Swine flu threats heavily exaggerated
Issue date: 9/8/09 Section: Opinion
Editorial Board
Independent Florida Alligator (UWIRE)
The government is acting like back-to-school season will somehow resemble "28 Days Later."
The President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology claims that a Swine Flu epidemic has the potential to cause up to 90,000 deaths and leave 1.8 million Americans hospitalized, a statistic that has erupted a bit of a panic.
Even though the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released a counter-statement claiming that the death tolls would likely not be that high, and the number of deaths thus far does not suggest a future zombie apocalypse, many measures are being taken to prevent a possible disaster.
The University of Florida, for one, had a bright idea when it realized imposing such stringent attendance criteria could encourage infected kids to come to class. This semester, students do not have to show up to exams if they are sick. This is a good idea despite the fact many will take advantage of it (duh).
Among other preventative measure that seems like a good idea: The state of New York is offering free vaccines to its residents, and "Sesame Street" is doing a special about hand washing (and so is "Plaza Sesamo" in Mexico, which is the cutest thing we've ever heard).
The state of Massachusetts, however, is taking the idea of encouraging people to stay home and hygienic a little too far. Currently making its way through the state legislature is the Pandemic Response Bill. If passed, the bill will allow the governor to declare a health emergency and allow law enforcement officials to forcibly enter the homes of citizens and quarantine or vaccinate them.
Whether this bill is a response to Barack Obama's team's report is unclear. However, if it is, the Obama team needs to issue another report that takes the Centers for Disease Control's findings into consideration. The people at the CDC know what they're talking about, and if its slightly less abysmal view of the coming school year will allay American's fears, it should be made common knowledge.
Independent Florida Alligator (UWIRE)
The government is acting like back-to-school season will somehow resemble "28 Days Later."
The President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology claims that a Swine Flu epidemic has the potential to cause up to 90,000 deaths and leave 1.8 million Americans hospitalized, a statistic that has erupted a bit of a panic.
Even though the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released a counter-statement claiming that the death tolls would likely not be that high, and the number of deaths thus far does not suggest a future zombie apocalypse, many measures are being taken to prevent a possible disaster.
The University of Florida, for one, had a bright idea when it realized imposing such stringent attendance criteria could encourage infected kids to come to class. This semester, students do not have to show up to exams if they are sick. This is a good idea despite the fact many will take advantage of it (duh).
Among other preventative measure that seems like a good idea: The state of New York is offering free vaccines to its residents, and "Sesame Street" is doing a special about hand washing (and so is "Plaza Sesamo" in Mexico, which is the cutest thing we've ever heard).
The state of Massachusetts, however, is taking the idea of encouraging people to stay home and hygienic a little too far. Currently making its way through the state legislature is the Pandemic Response Bill. If passed, the bill will allow the governor to declare a health emergency and allow law enforcement officials to forcibly enter the homes of citizens and quarantine or vaccinate them.
Whether this bill is a response to Barack Obama's team's report is unclear. However, if it is, the Obama team needs to issue another report that takes the Centers for Disease Control's findings into consideration. The people at the CDC know what they're talking about, and if its slightly less abysmal view of the coming school year will allay American's fears, it should be made common knowledge.
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