as our descent back into the Middle Ages continues

[guru]

H1N1 looking to be mildest flu outbreak on record.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34323690/ns ... alth_news/

[Marlow]

H1N1 looking to be mildest flu outbreak on record.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34323690/ns ... alth_news/

Finally got my shot ($18 at CVS) over the weekend, but it sure seems like the cycle has run its course here. Is it possible the vaccines kept it down, or was this the Y2K Hype all over again?

[bad hammy]

. . . or was this the Y2K Hype all over again?

The Y2K thing was no hype. As someone in the computer trenches I know that tons of work was done by tons of folks in the years leading up to 2000 to make sure it was a non-event.

[Daisy]

to make sure it was a non-event.

Right, sometimes the hype is worth it to make something happen so nothing happens.

[Marlow]

. . . or was this the Y2K Hype all over again?

The Y2K thing was no hype. As someone in the computer trenches I know that tons of work was done by tons of folks in the years leading up to 2000 to make sure it was a non-event.

Then my question stands, did the vaccines and the Health Alerts (quintupling the profits of th Purell people) actually make the difference?

[Daisy]

My guess would be the hygiene precautions reduced a lot of cases. My sons class room has a policy of washing hands before entering the classroom. They have a soap dispenser right at the door that was installed at the beginning of the semester. Where I work, people who were ill were actively encouraged to stay at home. For once people acted on the advice.

[Marlow]

My guess would be the hygiene precautions reduced a lot of cases.

Can this stick? Have we permanently raised the culture's consciousness in re: viral infections?

[Daisy]

Have we permanently raised the culture's consciousness in re: viral infections?

I doubt that, but certainly transiently.

[guru]

- Overall infection rate is 8%, lower than average flu season(20%), much lower than typical "pandemic"(25-50%)

- Death rate has been less than 1 in 2000 of those who contract H1N1, lower than average flu season, much lower than "experts" predicted(1 in every 100)

[Daisy]

My feeling here is there should be a collection sigh of relief rather than doubting the response.