TX: H1N1 is Here

[hawkeye]

It's officially "in the area" and schools are the litmus test? I'm sorry if I don't understand this logic.



H1N1 is Here

Amarillo--City officials say the H1N1 virus is in our area, but how they handle it from here on it will be changing. Instead of counting cases, Dr. Todd Bell with the Potter/Randall Health Authority said they'll begin to look at how the virus is affecting the community as a whole. Bell said they'll look at absentee rates at schools to determine how to respond to the pandemic. City commissioners got the report during tonight's regularly scheduled meeting.
They do know more about the virus than they did when reports first came out back in April. To date, Bell said most of the confirmed cases are in kids under 18. The symptoms are much like a mild respiratory illness. The best defense: wash your hands often, cough into your arm, and stay home if you're sick.

 

[Lizw]

Re: TX: H1N1 is Here

It's officially "in the area" and schools are the litmus test? I'm sorry if I don't understand this logic.

Amarillo--City officials say the H1N1 virus is in our area, but how they handle it from here on it will be changing. Instead of counting cases, Dr. Todd Bell with the Potter/Randall Health Authority said they'll begin to look at how the virus is affecting the community as a whole. Bell said they'll look at absentee rates at schools to determine how to respond to the pandemic. City commissioners got the report during tonight's regularly scheduled meeting.

I suppose the reasoning is that the absentee rate in schools reflects (or at least is no lower than) the overall rate in the community. Perhaps that's reasonable in a community where school-aged children are the largest demographic group (not saying that's the case for Amarillo, because I don't know).

 

[HenryN]

Re: TX: H1N1 is Here

I suppose the reasoning is that the absentee rate in schools reflects (or at least is no lower than) the overall rate in the community. Perhaps that's reasonable in a community where school-aged children are the largest demographic group (not saying that's the case for Amarillo, because I don't know).

They can't hide the cases in school (like the deaths are hidden because they are no long reported in TX), especially when they begin prior to the start of flu season. Saying there is no CONFIRMED H1N1 gets real old real fast.

 

[snatamur]

Re: TX: H1N1 is Here

Think of the absentee rates at schools as an indicator, if it rises and is followed by an increase in hospitalizations and later deaths, the mild, friendly H1N1 has grown teeth. A pocket has developed and ........................
On the other hand if the kids are exposed to H1N1 and it's variations they might develope immunity, before the arrival of the vaccine, or inspite of it or perhaps in addition to it. This would be an indication of who is going to be caring for their parents when things break loose, if our hospitals get over whelmed.
Having our kids go to school now is like putting out a bowl of honey, without having any clue what, it might attract, how much of it might be attracted and what might happen afterward. This too is an indication......?
Lets hope for the best!