Worn out...

[j_cheney]

But no, I don't have the flu.

Conestoga was awesome, and I don't think I had any real 'social ineptitude' moments. (There was one 'confused dumb blonde' moment, but the recipient of my idiocy didn't seem too upset.)

I have many things to do this week for the wedding shower I'm hosting after church next Sunday, so I can't do all the catch-up (or the obligatory con report) today. Must go purchase purty napkins and coordinate hostesses.

Having read The Great Influenza last fall, I'm rather creeped out by the stats coming out of Mexico, particularly the one that notes that the fatalities fall into the 20-45 age group. I will be washing my hands a LOT in the next several months.

BTW, antibacterial gels are antibacterial, not antiviral. Doesn't hurt to use them, but don't use them in place of washing your hands. Use them in addition to washing your hands. And stop touching your face.

/PSA

Comments

[amysisson.livejournal.com]

I haven't read that book, but I admit I am a little apprehensive.... I remember being told by a doctor friend that the 1918 influenza mostly attacked healthy young adults, as opposed to those with weaker immune systems. He said it was almost if the virus triggered the healthy folks immune systems so effectively that they went into overdrive, such that it began attacking all the healthy cells too.

[j-cheney.livejournal.com]

That's exactly what happened, according to the book. THe interesting part was that the initial outbreak (in Kansas, the book thinks) was almost completely non-fatal.....but then the virus took a turn through India and China and came back to Europe and America in a 'new and improved' version. That's the version that killed people.

I told my husband I was almost tempted to try to go out and catch it in its less virulent early form....

But that would be pretty stupid, I admit.

[namelessarchon.livejournal.com]

I thought the same thing... so maybe not all that stupid, lol.

[j-cheney.livejournal.com]

;o)

[namelessarchon.livejournal.com]

There's no doubt this is flu is creepy...

[j-cheney.livejournal.com]

At least we're better prepared if it goes 1918 on us...

[aliettedb.livejournal.com]

I think we're better prepared for this one than the 1918 one (for starters, we don't have a WW in the background; and we have better medicine). It is slightly worrying, but not yet totally freaking me out (on the totally unfair side, I do live further away from Mexico...)
Fingers crossed...

[j-cheney.livejournal.com]

And in 1918, they were just beginning to figure out what caused the flu. In fact, they did figure it out about the time that the epidemic petered out....kinda sad.

THey've already said that modern anti-virals will work against this if administered within 72 hours, so yes, we're way ahead of 1918...

[gabriel-writes.livejournal.com]

It's creeping me out too...but FWIW, we do have more safeguards and understanding then the folks did in 1918, plus with school just about being let out, the kids won't be so apt to spread it amongst themselves.

I do wonder how many people are taking false comfort in the antibactierial route...

[j-cheney.livejournal.com]

I'd say most people don't realize that there's a difference between bacteria and viruses....so it's probably quite a few.

[(Anonymous)]

(moves hands away from face. Moves them again.) Oh man, The Great Influenza was an excellent book. And yeah, the first thing I thought was that in 1918 the first round of the flu was pretty mild and then it roared back the next year.
Patrice Sarath

[j-cheney.livejournal.com]

Fortunately, we understand it a lot better now, which should make a big difference...

[jjschwabach.livejournal.com]

The CDC and WHO are also particularly disturbed by the age range that's dying. They are also some confused that people in the States, who brought it back with them from Mexico, seem to have a milder strain.

The number of cases is on the rise, fairly rapidly, when you consider that infection is a mushroom effect.

But I remember the previous swine flu scare, in which the panic turned out to be far deadlier than the flu itself. This does seem to be much worse.

[j-cheney.livejournal.com]

We are, fortunately, much better prepared for it this time.

[displacedtexan.livejournal.com]

Time to stock up on the guns, ammo, masks, gloves, MREs, meds....

[rclementmoore.livejournal.com]

I have a doctor friend that just posted about how Swine Flu is not the apocalypse. http://vdansk.livejournal.com/

"Antibacterial" anything is a marketing craze that I wish would go the hell away. If you wash your hands properly, there is no significant added benefit from an antimicrobial like you'd find in a grocery store product. It is not just meaningless (most people don't use them properly), it's harmful, possibly leading to new and tougher strains of bugs.

Alcohol based hand gels (Purell, etc.) ARE effective against bacteria AND viruses when used correctly. So is proper hand washing.

Er, end of rant. :-) Hi J. *waves* Sorry my first comment is a ranty one!

[j-cheney.livejournal.com]

I'm sick of antibacterial as well. I've ranted about this before myself. ;o)

And nice to see you ;o)

[wbledbetter.livejournal.com]

Well, I'm just going to agree that Conestoga was indeed awesome and will reserve comments about the flu. *cough cough* ;) It was fun hanging out. See you at Soonercon!

[j-cheney.livejournal.com]

Looking forward to it. Nice to meet you in person ;o)

[j-cheney.livejournal.com]

Oh, and the Rejections log can be found here: http://community.livejournal.com/ra_log/

[wbledbetter.livejournal.com]

Thanks! All signed up!

[j-cheney.livejournal.com]

Cool!