Japan Influenza
Snap taken in my local shopping arcade of a pharmacy with the notice "all surgical masks sold out."
As there are no surgical masks in the pharmacies, folks are having to resort to buying them on Yahoo Auction Japan. Asahi reports on how a box of 64 masks started at 1,980 yen and ended up being sold for 17,000 yen!
Many people are starting to panic as Swine Flu reaches Tokyo - so much that the prime minister Taro Aso has called upon citizens to remain calm and if they break out in a fever to get it treated immediately.
Even children are being made to wear surgical masks.
Whats the situation like where you are living - no change from last time or are people panicking more?
As for me - no change but trying to make sure I'm in good health by getting as much rest as possible despite being snowed under in meetings and mails ToT
Via JapanProbe.
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Game Designer & 2D Artist
http://catzstudio.blogspot.com/
here, some people take this as a chance to get rid of the pigs, there's some sort of paranoia attached too.
It's not helping when even the local media keep reporting the number of people died due to the 'swine flu'
Me, I got a bowel movement last weeke, but so far so good
Graphic Designer
That is why some places start using 2009 H1N1 as official
Network Security Specialist
To stay healthy: be sure to eat plenty of "health food" and of course, watch plenty of "health material". ;D
Mad scientist
This is why WHO officially changed the name. However nobody will give it a good name so it's called stuff at random. Personally I think it should be called "Mexican flu" to fit the pattern of naming it for where it was first detected (Russian flu, Hong Kong flu, Spanish fly, just to name a few). Maybe Mexico is upset with that idea though so we got the names H1N1 (which is naming of genes in the flu and not specific to this one) and Influenza A (which is also a classification of flu, not a specific one)
Egypt decided to kill all pigs even though it's known that it will not affect the risk and that nobody have been ill in Egypt. I think it was when Egypt decided this as the flu was no longer named "Swine flu".
student, doujinshi manga artist
i'm a little worried since I have a friend that lives in Osaka AND one in Tokyo so... I hope they dont get sick
maintenence
http://joey1058.wordpress.com
Spanish fly?? O_o When did an aphrodisiac become an infection? LOL!
Pseudo-Graphic Designer, 触手 wrangler, H-Man
http://lightningsabre.blogspot.com/
Just as the Canadian travel warning to Mexico has been lifted, it hits Japan, eh? That's unfortunate. Don't get sick, Japan!
NEET part-time - Technical Support Officer - Network security engineer
http://burugureibi.blogspot.com/
I hope we dont get sick either - we're just started jumping into winter!!!
I bet im going to get sick within 2 weeks
studying comp studies, planning to look for part time job
http://bruneian-otaku.blogspot.com
no outbreak record here in Brunei ^^
Otaku, Gamer, Collector, Forum Moderator
http://pandatr0nics.wordpress.com/
Not much has changed in Toronto
I have a friend who works at the hospital who pretty much said that swine flu isn't much different than regular flu.
Chinese/Viet restaurant waiter, no post secondary
My sister works as a nurse in Toronto. She told me the same thing. Some of my friends are worried about the flu and decided not to go to the Anime North convention this weekend cause of it xD
thousand master II, Internet Learner, Auto didacta
http://pipopaz.wordpress.com/
since i live in a small town there hasn't been really much about it, although i did hear there were three cases...however nothing has really change.
デレデレ ハンター, Bullet Grazer
I became sick around the time swine flu was getting big, but I don't think I caught it. Afterall, I just got my rest and my body got better after a week or two (without use of any medicine). Oranges supposedly work well to boost the immune system that way you don't catch any other infections while you are weak.
Network Security Specialist
FACE MASKS SOLD OUT??? OH NOES! But I don't have to worry about it, no pig flu in sunny Southern California! ^O^
Mad scientist
I read that hundreds of people in California got ill, but it didn't say where in the state they were.
Network Security Specialist
Its true, a lot of people did, including my Auntie!! But right now it seems to be under control, nobody has mentioned it (swine flu) in a while.
Mad scientist
I'm not sure no mentioning in the media is the same as no problems. Here The media talked about ill people in Mexico and USA and then they ignored it until it showed up here and it became headline news for one day and then it's ignored again. Looks like the media here acts like the flu have died out worldwide.
Geek Liaison
http://www.thegeekreview.com
So far H1N1 has been more hype then reality. Mainly fueled by media over exposure.
Young Grasshopper
http://miragestrike.blogspot.com
From what I've just read, at least 26 schools were closed today and 187 students were rushed into the emergency room in the last 12 hours in NYC.. I think i should start panicking now? ;~;
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-ny-swine21-2009may21,0,6349095.story
Game Designer & 2D Artist
http://catzstudio.blogspot.com/
nah, just wait when you see people melting on the street, then start panicking
STUDENT
http://www.levelup.com.mx
Here in La Paz we have had only a single case of influenza
Student, part-time worker
Japan is way overreacting with the closing down school and selling out of surgical masks. ><;
There's been no change in location. I think they reported a few cases and that was it. Every thing is pretty much business as usual.
Student, part-time worker
*no change in MY location.
aughhh..must check comments carefully before posting them.
http://blog.paddedstudio.com/
On the news all the time, but with fewer reported deaths than the regular flu it remains only a talking point in my neck of the woods.
Art Student/Freelancer
http://jenarwen.deviant.art.com
People shouldn't really worry about swine flu. Hundreds of people had it here all recovered and only one died. More people die from regular flu than swine flu ^^;.
Unfortunately for my friend traveling to Japan their exchange trip may be canceled. Japan seems to not like the idea of Canadians traveling their due to swine flu scare ^^;. I doubt very many people in Japan will catch it. Japan seems to be very germ conscious. And if you're really worried do what my Grandfather (who is a surgeon) says to do wash your hands all the way up to your elbows. Washing your hands and coughing into your sleeve or a tissue are some of the most effective things you can do to avoid germs or spreading them
Part time everything, Full time slacker.
http://blog.bathtussue.com
I my recent trip to Japan, there is one thing I notice in a lot of places: there is no soap in the washrooms.
About 80% of the washrooms I went to does not have soap of any kind.
Graphic Designer
The whole swine flu thing is blown way out of proportion. I live in Wisconsin, and we have the highest number of cases in the entire country, and it doesn't scare me one bit.
Student, Otaku, She-Geek(Sheek lol)
http://meimi132.wordpress.com/
No one seems to be panicking in Leicester... I haven't checked the news lately.. so I got no idea where it has reached in the UK lol.
Mad scientist
The official number from WHO states that 109 people in the UK got infected. I don't know where, but I seem to remember that the first cases where in Scotland and then somewhere further south later on. The first 8 were in 5 towns or something.
Physics Student
http://dark-kai3.blogspot.com
I'm not sure where it has hit the most here in the UK, but I've not seen anyone panicing in Nottingham either. It just seems to have been blown out of proportion by the media....but these are the same people that deemed Jordan and Peter Andre breaking up to be 6 o'clock news worthy...
Shinigami
http://superchan-oktaku.blogspot.com/
lol i need wear those same thing when working in a kitchen.
student- university servant
i thought it might be bad with children and older folks and in the city that is densely populated...
hope it dies down when i go LOL
EX-NSF / NS-Men / Certis Cisco Protection Officer
Nothing have happened Singapore yet, but the authorities have taken actions to prevent swine flu from entering Singapore, other than that the locals here juz treat it that swine flu does not exist at all.
http://animaticfigmation.com/
haven't noticed a change here yet, but there were 55 confirmed cases of it a few days ago in the state. not sure today.
Student/Evil Overlord
I live in a supposedly "3rd world" country, but Mad Cow and SARS never got to us. Especially SARS which originated in South China, a mere 2 hours away from us by plane. This flu thingy is no exception. I was happily eating pork just yesterday ^^;
Hearing how fast the outbreak was just a few weeks back did make me think of Zombie infestations though ;-P
Sniper
http://1254lifejournal.wordpress.com
Only some suspected case here in Indonesia so far. Well , my uncle probably gonna have sleepless nights again.
Certified Trouble Maker, Part-Time Otaku
http://picasaweb.google.com/adi.widyatmoko?feat=email
many people have warned me about that recently, but i can't found the mask anywhere.
should i order too?
Mad scientist
too late :P
It's hard to tell if it will really protect you though. You are better off giving all ill people masks than to wear one yourself. You should protect yourself by not sticking your fingers in the eyes/nose/mouth and wash your hands often, specially after being in public. Also get plenty of good food and sleep as much as possible. This will enforce your immune system. Sleeping is very important against any disease (both cure and prevention) so you should always sleep enough.
security/3d graphic artist
http://www.kennethleishman.com/
i'd rather get it right now when it's not terminal, and build up anti bodies, just like a vaccine, rather than get it latter when it mutates into a more deadly strain... but thats just me.. :D
Student
http://hongkim11.wordpress.com/
Holy wow, $170 for a 64 pack of surgical masks, that's amazing. I've always tried to be healthy, so all I'm ding is making sure to keep my hands clean and away from my mouth.
三年せいとオタク
In my state we've only had I think 36 cases of the swine flu so far =/ As for me I'm not panicking much anymore and I think we have plenty of masks in stores around here.
Comp Sci. College Student
I will be traveling to Japan in two weeks, and will be staying at a University.
They are requiring me to wear a mask for 7 days, along with temperature checks twice a day.
Glad to see their not taking chances, but at the same time, I believe that they might be freaking out too much.
Webdev, internet contents, music
http://www.pepinismo.net/
I don't see masked people in Fukuoka. That would be creepy.
unemployed machinist.. yeah
Honestly.. this crap is so overblown.. its the flu!!!
Yes, people are dying.. 35,000 people die from the flue every year!!
And its not nice healthy people.. its people who have comprimised immune systems already. Seriously if your in good health.. was ya hands! Stay away from obviously sick people. Ya'll prolly be just fine.. Might get a bit sick.. But.. You'll live.
NUFF Said!
Researcher
Sorry to disagree with you but although it is a flu IT IS NOT a typical one. Yes, the regular flu does kill a lot of people every year and yes this flu could present itself with mild symptoms and be treated as the regular one BUT that’s not true in all the cases. If not treated right it can develop into a severe pneumonia. Also, it can develop into a severe case even in healthy people. Now, I’m not saying that we have to panic and that this is the end of the world. If you catch it the antivirals can take care of it. But don’t dismiss it as “just the flu”.
IT/System Admin
You are worng. ANY flu virus can develop into pneumonia or get complicated. that is how they typically die.
This is the typical flu, and even WEAKER
Researcher
Yes, any flu virus kills you (if it does it) by developing into pneumonia or other complication. I dind't say the contrary.
But this kind is different in many ways. Maybe is "weaker" in some aspects, but being completly different to what we get usually there's not the typical response or cross-immunity seen with the regular type, that's why it is considered a pandemic, it is spreading faster than the usual ones. The next in a piece taken from the WHO webpage (everyone can read the full thing at this link)
http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/assess/disease_swineflu_assess_20090511/en/index.html
"...Even a pandemic virus that initially causes mild symptoms in otherwise healthy people can be disruptive, especially under the conditions of today’s highly mobile and closely interdependent societies. Moreover, the same virus that causes mild illness in one country can result in much higher morbidity and mortality in another. In addition, the inherent virulence of the virus can change over time as the pandemic goes through subsequent waves of national and international spread..."
"...An influenza pandemic is caused by a virus that is either entirely new or has not circulated recently and widely in the human population. This creates an almost universal vulnerability to infection. While not all people ever become infected during a pandemic, nearly all people are susceptible to infection..."
"...To date, the following observations can be made, specifically about the H1N1 virus, and more generally about the vulnerability of the world population...
The H1N1 virus strain causing the current outbreaks is a new virus that has not been seen previously in either humans or animals. Although firm conclusions cannot be reached at present, scientists anticipate that pre-existing immunity to the virus will be low or non-existent, or largely confined to older population groups.
H1N1 appears to be more contagious than seasonal influenza. The secondary attack rate of seasonal influenza ranges from 5% to 15%. Current estimates of the secondary attack rate of H1N1 range from 22% to 33%.
With the exception of the outbreak in Mexico, which is still not fully understood, the H1N1 virus tends to cause very mild illness in otherwise healthy people. Outside Mexico, nearly all cases of illness, and all deaths, have been detected in people with underlying chronic conditions.
In the two largest and best documented outbreaks to date, in Mexico and the United States of America, a younger age group has been affected than seen during seasonal epidemics of influenza. Though cases have been confirmed in all age groups, from infants to the elderly, the youth of patients with severe or lethal infections is a striking feature of these early outbreaks.
In terms of population vulnerability, the tendency of the H1N1 virus to cause more severe and lethal infections in people with underlying conditions is of particular concern.
For several reasons, the prevalence of chronic diseases has risen dramatically since 1968, when the last pandemic of the previous century occurred. The geographical distribution of these diseases, once considered the close companions of affluent societies, has likewise shifted dramatically. Today, WHO estimates that 85% of the burden of chronic diseases is now concentrated in low- and middle-income countries. In these countries, chronic diseases show an earlier average age of onset than seen in more affluent parts of the world.
In these early days of the outbreaks, some scientists speculate that the full clinical spectrum of disease caused by H1N1 will not become apparent until the virus is more widespread. This, too, could alter the current disease picture, which is overwhelmingly mild outside Mexico.
Apart from the intrinsic mutability of influenza viruses, other factors could alter the severity of current disease patterns, though in completely unknowable ways, if the virus continues to spread.
Scientists are concerned about possible changes that could take place as the virus spreads to the southern hemisphere and encounters currently circulating human viruses as the normal influenza season in that hemisphere begins..."
They've closed a bunch of schools in NYC, but here in NJ it hasn't been a big deal. I think there have been about 15 cases in my state, none fatal and none in my area.
I understand the need for caution, but really... nobody panics over the regular flu and that kills a few thousand people in the U.S. every year.
Your resident evil
No swine flu here...well not that I've heard of lately. I do own a few surgical masks. The real kind.
Otaku Programmer
http://oufukunaga.wordpress.com
I didn't notice any changes here in Nagoya...
Well, maybe in a few weeks or so ^^;
A Curiosity
Capcom is so scared that they stopped sending executives out of the country and quarantined some of there own people... Very Ironic, lol, since they make biohazard games....
university film student | ecchikid | the Archivist
http://www.vimeo.com/longhim
Maybe that's precisely why. ^^;
Nurse
I think it's way blown out of proportion. At my graduation last weekend, they announced that they would be forgoing the handshaking at the ceremony when you got the diploma because of the swine flu scare. Also, it was posted on the convention site that some Japanese guests at an anime convention near me this weekend cancelled due to swine flu and fear of possible quarantine upon return to Japan.
スーパースベシャル"S"
better be safe than sorry tho...should've seen what happened with SARS
Nurse
True. It's always best to err on the side of caution and I completely understand the convention guests. I wouldn't want to be quarantined either o.0 There is certainly a danger associated with it and these little things that are easy preventative measures are no problem. I just think it's being blown up a bit too much by the media. But yeah, I agree. Caution is good.
Otaku Programmer/Gamer/Artist/Photographer
http://argylebolivar.wordpress.com
GAHHHHH >__<
スーパースベシャル"S"
I don't think you'll ever see people wear mask in UK, they'll just be laughed at, or be stabbed in the back by drunken chavs
Gundam Meister
So far here in Malaysia, there are 2 reported cases.I hope they both will get well soon and it'll stop spreading.
Actor, Moviemaker and Blogger.
http://sitedofonseca.blogspot.com
No panic around here.
Network Security Specialist
Couldn't you just order face masks online?
Programmer
Here we started with 2 confirmed instances, 3 days after we reach 12 cases confirmed, virus is spreadind very fast! Schools are closing for 7 days to clean and study particular cases, people starting to being panic.
Otaku / Student in Networking
http://hayasaki-kun.blogspot.com/
>_<;;
Graphic Designer
Its the same.. really don't care, done everything the same... actually went to a bunch of parties :D
I'm just sick that every time I watch the news all of them are about swine flu... seems like nothing else is happening.. what about the economy, politics and other stuff ¬_¬***??
lol because of the lack of surgical mask and the overpricing, the government made a commercial of how you can make your own mask and what you need to make them... XD
http://www.ryusworld.com
We have some H1N1 cases in Germany but folks are not in a panic here.
If you are in an area not spotted any cases of swine flu so far it is ok to wash hands properly, keep them away from the mouth and avoid sick people.
But 170 Bucks for 64 masks is a nice price. Grats to the seller for making huge profit.
Part time everything, Full time slacker.
http://blog.bathtussue.com
I got sick right after coming back from Japan...
But the doctor said it was not the flu. It was just a mild cold.
vendor
http://www.friendster.com
Philippine airports alerted to some foreigners about this "Wine flu"...Even for upcoming schools.
Hear or reading news about this virus can people panic.
Student/Busboy/Otaku
http://moosebro.wordpress.com/
Not really sure about the mass change here in SoCal, but as far as I know, nothing serious. No panic, outbreaks, mass hysteria and the like. I am just getting over a the flu, I have had it for 6 days now and will be back to full health(or so)tomorrow. I never even blinked an eye at the thought of swine flu, it actually didn't even cross my mind until today(and it was the flu, not just a cold). I don't hear ANYONE around my area even mention the flu, so I am guessing everyone stopped caring already here. XD
Sorry to hear about what's going on over in Japan! :( I hope everything turns out alright there. ^_^
part time illustrationist, doll clothing seamstress
http://puppy52art.com/
I was trying not to get sick but people around me got sick and hanging out with them resulted me finally getting sick, just when I get back to work :P duh! lol can't wait to get better soon! =_=
Ubermensch
http://www.youtube.com/user/finrodfela
Nothings changed around here. No one even talks about it no one cares, atleast the people I know.
Student
http://otakuinvancouver.wordpress.com/
^Agreed. No one in Canada really seems to care besides the germaphobes. And aren't a fourth of the people in Japan wearing masks anyways? It always seems like that when I go back.
Student
I heard about a few people died around my area in Seattle but they were sickly and old already. I really don't think this swine flu is anything to worry about.
bum with offers
It's been pretty quiet here as well. I think some people here might be surprised the swine flu is still affecting people.
Pedobear approved
No real changes here, though there's supposedly been a couple of confirmed cases in Colorado. I'm not terribly worried since traditional medications and Tamiflu seem to be effective in combating it so far.
JR. College Student
http://npc.talkingincircles.net/
I think we're all pretty safe in the summer... it's the fall we should be worried about.
Mad scientist
I couldn't have said it better. There is a history of mild flus during the summer which turns out nasty during fall. I think this is one of the reasons why WHO is concerned and got concerned early. I mean normally the media and WHO will not care for 20 dead people in Mexico. A seasonal flu kills more so there has to be something special about this one.
student
http://zephi-san.deviantart.com/
It shouldn't be anything to worry about, the average flu meds is enough to combat the virus. So many people are recovering from it like it's nothing, and most people are simply carriers and don't really show severe symptoms at all. SARS was much more worse than this.
In Australia only 6 cases so far, and the symptoms are very mild. They are still quarantined though.
Funny thing is, I still have not seen any Australian wearing the surgical masks out on the streets here.. Although I've seen some Japanese students in my class wear them.
That's pretty drastic for surgical masks to be sold out in Japan pharmacies.... I think people will start to stock up on these in the case of another outbreak.
Full Time Time-Waster
Silly Japan, the masks won't do anything, the flu virus isn't spread that way. Why don't they wear hazmat suits while they're at it?
学生
http://nghaujapon.blogspot.com
hello,
I am currently in the tsukuba's university (japan).
I arrive in the beginning of the month from France, I was in quarantine for 10 days.
But here, there is not increasing number of masked people.
Student
http://charlieinwonderland.wordpress.com
Taiwan still has the SARS events very present, so when the "Swine Flu" (H1N1) started, all the masks sold out, but the government is punishing the masks hoard, specially the price rising. The Department of Health of Taiwan, also provided the convenience stores and super markets with low priced mask.
大学生
It doesnt seem like many people around where I live are very concerned about it right now. I am guessing this has something to do with why tickets to Japan are so cheap right now. I have been considering buying one they are such a good deal...
student
http://zephi-san.deviantart.com/
It's got nothing to do with that. It's because of the recession, people don't wanna spend, so they lower their prices to tempt people to go overseas.
With the H1N1 outbreak it's their loss. Even with very cheap prices people will still be afraid to go.
大学生
Fortunately I am not very afraid of the flu :)
Mad scientist
but you will be once you arrive in the airport and is put in a room without access to other people for a week while you are told about how evil the flu is. Afterwards when you get out into the streets you will find coughing people everywhere and some of them looks like zombies. That's the time to declare that traveling was a bad idea :P
Student
http://beamknight87blog.blogspot.com/
I'll be honest, even though around here in Mexico City took place the most serious outbreak of this flu (school and ALL activities got suspended for a whole week), things have been pretty normal lately. Truth is things got waaaaaay too exaggerated to what was really happening. Heck, just try to research about your own countries about how many people die per year due to common flu, I bet you will be surprised.
Network Security Specialist
You live in DF? When I was young, I moved there for a year (because of my Dad's work) and I remember that we took a day off from school so that everyone could watch the world cup! :p
IE
http://otakujanai.org
yeap, thats our Mexico xD
銀河帝国五〇一軍团 TK/TD 8316 M.E.P.D. Police Sergeant
http://gordonator.com/
the best way to combat the virus is to stay in good health so remember to do your daily essential health care lads. ('~')
IE
http://otakujanai.org
people around here arent very concerned about this matter anymore, they just have accepted the fact that they need to have medical atention if any type of flu shows up.
to give some numbers, my state (tamaulipas) has a population of 3,024,238 (in 2005) and , until now, we only have 38 A H1N1 (swine) flu confirmed cases and only 3 deaths (mostly cause they didnt went to the doctor at the right moment) and we never really used the masks more than a couple of days in the beginning of the trouble.
Guess some people will be spending the economic stimulus buying expensive masks.
Slacker
OMFG we're going to get a cold!!!! o.O
The phrase "much a-do about nothing" was coined up for the pig flu...
Mouse Whisperer
Here in Australia there have been a number of confirmed cases that have been isolated and treated with anti virals, all cases emanated from having returned from travel to the US, none so far have died, mostly just the normal non deadly version of the flu strain.
The Asian numbers ie: mainland China I would be very sceptical of, totalitarian and third world health authorities have a track record of being slow to report, secretive and outright liars. Australia has a population of 20 million and a small statistical number of people travelling abroad, yet we have a small number of cases. Countries in Asia with mega populations and with large numbers of domestic and foreign travellers, its only natural the virus has arrived. you are kidding yourself if the confirmed or non case numbers have been fudged.
Student/Building a blog
http://otakucy.wordpress.com
Goverment here says no need to worry, europe is still un-affected in a large area
Editor
http://japandra.blogspot.com
A sign here in Harajuku asking the sniffly to Keep Out - in politest terms, of course... http://tinyurl.com/ptgug4
こうこうせい
http://stickymochi.blogspot.com
People are sick of topic here, especially since they announced school won't be closed ^^;
Loafer
This sucks, my best friend was supposed to go to Japan this coming week on a six-week student exchange program. But got canceled due to swine flu. ;-;
???Confused???
There's been a few more cases in some other states, but no reported death in relation to it as of late...
http://koigroupmember1.deviantart.com/
though i personally dont really care much. well as long as i keep my body in a good shape. i guess...
High school student
http://www.animeraku.com
Nothing is going on here. There was not anybody diagnosed with H1N1 in my country yet. As for me, even if it came here, I would not care much. Maybe I would just try to get some more rest.
Student
http://foxkey.blog126.fc2.com/
I think Australia only has 1 or 2 people with H1N1, nothing that'll scare me, what i'm more afraid of is this cold weather.. brr.
Mad scientist
It's 7 confirmed and 23 suspected, yet uncomfirmed. Still it's very few for such a large country.
Programmer
http://solemnius.deviantart.com/
Good thing our country's still H1N1 free, so for me there's nothing to worry about... yet.....
Mad scientist
Japan was H1N1 free too (ok, they have another H1N1 right now too, but lets forget about that one for a moment). They got 3, then 4 and kept them in isolation. Then over the weekend it turned into this and they went from 4 to 125 in 48 hours. Now an additional 48 hours have passed and the number of infected people is 283, and this is only cases confirmed by labs and approved as positive by WHO. The real number is likely higher, so it's clear that one week can change everything.
Self employed
The only problem is if you have existing health conditions which might be made worse by contracting swine flu, otherwise it's fairly treatable according to reports and stats. Govts are overreacting for the most part but can't blame them especially with what happened during the SARS crisis.
Mechanical Engineering student
http://sabekujikaneda.multiply.com/
Amazingly, just like during the SARS outbreak, the Philippines is A(H1N1) free. It must be the polluted environment. Filipinos could have gotten used to their environment that we developed stronger resistance... or something like that O_o
I hope it stays this way. If ever there's an outbreak here, I'm buying me a gas mask! LOL XD
http://hontouni.com/souomou
Nurse Witch Komugi-chan to the rescue?
Or will it be more like Venus Versus Virus?
Student
Our first confirmed H1N1 case was yesterday and the confirmed place is just a 20 minute drive away >.>
Mad scientist
In that case you will die. It was nice knowing you. Can I come to your funenal? >:)
j/k
I know the feeling. The first case was all over the media and the infected person didn't want to be published as "the one who bought the thing that will kill us all" so it was a secret who it was and where that person lives. They only told the region so it could be 50 km away and it could be next door. I decided that it has to be 50 km away ^^;
High School Student
people here in Australia are pretty chilled about it, no one I know is freaking out. Surgical masks are no where to be seen, but more people need to learn to cover their mouth when they cough *shake fist* lol
Student!
http://notcliche.com/
Just keep your immune system up and healthy, no diseases will bother you.
Singapore is still probably much the same. No one is really bothered about this... for now. The last major thing that happened was SARS, and that's probably the only time where the whole country was extremely affected (e.g school closedown, quarantine on public places).
~Undine~
http://bluebluewave.wordpress.com
I've been down with a cold/flu for about two weeks now, maybe I should have it checked out. XD
IT Student, Web-dev intern
http://users.utu.fi/pplaat
As far as I know Finland's still swine-flu-free. We had a couple of maybe-cases, but they turned out to be just common flu. And no one uses the masks either. I noticed an interesting phenomenon in the news though. Every-single-time news had something to report about the swine flu there was a photo of Asian people wearing masks. I have no idea why, they even had such photos although the swine flu hadn't reach Asia even.. there never was a photo about Americans or Europeans or not even Mexicans in the photos, isn't that weird??
IT Student, Web-dev intern
http://users.utu.fi/pplaat
As far as I know Finland's still swine-flu-free. We had a couple of maybe-cases, but they turned out to be just common flu. And no one uses the masks either. I noticed an interesting phenomenon in the news though. Every-single-time news had something to report about the swine flu there was a photo of Asian people wearing masks. I have no idea why, they even had such photos although the swine flu hadn't reach Asia even.. there never was a photo about Americans or Europeans or not even Mexicans in the photos, isn't that weird??
IT Student, Web-dev intern
http://users.utu.fi/pplaat
Drat.. I knew it was going to double-post. Sorry folks for the triple-post.
Danny: the message sending took like 5 minutes?
Mad scientist
The server acted up and I had the same problem. Danny did something and now it's back to normal, at least for me.
Finland isn't free. WHO reports 2 confirmed incidents. Still rather low and I think the risk for a new person to import the virus is greater than the risk of spreading it from the known cases so the risk would be the same as no cases.
IT Student, Web-dev intern
http://users.utu.fi/pplaat
Oh.. snap. Well then there must have been few I missed. *looks for*
A, found them two young adults in the capital area. They are/were under restricted access so no worries. Love the conspiracy theory people though, always finding excitement about anything.
Student
Nothing important neither in France, nor in my town. People who were suspected finally didn't get the disease, fortunately. I don't take care about the flu, I keep living like before, nothing has changed.
Nekophilia
I'm *SNIFFF* having flu as I *SNIIFFF* type this. Major reduction in exam performance.. This sucks. --"
Also, new strategy to get more yennies to buy figures! Woot.
Drugs Handler
Awwww I hope this outbreak doesn't interfere with my trip there in a few weeks :(. I may try and find some surgical masks before i go, just in case lol
anime + games collector
man this stuff spreads fast dont it?!
Dance Trooper: DCX-001 O.D.E. (Order of the Dancing Empire)
http://dannychoo.com.my
Malaysia just affected last week, so far only see a handful of people wearing mask.
High School Student
http://scorchnroses.wordpress.com
Nothing much have changed here, in fact the situation became more relaxed. However, I think since Malaysia has been affected, my country would also be stepping up on its measures again.
Mouse Whisperer
The Summer in the northern hemisphere is working to your advantage at the moment, Hopefully the virus will not mutate over time and then attack with a vengeance when the northern hemisphere Winter arrives. A vaccine will hopefully be designed for it by then.
SOS Brigade Leader
Since A(H1N1) has arrived in Malaysia . I believe that the government would do almost anything from stop the spreading .
Hopefully it wont turn out as worse as Japan right now . Still worried though ^^;;
Mad scientist
Here the media reported dying people in Mexico and then 20 people or so got infected in USA and after that the media stopped caring until somebody here got infected. Then they held a press conference, but nobody died so the media went back to the usual stuff about one politician callng the other politician's idea stupid and that kind of stuff.
I fear that it will arrive here because the plan for prevention isn't working and everybody knows that. The plan is that if you arrive from somewhere with H1N1 and you feel ill, then you go to get checked. One political party stated that it's one of the worst plans they have seen because people should take public transportation to a place where they can get checked but as usual with political stuff... nothing changed.
I don't fear H1N1 right now (ok, I fear any flu because I have exams, but). My fear is what can happen in the long run. We have 4 anti-viral drugs. The H1N1 from Mexico is resistant to 2 of them, but is affected by Tamiflu. The H1N1 Japan already had should be resistant to Tamiflu. I fear that those two H1N1 flus mix and then we are left with just a single drug as treatment. Having only one means everybody will get treated by it and when it's used a lot there is a risk that it will mutate and get resistant toward it. This means the concept of having a flu with no working medicine is possible. WHO have made people work on a vacine, but they just got delayed 2 months an they needed half a year to begin with.
On top of this we have previously have mild flus during the summer, which turns more agressive during fall. This means a worst case scenario is an agressive flu killing people, no vacine yet and no drugs to battle the flu itself. While I don't think this is the most likely outcome it might happen and we should work on preventing it.
In a way it can be compared to a house insurance against fire. We know that the risk of the house burning to the ground is unlikely, but we pay insurance anyway in order to be able to move on from a worst case scenario. Normally people also blow out candles when they leave them just to be safe. I think we should think of H1N1 like the candle. It doesn't look dangerous right now but we shouldn't leave it unattended either because then it can turn really bad. It can also just burn the candle down and die out if left unattended though.
Researcher
Tymmur, you are one of the very few people I have "heard" with actually a clue about this thing and how to react about it.
Yes, this flu it's not a thing to get panic about, but yes, we need to be cautios and yes, there will be a second wave and we don't know how bad it can be (you already mentioned the worst case scenarios).
The vaccines will take around 6 months to be out (but if it mutates too fast then those new vaccines wont be much use). There's also a lot of chemists already working on variants of tamiflu and the other drugs (because we know for sure there'll be variants of the virus resitant to the still effective antivirals).
Ok.. enough of this... good luck and keep the smart thinking going.
university film student | ecchikid | the Archivist
http://www.vimeo.com/longhim
Precisely my thoughts on the matter, with regards to the last paragraph. Having recently flown to Hong Kong from Canada for the summer, I know first hand the precautions they're taking. I think everything is a complete overreaction, sometimes, but it's much better than the alternative.
university student
people here arnt very worried about swine-flu.....maybe its because this is a small isolated island where foreign visitor are pretty rare......but if it does come here we're all doomed!!...doomed i say!!!
pervert
more schools are getting closed down every week.if this continues NY will be shut down
Student
http://www.lesterho.com
Today news reported that there are already have 2 cases in Tokyo. My school are telling us not to get panic and remind claim even if the swine flu has reached here although many of the students in my school are requesting to leave Japan ASAP. ^^;;
I myself got abit worried that I might get infected by this super flu outbreak which killed hundreds of people up until now.
Mad scientist
Leaving the country because they are in an area with an outbreak will only increase the risk of spreading the virus to virus free regions. For the sake of the majority of people they should't go.
I'm not sure how worried you should be. Plenty of people get infected and survive. Just do the normal stuff to prevent getting ill, like eat real food (no junk food), sleep all night, wash hands and stuff like that. Avoiding crowds is also something to consider, but locking yourself in at home with no human contact is seriously overreacting.
I have wondered about one thing you could do to protect yourself. Since pneumonia is a deadly complication your self defence would be to ensure healthy lungs. This means no smoking and at best no second hand smoking either. I haven't heard anybody speak of this or any statistics about deaths vs smokers so all it is is just a theory.
GIS Tech
http://hamstercorp.blogspot.com
I think everyone here stopped caring about a week after the initial outbreak, though I don't watch TV so I don't know if the local news outlets are panicing, though no one in the office talks about it.
I think the CDC has said this flu is actually less dangerous than regular flu, which just makes the whole situation with country-wide panics, like the one in Japan, even funnier.
Mouse Whisperer
You're right concerning the regular yearly flu that does the rounds, year in year out this variant kills many more people compared to the current mortality rates for the HIN1 strain, the aged and infirm being especially susceptible to any "regular" influenza. If HIN1 mutates and becomes a pandemic that's what health officials are worried about.
Currently the only pandemic to worry about is everybody becoming a hikikomori hahhahahaha.
Mad scientist
It appears like it's not very harmful at the moment. However doctors are treating people at a higher rate than with a regular flu so it's not easy to compare.
The point is that the genes of the virus have been studied and WTO & friends are concerned with what it can mutate into. If I understand it correctly it has the genes to cause havoc, but it's not using them right now. Nobody can tell if it will use the dangerous genes in their full potiential in the future and this is why there is a big fuss about it.
Researcher
Another point to consider about the relative "low" number of cases (compared to the regular one): the numbers shown are only for the "laboratory" confirmed cases... it'll take them many months to know the real numbers.
Mad scientist
The real number will never be known. The first domestic case in Japan was a young man who thought he had the seasonal flu and he stayed home for a while before contacting a doctor. If his immune system had been able to fight the flu just a little bit better he wouldn't have contacted the doctor. Here is the big question: how many have an immune system, which worked a bit better and decides not to contact a doctor?
Read somewhere that an estimated 100.000 people had been infected in the US. This means at that time an estimated 5% got confirmed in a lab. Sounds possible to me.
Researcher
Yup, you are about right
student, doujinshi manga artist
the REAL reason fro swine flu: Kira got angry so now he's usin the Death Note again (sowwies, just trying to make light of a crappy situation)
One man company, visual UI / icon designer.
http://blog.cocoia.com
That's pretty amazing. An exaggerated reaction, if you ask me.
IT/System Admin
You do know that wearing a mask does not prevent the virus from infecting you, right?
The filtration of the material in not dense enough to prevent the virus from coming through, not to mention the gaps around the sides and top.
Student
http://blueapple48.pixnet.net/blog
マスクはどこにも売り切れるよ～（泣）
特に京都にもまもなく出で来るかな～H1N1
Associate Network Administrator
No change here, except for some extra precautions at the office regarding employees who start exhibiting symptoms.
Polytechnic Junior, Bronze Lifesaving Trainee, Mech Designer In-training.
http://thehangerbay.wordpress.com/
Ok, so the first wave of infections has died out around the world... just in time for the far-stronger second wave of infections to start lol.
At least they're taking precautions. There is simply no kill like overkill.
Massaging boobs
Its all rubbish! If youre a normal healthy person with good hygiene, its not dangerous. Wash your hands often, wash the vegetables and fruit, fry the meat well, cook things through at 100 degrees, keep pets clean, etc... Good old normal guidelines everyone should know. Children, elderly and sick people should be more cautious.
Dont roll with the pigs, keep clean and healthy. Peace world, or else you`ll die of stress.
Student, Uncle & hopfully a good husband..
Not much change around here...just stricter regulations on daily health care...
Student trying to get BS in Comp Sci
i think most ppl are just getting the mass hysteria effect, like in house m.d.
student
http://www.gunpla-inochi.com
the swine flu scare finally died down in the states. No one cares about the masks anymore and stores now have excessive stock of them ^^;
IT Administrator
Good Luck Danny!
For 8 weeks im a NEET
We made a game out of it. when someone sneezes we say swine flu.
Software Developer
http://www.otakutimes.com
In London the only people wearing masks are tourists. Everyone else is pretty much going about their day as normal.
College Student
I think living stress free is a great way to combat the flu. You keep your immune system from being taxed from psychological to physiological misfires and make sound decisions about how you conduct yourself to limit exposure or what might be a risk factor at all. At any one time your body is combating dozens of infections, so if you keep yourself in good shape mentally and physically you should have a good bulwark against the unknown.
desperate because my old login was eaten
don't need to panic !!
IT, Programmer, Otaku, ...
http://blog.jpopdb.org/
Seems like I left Japan just in time 2 weeks ago. Only when I got back home, the first cases started to appear. But I'm sure it will die down again... I hope so...!
research student
http://osakacchi.blogspot.com/
not panicking over here. but watching the nhk news made me more cautious...
Customer support/Evil Mastermind
No change from the usual here in Sweden. Was listening to a radio show about the "Swine flu" the other day and the general consensus here seems to be that people think the media is just blowing things up to create the usual hysteria. I tend to agree actually. Things always get blown out of proportion.
I already had some kind of mysterious flu like thing that lasted 1½ month... maybe i'¨ve already gotten it over with? :D
Really though... I feel there is no reason to worry about things I can't really influence. I could die later today from slipping on a banana peel or get a stroke or whatever. Worrying will just make you stressed out imho.
Mobile exoskeleton engineer
No change in the UK it been the most over hyped story ever. Shows that media hype is great at generating fear and hysteria. Or in the case of surgical mask sails generating profit.
maintenence
http://joey1058.wordpress.com
Hey, Danny, you of all people need to be aware of your surroundings. You are on the go constantly, so the extra investment in masks would be a good thing for you. It would be a bad thing to hear that the Tokyo Stormtrooper was done in by a simple bug!
Student
I hate this stupid flu it scares everybody T_T stupid flu go away !
College Freshmen
People kind of care, but I haven't noticed any change of character between people. I'm not sure how many people actually care enough to do anything.
Student Pharmacist
http://myanimelist.net/profile/RaRiZaRd
I think people worry too much. It's a bothersome condition, treatable but annoying. Though the elderly and those who care for toddlers should really be careful.
Student
http://shockerz.wordpress.com/
Maybe just one or two here noting serious if we keep our self away from the pig and the flu.
Pre-U Student
http://wakuwakusuru.zeroclipse.net
Not much change here. Only spot 1 or 2 people wearing the masks from time to time.
Medical Student
http://matsudolegend.wordpress.com
here in the UK, even though we've had a few scares, its not really in the news and when i go to hospital for teaching sessions on the wards, theres no real change from before it hit the news.