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Discussion - FluTrackers Invited to Washington D.C. to Media Session on H1N1

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Re: FluTrackers Invited to Washington D.C. to Media Session on H1N1

Re: FluTrackers Invited to Washington D.C. to Media Session on H1N1

Welcome Alibabba!
 
Re: FluTrackers Invited to Washington D.C. to Media Session on H1N1

Re: FluTrackers Invited to Washington D.C. to Media Session on H1N1

I am sure they know that dropping data into FT is like dropping meat into a pack of starving wolves. I would bet they would count on that behavior. Get us fighting amoungst ourselves and if they can not steer the medium steer it over the edge of a cliff.
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To the contrary, FT generally maintains a reasonable response with several experienced members doing the analysis of whatever news is uncovered.

Although this place exists to detect emergencies and help everyone who comes here be prepared, the atmosphere is calmer here than response to general articles in our online newspaper.

I think that Florida and several other members have worked with media people, government people and others more than a few times.

It's also entirely possible that folks in goverment and media outlets will listen and pick up a few things from FT representation.
 
Re: FluTrackers Invited to Washington D.C. to Media Session on H1N1

Re: FluTrackers Invited to Washington D.C. to Media Session on H1N1

#65: "I am sure they know that dropping data into FT is like dropping meat into a pack of starving wolves."

:D
___

Unfortunately, unless we translate ourself on Pitcairn island (there they know well how to isolate themselves),
we could only play the remaining cards, cause the pandemic is already here now.
 
Re: FluTrackers Invited to Washington D.C. to Media Session on H1N1

Re: FluTrackers Invited to Washington D.C. to Media Session on H1N1

tolenio said:
Hi,

So basically the government is asking you how they can best spin/interact with media (including FT) to get the result they want?

Best strategy; tell them what they want to hear so you get to hear what you want to hear.

I am sure they know that dropping data into FT is like dropping meat into a pack of starving wolves. I would bet they would count on that behavior. Get us fighting amoungst ourselves and if they can not steer the medium steer it over the edge of a cliff.

I trust those guys like a mugger gets to hold my wallet.

I contend FT's is most likely being played to the government's advantage. There is no listening going to happen by them, they are looking for weakness and loopholes they can use to steer their message. It is like a coach watching the game tapes of the opposing team to look for successful strategies.

Just my opinion. No great honor here, only government fact finding looking for strategy plays. Don't get taken, learn their moves. These guys make a living by looking like they care when they don't. Glad handing, crocadile tears, and fake compasssion are their stock in trade. They wil make you feel like a million bucks while they steal your wallet.

In business, people in this situation are allowed to come out from under the ethyr of influence (that is what these events are designed to do), and then we analyze what really happened, then make decsions.

Tom
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You shouldn't worry. FluTrackers (FT) has been, is now, and will continue to operate as a volunteer organization without any external intervention.

Short of shutting down the FT site, there is no way that some shadowy figures in smoke-filled back rooms will have any control over the how the news is reported or interpreted here nor will they control the FT message of pandemic preparation. The members, moderators, residents, and administrators here disagree along many different dimensions, but eventually we do tend to reach consensus viewpoints that are not directly or indirectly influenced or swayed by government officials, private or corporate enterprises, or any other organizations that have a vested interest in the outcome of this pandemic.

We will continue to operate as an independent source of news and information for infectious diseases precisely because we are made up of a large group of volunteers whose dedication and talents can not be bought or sold.
 
Re: FluTrackers Invited to Washington D.C. to Media Session on H1N1

Re: FluTrackers Invited to Washington D.C. to Media Session on H1N1

I agree Al. And, maybe you can show them the India Case Count. Where we have one count from the Health Ministry, and another count, from the State, or the "Press". We will keep both counts. And let the people decide.
 
Re: FluTrackers Invited to Washington D.C. to Media Session on H1N1

Re: FluTrackers Invited to Washington D.C. to Media Session on H1N1

I'll be attending this tabletop meeting as well, representing Avian Flu Diary along with FluTrackers.


By the end of the day, everyone in the room will have heard of FT ;)


This is an excellent opportunity for numerous agency heads, and major media players, to get to know FT better.

I look forward to seeing everyone there.
 
Re: FluTrackers Invited to Washington D.C. to Media Session on H1N1

Re: FluTrackers Invited to Washington D.C. to Media Session on H1N1

Tolenio -

I have been around the bend a few times. I am middle-aged. I know a "snow job" when I hear/see it. And I raised 2 teenagers. :D

We do not agree with several US government positions on pandemic: school closures, pandemic stockpiles, masks, emphasis on vaccine development at the expense of other possible treatments, and release of various information - to name a few.

There is nothing they can say that will change my mind.

Nothing.

I am going with my eyes wide open.

I have met "luminaries" before so "ethyr of influence" applies to me when I am at home, in skuzzy clothes, glass of wine, classical music, candles lit, in the company of near ones.

:)
 
Re: FluTrackers Invited to Washington D.C. to Media Session on H1N1

Re: FluTrackers Invited to Washington D.C. to Media Session on H1N1

I think it sounds like a good thing that you are going to the Media Session. I respect the concerns voiced in the thread, but I feel like all will go well and you won't be put into any awkward situations.

I just hope that the H1N1 pandemic does not become as deadly as many fear, and we can learn from this.
 
Re: FluTrackers Invited to Washington D.C. to Media Session on H1N1

Re: FluTrackers Invited to Washington D.C. to Media Session on H1N1

If there is time :) you could broach the subject of how, if they knew it would peak long before a vaccine was ready-would it have been better to put that money towards N95s, vents and Tamiflu? I mean, if they say the flu will peak mid Oct according to the US gov and the vaccine won't be ready until Thanksgiving (?) then why haven't they (or maybe now they are as they have asked for a census on vents) done more in the way of not preventing but treatment of H1N1?
 
Re: FluTrackers Invited to Washington D.C. to Media Session on H1N1

Re: FluTrackers Invited to Washington D.C. to Media Session on H1N1

Tom I can see that you do not want us to go.

The tickets are bought. We are going.

Think for a moment.

Maybe if they see how the media reacts, they might re-consider a policy. Like school closure for instance.

If they ask us - "How will you cover 50 children sick in an elementary school out of 500 students, in Grandtown, and 4 children and 1 teacher dead from pandemic flu but the school remains open"?

We say- "Hey- it is in our main news forum with a Breaking icon, it is in the ticker tape that rotates and is a desk top function, it is in a blog, it is our twitter, it is in the discussion forum with a Breaking icon."

"And there may be multiple threads in multiple forums on FT on this event depending on victim status, symptomology, genetic information, etc. etc. Multiple tweets".

And then ABC, Reuters, some of the others say "Hey - YES, MAXIMUM COVERAGE".

Maybe, just maybe, someone in the government will say......"Er....ah....er.....maybe we need to re-think our school closing policy".

Try to keep an open mind. We are.


:)
 
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Re: FluTrackers Invited to Washington D.C. to Media Session on H1N1

Re: FluTrackers Invited to Washington D.C. to Media Session on H1N1

Please mention something about the fevers, or lack there of, that sometimes accompany a H1N1 infected person.

Thanks for all you are doing to open the eyes of these people!
 
Re: FluTrackers Invited to Washington D.C. to Media Session on H1N1

Re: FluTrackers Invited to Washington D.C. to Media Session on H1N1

In my opinion, government is not the enemy - they just sometimes get confused.
There's a place for authority and one for responsibility.
When an entity balances the two to cause the least harm, we all benefit.

As Florida1 pointed out, getting a feel for how decisions and policies will be covered could help in the formation of those policies.
 
Re: FluTrackers Invited to Washington D.C. to Media Session on H1N1

Re: FluTrackers Invited to Washington D.C. to Media Session on H1N1

We have to go. We represent the common man. Without our input we are giving up any inside power. We owe it to everyone who reads and participates at ft to help influence decisions made at the highest levels. Who knows what we are capable of until we try? Sharon is honest, straightforward and while kind, not a fool. If she meets any pressure to change our message I can assure you it will be met with a raised eyebrow and a sniff.
 
Re: FluTrackers Invited to Washington D.C. to Media Session on H1N1

Re: FluTrackers Invited to Washington D.C. to Media Session on H1N1

Tom, truly you are missing the point. Honored or not, our attendees are not idiots, fools or, so besotted with the the company they are sitting next to, they cannot function. Have a little faith bro. We haven't gotten this far with our eyes wide shut.
 
Re: FluTrackers Invited to Washington D.C. to Media Session on H1N1

Re: FluTrackers Invited to Washington D.C. to Media Session on H1N1

I think many flubies who were around for the web dialog last year (or whenever it was) understood that what began as "dialog" ended up being more of a fishing expedition on the govt's part. We really have no notions that other govt dialogs will be much different.

I do think it's an honor to be recognized and invited. It took a lot of work to come from a small little flu forum to an entity that gets an invite from the govt. And I appreciate our flubies who take the time out of their personal lives to attend these meeting.

Whether you trust the govt or not, having a presence there at the meeting is a good thing.
 
Re: FluTrackers Invited to Washington D.C. to Media Session on H1N1

Re: FluTrackers Invited to Washington D.C. to Media Session on H1N1

tolenio wrote:
It is strategy planning for them, and media are the mice in the maze they are observing.
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This may be true. But I say "Good luck!", because in this day and age of technology...they will be hard pressed to try to squash any news.
 
Re: FluTrackers Invited to Washington D.C. to Media Session on H1N1

Re: FluTrackers Invited to Washington D.C. to Media Session on H1N1

mixin said:
.........I do think it's an honor to be recognized and invited. It took a lot of work to come from a small little flu forum to an entity that gets an invite from the govt. And I appreciate our flubies who take the time out of their personal lives to attend these meeting.

Whether you trust the govt or not, having a presence there at the meeting is a good thing.
Click to expand...
There's nothing wrong with being "studied" by policy makers. I'd say it's a valuable piece of flu planning.

If the public never participates in government, they cannot expect to see any changes they desire.

Sharon will do fine. This is far from her first contact with government agencies regarding pandemic planning. Her approach to the entire pandemic communications issue is great - this forum is the proof.

.
 
Re: FluTrackers Invited to Washington D.C. to Media Session on H1N1

Re: FluTrackers Invited to Washington D.C. to Media Session on H1N1

Really - we have not discussed the most important issue -

What to wear? :D


 
Re: FluTrackers Invited to Washington D.C. to Media Session on H1N1

Re: FluTrackers Invited to Washington D.C. to Media Session on H1N1

prepdeb said:
Maybe full PPE? :D
Click to expand...

Get some of those "fashion" N95 masks for everyone.

fashion-swine-flue-mask1.jpg

.
 
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