H1N1 – Your thoughts?
Posted September 2nd, 2009 by Katie BethellWow. H1N1 is on moms’ minds. Over 33,000 people signed on to the petition we sent around last week, agreeing that: “The United States needs to allow all working people to earn paid sick days to ensure our economic security, and protect public health.”
The leaders of our nation are working hard to prepare schools, parents, businesses, health professionals, and the entire country for this year’s flu season and H1N1. But if families are forced to choose between paying their bills and showing up sick at work, the flu response plan will be on thin ice.
Want a chance to tell our leaders, in your own words, what you think about H1N1 and preparing for the fall?
Tell us what you think about H1N1 here: http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/1768/questionnaire.jsp?questionnaire_KEY=839
Next Tuesday, MomsRising will be in Washington, D.C. and we want to bring your questions, experiences, and concerns directly to the people who have the power to address these issues – our representatives in Congress.
Some studies predict that 30-50% of us may contract H1N11, and others of us will catch the seasonal flu. We also know that less than 50% of us who work in the private sector have access to any paid sick days at all 2. Without paid sick days, and with a full quarter of families with young children living with extreme financial hardships, a huge portion of our population doesn’t have a choice but to go to work sick so they don’t lose a day’s pay–or even to lose a needed job. And, 80% of low wage workers don’t have access to a single paid sick day.
Lacking paid sick days is not only really hard on individuals and their families, it also has health consequences for the general public. We all want people who are sick to be able to stay home so that they, unintentionally, will not get others in their community sick as well.
This, and other concerns you have about the flu, are exactly the messages our leaders need to hear–and they need to hear it from you.
Share the message you’d like us to carry to our leaders about H1N1. We need to help them understand the real needs of parents and children now, and in all times of illness.
http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/1768/questionnaire.jsp?questionnaire_KEY=839
We’ll be compiling your comments, questions, reactions, and recommendations to deliver to leaders in Congress next Tuesday to share with them what parents are really thinking — and what we really need — to help stop the spread of H1N1 as well as other communicable diseases and future public health emergencies.
5 Comments
November 9, 2009 at 10:58 pm by DianneI’m fed up with there always being a shortage of the seasonal flu vaccine pretty much every year and now this year with the H1N1, my children are high risk and in NH there is not enough supply to go around–this happens every year–why and what is anyone going to do about this—this is inexcusable, every person in this country who wants to be vaccinated should be and it should be free of charge it is discriminatory that only the rich and those living in large states can get these shots….and what about the media’s role in stirring the frenzy….
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September 30, 2009 at 11:57 am by ElizabethTwenty-six states are reporting widespread influenza activity…just last week that number was twenty-one! So, it’s hard for me to NOT take the H1N1 virus seriously.
And although it may or may not be affecting you directly, it could and it probably will. I, too, applaud the efforts of local schools and government agencies…but is that where it ends? Are parents taking advantage of spreading the word about preventing H1N1? Are parents educating and practicing those healthy/safe habits themselves at home?
I think it’s time it becomes more of a JOINT effort http://www.simplek12.com/h1n1-parents
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September 3, 2009 at 3:59 pm by BillI think people are greatly over-reacting. This is an opportunity that drug makers are using to push this “vaccine.” The swine flu has been around for a very long time, and the number of deaths world-wide is infinitesimal in comparison to many other diseases. Just look at the statistics and stop listening to the hype about this thing. We are not talking about small pox or polio folks. We are talking about the friggin’ flu! And if you are relatively healthy, you have very little if anything to worry about.
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DSW Reply:
September 3rd, 2009 at 8:44 pm
@Bill, I wish I agreed with you. But the H1N1 flu hit me like a brick wall 2 1/2 weeks ago and I’m still not back to full speed. I am entirely healthy, in my 30′s, taking no medications, non-smoker, non-drinker, not overweight and athletic. Within a 6 hour period I went from completely well to hospitalized and requiring oxygen. I spent 3 days in the hospital and another 4 on home isolation. I’ve lost 8 lbs and still am tired. Please do not underestimate the ability of this virus to wreak havoc on the otherwise healthy adult!
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I am using Microsan hand sanitizer on my children. It’s a foam product instead of a gel-based, alcohol like Purrell. I read an article that led me to YouTube videos of the kids setting their hands on fire with Purrell. From what I can tell, Mircosan is guaranteed to kill swine flu if it comes in contact with the hands. I noticed that the store brand alcohol products were leaving my childrens’ hands cracked, red and dry. When I put lotion on their hands, it reversed the effects of the alcohol-based hand sanitizers.
I applaud the efforts of local schools and government agencies last spring when public gatherings were postponed or cancelled. We did not know the full impact of the swine flu at that time.
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