All I know is that if the Swine flu becomes a pandemic, I won't be able to play chess anymore!
swine flu
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Apr 29, 2009
0
#3
The reported first "U.S. death from swine flu was confirmed." Actually originated in Mexico and crossed the borders to Houston for treatment and while the death occurred in America the illness originated in Mexico. In my opinion it is a misleading phrasing by the press.
BBC Report on the Pandemic
As a parent my heart goes out to the family.
To those who say "Do you know how many people get the flu and die from it on a yearly basis?"
I say to them that you need to remember the 1918 flu pandemic which killed 21.5 million Americans and 30 million worldwide. With the larger concentration of people today this type of pandemic would likely kill millions more this time. Like the saying goes "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."
Learn more about it here.
1918 Pandemic
its kinda lik normal flu
u cach it if u lik shake hands wth som1 who has it and sneezd in2 thr hnd: etc. and den shook yr hand and then u put yr hnd 2 yr mouth
thats how u cach it
so wat im sayin is :
dont put yr hnd 2 yr mouth, nose or ears and wsh yr hnds b4 evry meal
It's pretty much like the normal flu. The only difference is that we haven't been exposed to it before.
No, I think that it's quite clear that it is much more virulent than your typical flu virus. The fact that it is young adults that appear the most susceptible to points to this flu triggering a cytokine storm reaction where it is actually the host's immune system itself that causes the worst of the symptoms and ultimately the deaths.
How much more virulent is up for debate -- if you look at the number of fatalities compared to the number of confirmed cases the fatality percentage looks staggeringly high, but it's important to remember that this is "confirmed" cases. There are likely many additional unreported or unconfirmed cases that bring that percentage down significantly.
Bottom line? The data's just not in yet, but wash your hands and play your chess here just in case.
The Grobe?!!!!
Ween fan and a chess fan? Be my friend. I have no flu symptoms! 
Apr 29, 2009
0
#9
Keyif wrote:
To those who say "Do you know how many people get the flu and die from it on a yearly basis?"
I say to them that you need to remember the 1918 flu pandemic which killed 21.5 million Americans and 30 million worldwide. With the larger concentration of people today this type of pandemic would likely kill millions more this time. Like the saying goes "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."
Learn more about it here.
1918 Pandemic
There are more people today but it wouldn't likely kill more people this time, in fact it's far more likely to kill far less. Medical science was not nearly as good in 1918 as it is today, nor were other things such as general hygiene and knowledge about health in the general public domain.
Apr 29, 2009
0
#10
From what I hear, Israel decided to reject the name "swine flu" in favor of "Mexico flu!" Thanks a lot, Israel... I just hope other countries don't follow your lead. *thinks about the importance of perceived health, safety, and security threat in prejudiced attitudes and actions, especially towards Mexicans in the US, and worries about having to walk out of his apartment each day*
Why is this in gereral CHESS discussion? It's a fine thread and all, and I'm aware that I didn't have to click it, but I think it's a good question.
I was wondering how long 'til someone posted this.
This seems like a topic for this group: http://www.chess.com/groups/view/open-discussion
The press is making it out like it's something new. It is not. Flu viruses in humans, swines nd birds are very similar and have been exchanging DNA for as long as it's documented, probably as far back as the dawn of time.
Swines are anatomically the most similar domestic animal to humans, and swine flu regularly jumps species. In fact, this happens almost yearly. It's the way new strands of flu are made.
The "high" death toll (7% and dropping) is IMO more the result of illtreatment, caused by the cover up attempt of the Mexican department of health. As we can see in America, when properly treated, most patients recover within a week.
Apr 29, 2009
0
#14
AMcHarg wrote:
Keyif wrote:
To those who say "Do you know how many people get the flu and die from it on a yearly basis?"
I say to them that you need to remember the 1918 flu pandemic which killed 21.5 million Americans and 30 million worldwide. With the larger concentration of people today this type of pandemic would likely kill millions more this time. Like the saying goes "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."
Learn more about it here.
1918 Pandemic
There are more people today but it wouldn't likely kill more people this time, in fact it's far more likely to kill far less. Medical science was not nearly as good in 1918 as it is today, nor were other things such as general hygiene and knowledge about health in the general public domain.
You are correct that the medical field is much more advanced but so is the transit system. In fact the EU is thinking about banning all travel to Mexico. So while the death toll may not be as high I would imagine that the economic damage could be much higher and given the current economic climate it is really bad timing.
Apr 29, 2009
0
#15
Kingfisher wrote:
The press is making it out like it's something new. It is not. Flu viruses in humans, swines nd birds are very similar and have been exchanging DNA for as long as it's documented, probably as far back as the dawn of time.
Swines are anatomically the most similar domestic animal to humans, and swine flu regularly jumps species. In fact, this happens almost yearly. It's the way new strands of flu are made.
The "high" death toll (7% and dropping) is IMO more the result of illtreatment, caused by the cover up attempt of the Mexican department of health. As we can see in America, when properly treated, most patients recover within a week.
Very true about the death rate dropping and part of this is due to information. If people hear about it and see their MD early enough it helps stop the spread.
As an aside check out the possibility of using pigs as donors for humans.
Kingfisher wrote:
The press is making it out like it's something new. It is not. Flu viruses in humans, swines nd birds are very similar and have been exchanging DNA for as long as it's documented, probably as far back as the dawn of time.
Swines are anatomically the most similar domestic animal to humans, and swine flu regularly jumps species. In fact, this happens almost yearly. It's the way new strands of flu are made.
The "high" death toll (7% and dropping) is IMO more the result of illtreatment, caused by the cover up attempt of the Mexican department of health. As we can see in America, when properly treated, most patients recover within a week.
yeah, the swine flu jumps jumps species often, but this strand is a combination of swine, bird and human flu and there appears to be no immunity to it, so that's why they are assuming that there will be so many more deaths
Conjecture.
TheGrobe wrote:
Conjecture.
Educated guess, mind you!
Apr 29, 2009
0
#19
It is much more likely that we have some immunity due to exposure to previous seasonal strains, although there is not yet any substantial evidence to prove or disprove that.
Certainly if there was no immunity at all then the situation would be much worse. Although there is not yet a vaccine for this specific strain, drugs that have been used against previous strains are also proving to be effective against this one.
Don't forget, every new strain is treated as a potential pandemic.
As others have identified, the early statistics including the mortality rate are not useful for drawing conclusions, since the majority of the victims were inadequately treated in Mexico.
Is that really true that Israel have renamed it 'Mexico flu'; that's just tasteless - they should be ashamed of themselves. At least 'Freedom fries' was funny!
Comment what you think here!