OK, just the highlights here, and I will write more tomorrow. But for God’s sake, people, listen and think, there is No reason for panic over vaccine shortages or the fear-factor about H1N1. It can be minimized even if you come down with it, and by being reasonable, You will be doing the best possible help for those who are most at-risk and in-need for special care.
So, some recent facts from today’s news -
46 states - widespread H1N1 and increasing.
95% of college campuses are heavily hit by H1N1.
2500 currently or recently hospitalized, at minimum, at present.
90 dead, 11 children dead, recently.
This is all from NBC News so you can verify.
Critical shortages, lineups, public getting frantic, in Milwaukee, Los Angeles, Cincinnati, Rockville MD, Portland, Las Vegas, and of course Virginia
Only 11.6M vaccines available for the foreseeable future.
Now, please listen and read carefully.
There is no reason to panic or to line-up for hours and days.
What people need to do is take preventive measures and this means doing a number of actions simultaneously. Yes, it is effort, it requires attention, but it is better than panicking or spending hours in lines outdoors, risking more infection, and reducing immune strength.
1. MINIMIZE close contact. Control the direction of your breath intake.
2. Eat well and eat properly. This includes normal, balanced meals and vitamins. Focus on balance, and that means type and quantity.
3. AVOID SMOKING and that includes secondary smoke.
4. AVOID anything approaching excess drinking - Never get “Drunk”.
5. MINIMIZE stress, aggravation, worry, anxiety.
6. Avoid rapid changes in heat and cold and exposure to cold-inducing elements (e.g., cold rain).
7. TALK. Especially to your children. LISTEN. Nobody comes down with the flu without a gradual set of symptoms. If they are pushed off, not addressed, this can be the matter of life and death. Take care also with the most important at-home treatment - REST. Reduction of physical exhaustion. Plenty of sleep, warmth, and clear, clean air. Cut out not only the smoke but the grease and any irritants from cooking.
8. If you think this sounds simplistic, just consult the medical books and your doctor, and pay attention to history. Remember - not everyone died from the 1918 Flu.
(to be continued)