Pandemic Breaks Out

[TapeDeck]

email from my school:

GOVERNING BOARD ADMINISTRATION
John Lewandowski, President Doug Wilson, Ed.D., Superintendent
Eric Brandriff, Vice President Carolyn Dumler, Assistant Superintendent
Suzanne Hopkins, Member Jan Truitt, Ed.D., Assistant Superintendent
Maribel Lopez, Member Dan Contorno, Chief Financial Officer
Dan Post, Member Norma Johnson, Executive Director
April 28, 2009


Dear Parent/Guardian:
We are writing to inform you of a health issue that has recently received considerable attention in the media and is understandably a concern for parents. As you may have heard on the news, over 60 cases of swine flu have been reported in the United States with one confirmed case in Arizona at this time. While there is no cause for panic, we felt it important to give you some facts about swine flu and what can be done to prevent the spread of the illness.
The symptoms of swine influenza A (H1N1) are similar to that of a regular seasonal flu. They include fever, muscle aches, headache, fatigue and coughing; they may also include vomiting and diarrhea. Spread of the swine flu is the same as that of a seasonal flu. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing by people with influenza. It is believed that the seasonal influenza vaccine does not provide protection against swine flu.
While there are no confirmed cases in Pima County, county health officials believe it is quite possible that some may be reported at some point in the future. Therefore, it is important to take precautions and to follow the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines to ensure a safe and healthy school environment. The best way to prevent the spread of swine flu and other illnesses is by practicing good hygiene. Below are some individual steps everyone can take to prevent and respond to the swine flu:
• Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. (Sing the happy birthday song twice while washing.)
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after it is used and then wash your hands.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Avoid close contact with people who are ill.
• STAY HOME – if sick stay home from work or school. Please do not send your child to school. The first few days are when a virus is most contagious. Please remember that children experiencing a fever of 101 F or over, diarrhea, or vomiting are to be symptom free for a minimum of 24 hours before returning to school.
• If you or your child is sick, CALL your doctor, primary care provider, urgent care center, emergency room FIRST, BEFORE you leave the house. Early treatment of suspected cases is important.
• MAKE A PLAN – make a plan on what you and your family would do if the babysitter is ill; your child is ill; if you have to stay home to take care of someone who is ill; what you will do if your child’s school closes and you still have to go to work.
The CDC and local and state health agencies are continuing to work together to investigate and monitor this situation.
The health and welfare of our students is paramount. Please be assured the Marana Unified School District is using appropriate measures to prevent the spread of the swine flu. Employees have received information regarding prevention and control strategies including promoting proper hygiene with students and staff. The District’s Director of Heath Services remains in communication with the Pima County Health Department and school nurses are also working with school staff to track number of
absences to identify trends and ensure early detection and prompt medical evaluation of any suspected cases of flu. Our standard operating procedures also include cleaning and sanitizing with approved products effective against this strand of influenza.
Please know that in the event a swine flu case is ever identified and confirmed within our District we will work closely with the Pima County Health Department, the Arizona Department of Health Services and other agencies on this issue. Under the health department’s guidance, MUSD could be asked to close a school for up to seven days with one confirmed or suspected case.
We wanted to provide you with this information so we are all better educated on this topic and to encourage students to practice good hygiene all year long. Practicing good hygiene also helps prevent common colds, the flu and other ailments that frequently cause students to be ill. If you have any questions, contact your health care provider or the school nurse at your child’s school.
The Marana Unified School District will continue to monitor this situation and will inform you of any situation which affects our students and schools. We appreciate your efforts in helping maintain a healthy learning environment for all students.
Sincerely,
Doug Wilson, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Additional up-to-date information including outbreak areas and tips for outbreak prevention can be found by visiting the following sites:
Arizona Resources
• Arizona Hotline for residents with questions, 1-800-352-3792
• Pima County Health Department, (520) 243-7797 http://www.pimahealth.org/disease/swineflu/swine_flu_arizona.html
CDC Resources
• Center of Disease Control Surveillance website: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/index.htm
• Center for Disease Control, key facts regarding swine flu in English: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/key_facts.htm
• Center for Disease Control, key facts regarding swine flu in Spanish: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/espanol/swine_espanol.htm
• Center of Disease Control, Stopping Germs at Home, School and Work: http://www.cdc.gov/germstopper/home_work_school.htm
CDC school materials and posters:
• Seasonal Flu Information for Schools & Childcare Providers: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/school/
• Stop the Spread of Germs site at http://www.cdc.gov/germstopper/
• Cover your Coughs website at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/covercough.htm
District Information
• Marana Unified School District website at http://www.maranausd.org/

[Ad Bot]

[Solid]

email from my school:
-snip-

Hahaha.

[Pliny]

The worst part for me it that I live in NEW YORK CITY. I feel so panicked I almost don't want to leave home. I hear that keeping your Hygiene up is a good way to keep this disease from getting to you. Keep Hand Sanitizer handy, don't touch your mouth, eyes, ears, or nose of someone sneezes on you (obviously). Good luck staying alive....... (0_0) Oh, and a Death from the disease was confirmed in Texas just now....

[Lalam24]

The worst part for me it that I live in NEW YORK CITY. I feel so panicked I almost don't want to leave home. I hear that keeping your Hygiene up is a good way to keep this disease from getting to you. Keep Hand Sanitizer handy, don't touch your mouth, eyes, ears, or nose of someone sneezes on you (obviously). Good luck staying alive....... (0_0) Oh, and a Death from the disease was confirmed in Texas just now....

The death was a Mexican infant brought to the US for special treatment.  The Media will persist on considering this to be the first US Swine Flu death, but it really isn't.

And, if you're abled to get the treatment(not a cure) right when you get Swine Flu, then you should be fine.  Don't panic over getting it, but still carry out the recommendations for avoiding it.

[Retz]

It is just a flu. Mexico doesnt have a health care system like we do, some flu vaccines dont stop all flus. If you do get it, you have the flu.


It's that simple, you aren't going to die neither the world.

[Ronin]

The death was a Mexican infant brought to the US for special treatment.  The Media will persist on considering this to be the first US Swine Flu death, but it really isn't.

And, if you're abled to get the treatment(not a cure) right when you get Swine Flu, then you should be fine.  Don't panic over getting it, but still carry out the recommendations for avoiding it.

First Swine Flu death in the United States, regardless of boarders.

Am I wrong? No.

[Bisjac]

i remember the anthrax threat. now that was funny.
one of the most curable sicknesses in history killed a few elderly rdy to die anyways people. and everyone freaks out

[Harm94]

[Azerath]

Good thing I live in Washington.
Washington - Where nothing ever loving happens.
Oh yeah, besides the lame ass dumbasses who smuggle in dish washing soap.
WHO THE forget SMUGGLES DISH WASHING SOAP!?

[orange wolf]

Cuban dish washing soap.

[Pliny]

GOOD IDEA!

Folks, it's time to grab our pitchforks & gasmasks, barricade our doors & windows, and submerge into the wonderful world of.....
DYSTOPIA!

Oh, and don't forget the Molotov roostertails!

[Meekl]

WE'RE ALL GONNA DIE!!!

AAH HOLY GRAPE!!

[Lalam24]

First Swine Flu death in the United States, regardless of boarders.

Am I wrong? No.

No, you're not.  But that isn't what you'd look at in this situation: People in the US, especially mothers of newborns, are now going to be even more worried about the death rate.  This is because they think the treatment is now failing, or that the strain is getting worse.  When, from as far as we know, it hasn't much changed since a week ago.

From what I've heard, some media stations had only released the fact that an infant, in the US, had died from Swine Flu.  And yes, that is true, but they didn't release the additional information.

The media likes to cause panic: let us refer back to the Y2K.

[Miga]

Two confirmed cases in Arizona.
Ghoul, Khorde and I are doomed. :(

[DrMobius]

It responds to over the counter medication.
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/

The swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is susceptible to the prescription antiviral drugs oseltamivir and zanamivir.