Take two aspirin and call DHSFollow

Percentage wise it's pretty high - about 7% compared to less than one percent normally.



Maybe, but from what I'm reading it's mainly hitting young to middle aged adults, and hitting them harder than expected. That's why it's been cited as a cause for alarm (and also explains why they're getting it, maybe, as those groups typically don't go in for flu shots).

Them dirty Mexicans is crossin our borders, infectin our youth.

Actually a large number of the deaths in Mexico were otherwise healthy 25 to 50 year olds. The flu can cause more problem in healthy young people because the immune system can over react and attack the lungs, causing respiratory illness and death.

...

SHUT DOWN EVERYTHING!

I think SARS has a mortality rate of less than 1% with people 24 and under. 25-44 increased it to 6%, and 15% 45-65. (Sorry, numbers are from 2003). 25-50 year olds seem to increase flu related issues. So those results wouldn't be that unusual.

This will probably be just like SARS, but instead of being focused in Asia with the western world on the fringes, freaking out, it will be here in the Western world. Probably means more cases for us, but similar overall results.

No. My husband stated that they are a benefit program (and then elaborated about the various umbrellas: DOS, DOJ, DHS and one other that I have forgotten). My question to him was why DHS was involved because it didn't make any sense to me why they would become involved with something the CDC should handle unless it involved bioterrorism.

As he explained it DHS isn't in it for a FEMA reason but specifically border crossing since it was stated somewhere that the cases originated from people who traveled to Mexico. (he also made an offhand comment about how timely this event happened with all the other problems that were on the forefront of our Nations concern thus taking the heat off of a new sitting President. )

This whole situation is quite strange... (let me know if you want me to ask him any other questions. He worked contraband for ICE. He should be able to access my account while I take Suki to her Infant Aquatics class...)

Yeah, really the last thing we need is an epidemic just as the economy is starting to show modest signs of life again.

How many different things are there to say about this?

Like what?

Yes, but the question, that I had anyway, was why DHS has taken the lead with this flu epidemic. I didn't think it was because it's a FEMA role (and FEMA is part of DHS). That's all.

I think one of the big reasons for making DHS was so that the various security agencies could grab the expertise from FEMA in dealing with stuffs that involve tons of public peoples.

My buddy that works for FEMA is still jaded..and pissy.

Not a huge range, but our organisation in it's gbajiesque belief that rephrasing the same thing repeatedly will be effective.

In fairness, the briefings are directed at the various professional groups, confirming that their plans are ready to kick in if needed.

If things do get crappy, the arrangements are pretty sophisticated over here - standing down elective surgery to free up acute beds, sharing physicians between institutions, establishing contained treatment ares, mobilising Tamiflu dispensaries for front-line staff so we don't have to cope with a shortage of medics and nurses, distributing Tamiflu to acute care centres, standing up C-and-C centres to co-ordinate people, beds and kit across each region. . . .

Busy busy busy.

Not according to Stephen Quayle.



You just knew the tinfoil hat types had to chime in. I'm sure Varrus thinks it's a swell idea.