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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To not really care about swine flu?

109 replies

Kayzr · 30/04/2009 09:24

I am so bored of swine flu now. The news are making it out to be the end of the world. 168 people have died in Mexico but only 8 have been confirmed of having swine flu. So they might have died of something else, 1 person has died outside of Mexico and he had recently been to Mexico and apparently ill anyway.

Everyone apart from 1 person round the world that has swine flu has recently been to Mexico.

So IABU for really not caring?

OP posts:

pinkyp · 30/04/2009 12:28

i dont belive the media is trying to 'panic' us at all. - There making us aware so IF we did get the sypmtoms then we know what to do etc. If they didnt mention it as much - people wouldnt be as bothered and IF they did get flu symptoms would probabily shurg it off which is fine but IF it did turn out to be swine flu then they'd pass it on - hence causing an epedemic. I think there acting correctly. Imagine if there was no news of it but in 6months time they annouced swine flu had killed thousands of people in the uk - alot of which could of been prevented if they would of warned us earlier.

Original poster

Kayzr · 30/04/2009 12:29

Yes but that was in 1918, they didn't have the health care we have now.

OP posts:

Peachy · 30/04/2009 12:34

Even then the AIDs thing is irrelevant simply because we know how to avoid acquiring HIV and you certainly do not get it being stood next to an infected person in Asda when they happen to sneeze, perhaps its the loss of control linked to that feeding any panic?

katiestar · 30/04/2009 12:38

Yes but that was in 1918, they didn't have the health care we have now

but many countries don't .........

McDreamy · 30/04/2009 12:45

pinkyp I agree with you. I think the medical reaction is really good. This type of infection that cannot be controlled by drugs alone, the HPA need to inform us, the general public, of prevention measures that we can do. The HPA cannot control this alone, they need the general public to be aware.

I am impressed with the quick response, advice and precautions that are happening. If this comes to nothing then great, no doubt many lessons will be learnt and taken forward to the next pandemic threat and if it becomes a full scale pandemic (we are after all on level 5 of a 6 level scale) then thank goodness for the early response.

I just wish I was still practising as an Infection Control Nurse

BCNS · 30/04/2009 13:05

It's pretty sad that people will die from this. but apart from that, if your going to get it.. your going to get it. It will be those IMO with low immune systems, the frail, elderly and young etc who suffer the most.
It's always good to use tissues, wash hands etc..sadly a lot of people just don't do it.

my gran you'd to say to us children..

coughs and sneezes spread deseases, catch them in your hankachieveses.!

wise words I believe

are people really stock piling?? .. it will be worse than than a few years ago when the petrol strike thing was on. ( do you remember the shops then??).. they'll all be left with lots of candles and UHT milk for years after!

wasabipeanut · 30/04/2009 13:10

But thats the problem McDreamy. If it comes to nothing it will be another case of the authorities getting their knickers in a twist over a relatively minor threat. Bird flu does rather spring to mind here.

At some point there will be a serious threat and the risk is that people will go "yeah right" and ignore advice because they've heard it all before.

Maybe I'm just a cynic.

VinegarTitsTheSwine · 30/04/2009 13:11

I dont care either, the meeja are hyping it up to line thier pockets

The Swines!

smallorange · 30/04/2009 13:11

I've invested in some anti-bacterial hand spray and enforced a handwashing regime at home - something which was long overdue in our house anyway!

Otherwise, I'll deal with it when/if it happens. Will not read the speculation in the newspapers, will only deal with reality.

Am having DC3 in July and handwashing will be even more vigorously enforced.

McDreamy · 30/04/2009 13:12

But what's the alternative, wait and see and then take action? It'll be too late by then.

I know what you mean about Bird Flu and although at that time it came to nothing a lot was learnt about the strain (it might come back at any time) and a lot was learnt about measures that need to be put into place in the event of a pandemic.

lal123 · 30/04/2009 13:15

BCNS - one of the differences with swine flu is that its also killing healthy under 45 year olds.

Peachy · 30/04/2009 13:17

'will be worse than than a few years ago when the petrol strike thing was on. ( do you remember the shops then??).. '

Oh I remember alright, I was the receptionist of the alst depot in our County to have fuel reserves.... I remember!

wasabipeanut · 30/04/2009 13:19

I think a "wait and see" approach would actually be very sensible. Which sadly rules it out given our current leaders.

All they would have to do is am emergency broadcast, explain what to do - job done. 24 hour newscasters may actually be useful at this point.

It wouldn't be "too late." What are they achieving now other than boring people to tears and making the dafter ones actually panic?

McDreamy · 30/04/2009 13:21

We will have to agree to very much disagree there wasabi. I personally couldn't think of anything worse.

Original poster

Kayzr · 30/04/2009 13:21

Only 9 people worldwide have died of swine flu. Many more are suspected to have died but they might have died of something else.

OP posts:

heverhoney1 · 30/04/2009 13:24

O.k I would say, as someone who has developed a strange thing for washing her hands in anti bac soap to the point the skin has totally dried out on the back of her hands due to a uti during pregnancy, I am a Tiny bit worried because my baby is due any day. My DP works in a school and I am in and out of Doctors and hospitals for routine stuff so we circulate in quite high risk areas should a pandemic occur.

HOWEVER!!! I cant say that even I am that worried about it at this point! I think the madia coverage and the new adverts about coughs and sneezes are building public perception up a lot higher than it needs to be.

The thing that really worries me is not even people who cough and sneeze all about the place it is the generall acceptance of people spitting! It is just accepted - esp in young men - becuase they see footballers do it and they have no perception of the diseases that kind of thing spreads! Its not just flu and colds etc but it can spread meningitis and other diseases. It disgusts me makes me feel physically ill and I think there is a case for the dangers to be included in the new adverts so that the money is not just spent on a pandemic that may or may not happen but it is a space to educate people about disease and hygene in general.

wasabipeanut · 30/04/2009 13:26

Sorry. Couldn't resist.

McDreamy · 30/04/2009 13:28

lol wasabipeanut

ew spitting - turns my stomach!

Original poster

Kayzr · 30/04/2009 13:28

I did see this joke on another forum.

I called my doc told him I had a headache, runny nose and streaming eyes was it swine flu?...He said no because if it was swine flu I'd come out in rashers......and I would need to get some oinkment

OP posts:

heverhoney1 · 30/04/2009 13:32

I have just re read my post the number of typos is shameful!!!! maybe I am coming down with something after all

frasersmummy · 30/04/2009 13:51

has anyone noticed.....its not actually spreading in the uk

all 5 cases confirmed here have been in mexico

All the people who were in contact with the couple in falkirk were tested and seeing as they werent confirmed I assume their results were negative

wasabipeanut · 30/04/2009 13:54

Yes frasersmummy I noticed. Hence my belief that this is all a flap over nothing.

We love a good health scare don't we?? Apparently face masks have sold out, thus proving people aren't listening to what the great and the good are telling them because I have heard repeatedly that standard face masks will not protect you.

BCNS · 30/04/2009 13:58

lal123 - I know but it hasn't really killed that many considering.. and were they really healthly to start with? Obviusly I'll change my mind if it starts looking awful and all that

I'm on the wait an see how it pans out camp.

I just don't get the government spending on leaflets to every household though. ( oh your all going to die.. have a leaflet.. or.. well you lot weren't too concerned.. now we'll give you some info.. but not really enough on a bullet pointed leaflet.. that will basically say sneeze into a tissue and call NHS direct.. and create panic.. because the government is telling you something serious on a leaflet.. I just hope the person delivering mine doesn't sneeze on it )

wannaBe · 30/04/2009 14:00

yes I have pointed that out on other thread too.

Also only eight people have died in meccico. Yes some others have died but they have not been confirmed to have died of swine flu. Surely if they had that would have been confirmed by now.

But... 156 people have died is far more sensational than nine people die...

frasersmummy · 30/04/2009 14:04

and the number of threads on here puts more weight behind the hype ..

so to the op no yanbu

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