Memorial Day weekend I will be posting an ad on Craigslist as well. Have a great weekend and Be Safe!
The past couple of weeks have been crazy busy so the posting has slowed down, but the good news is that I have lots of content just waiting for me to put down. Stay tuned.
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