http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091024/ap_on_go_pr_wh/us_obama_swine_flu WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama declared the swine flu outbreak a national emergency, giving his health chief the power to let hospitals move emergency rooms offsite to speed treatment and protect noninfected patients. The declaration, signed Friday night and announced Saturday, comes with the disease more prevalent than ever in the country and production delays undercutting the government's initial, optimistic estimates that as many as 120 million doses of the vaccine could be available by mid-October. Health authorities say more than 1,000 people in the United States, including almost 100 children, have died from the strain of flu known as H1N1, and 46 states have widespread flu activity. So far only 11 million doses have gone out to health departments, doctor's offices and other providers, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials. Administration officials said the declaration was a pre-emptive move designed to make decisions easier when they need to be made. Officials said the move was not in response to any single development. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius now has authority to bypass federal rules when opening alternative care sites, such as offsite hospital centers at schools or community centers if hospitals seek permission. Some hospitals have opened drive-thrus and drive-up tent clinics to screen and treat swine flu patients. The idea is to keep infectious people out of regular emergency rooms and away from other sick patients. Hospitals could modify patient rules — for example, requiring them to give less information during a hectic time — to quicken access to treatment, with government approval, under the declaration. It also addresses a financial question for hospitals — reimbursement for treating people at sites not typically approved. For instance, federal rules do not allow hospitals to put up treatment tents more than 250 yards away from the doors; if the tents are 300 yards or more away, typically federal dollars won't go to pay for treatment. Administration officials said those rules might not make sense while fighting the swine flu, especially if the best piece of pavement is in the middle of a parking lot and some medical centers already are putting in place parts of their emergency plans. The national emergency declaration was the second of two steps needed to give Sebelius extraordinary powers during a crisis. On April 26, the administration declared swine flu a public health emergency, allowing the shipment of roughly 12 million doses of flu-fighting medications from a federal stockpile to states in case they eventually needed them. At the time, there were 20 confirmed cases in the U.S. of people recovering easily. There was no vaccine against swine flu, but the CDC had taken the initial step necessary for producing one. "As a nation, we have prepared at all levels of government, and as individuals and communities, taking unprecedented steps to counter the emerging pandemic," Obama wrote in Saturday's declaration. He said the pandemic keeps evolving, the rates of illness are rising rapidly in many areas and there's a potential "to overburden health care resources." The government now hopes to have about 50 million doses of swine flu vaccine out by mid-November and 150 million in December. The flu virus has to be grown in chicken eggs, and the yield hasn't been as high as was initially hoped, officials have said. "Many millions" of Americans have had swine flu so far, according to an estimate that CDC Director Dr. Thomas Frieden gave Friday. The government doesn't test everyone to confirm swine flu so it doesn't have an exact count. He also said there have been more than 20,000 hospitalizations.
"Many Millions" sounds like an awful lot. I believe I've mentioned this before, but one small study found that those that had a seasonal flu vaccine (despite what the CDC says) has some variable degree of protection from the H1N1. My family has had the seasonal vaccine in us long enough to be reasonably protected. My son has had the first part of the H1N1 vaccine for about five days. We all took the seasonal shot. He received the H1N1 FluMist. None of the vaccines have caused us any problems. I was a bit nervous him receiving the FluMist, but he took it really well. My wife and I need to get H1N1, but obviously it'll be awhile now since the Health Dept has cancelled their 10-27 clinic.
I think it is so nice that despite not being able to get the H1N1 vaccine out quick enough for many, we're still giving 10% of what we have and produce to other countries. Should really make you feel noble if someone in your family dies from the swine flu.
Well, we got here in our house. 3 of the 4 of us have been miserably ill. My 3 year old had it for a little less than a week and overall bounced back pretty quickly. My 7 year old was the next to get it, and she has a cough left, but otherwise feels fine. I got it next and, 4 days later, am still completely miserable. It's hard for me to say whether it's worse than the regular flu because we always get flu shots and any 'flu' we get is typically pretty mild. This has knocked me on my butt for a full 4 days and I can't imagine how I'm going to make it to work tomorrow. I'll have been fever free for 24 hours, so technically I'm allowed to go back (per doctor orders), but I don't see being very productive.
Honestly, you didn't have to go out of country to get that sense last Wednesday at the Health Department. Since it was basically the only place in the area to get a H1N1, a person had a chance to see the diversity. By far, the vast majority of those in line were hispanics. Now, I certainly do not oppose those here legally from obtaining a vaccine, however how bad would it be for one citizen to be turned away next Wednesday because of illegals having the opportunity to get a shot simply because they showed up. I really do not want to come across as inhumane. Yes, everyone that wants one should be able to get a H1N1 shot, but those that have overstayed their time and disappeared or have simply sneaked through the back door should not be given treatment in our country if citizens are neglected. I also noticed very few black people in line to receive the vaccine. I had read a poll awhile back that an even lower number of African Americans polled would get the vaccine.
There is a legacy among the black community regarding medical practices of federal and state governments, which is not a good one. Moreover, the allegation that HIV/AIDS was a disease that the CIA developed to infect the black community is still given some credence by some in the black community. For many reasons, the black population suffers higher rates of hypertension, diabetes, and a host of other illnesses than the white community. It seems that it would be easy to engender some doubt in the minds of the black community that the H1N1 flu virus is safe and effective. Of course, we all probably entertain some moments of doubts when getting vaccinated, as no medicine or therapy is 100% safe and effective. There is always a risk/benefit ratio that must be considered.
We have a number of folks on this site that speak of conspiracy theories regarding the H1N1 Flu Virus vaccine and why would you assume this population would be any different. There is historical proof that at least up until 1972 that they were treated as guinea pigs. If anyone has a right to doubt this vaccine it is our black brother and sisters.
Since we are all the same on the inside, then I guess I shouldn't get the vaccine either? Or is there a separate vaccine for the white folks? I am not believing this.
Exactly, we are the same on the inside and there is no reason to have a separate vaccine or to use a particular race for medical experimentation. I will be getting the H1N1 vaccine as soon as I can.
That's just the point Hught. ANYONE who uses what has happened in the past, however unfortunate and unjustified, to NOT get the vaccine is just dumb to the bone. They aren't giving a separate vaccine, so what is the issue? I probably won't, but has nothing to do with any of that. I'm healthy as a horse, no need to waste it on me when my public exposure to it is minimal. I am undecided about DS, but since apparently some are too stupid to keep their sick kids home, I suppose he ought to.
Stupidity is something that can always be counted upon for sure. However, parents do not always have to be the blame. From my understanding, H1N1 can be contagious something like 24 hours before symptoms appear. While its true that 1,000 deaths nationwide isn't that great, we haven't really seen what will happen once flu season peaks with the typical strains along with the H1N1. There was a study done not long ago that infected ferrets. Lab ferrets that were deliberately infected with both seasonal and H1N1 flu viruses were much more sick than those who had either virus. Plus, H1N1 has been said to affect the lungs with greater likelihood. I think most people are being lulled into a false sense of security. Once people start traveling for the holidays, we're likely going to see many people with the flu and those unlucky people who contract H1N1 while suffering a chronic health condition like asthma or maybe have a bad cold or the seasonal flu, could suffer much worse.
