Okay honestly this whole swine flu thing is getting a little out of hand. No doubt it's horrible and miserable to have. I certainly don't want myself or my kids to come down with it. But my OB's office just called to remind me about my weekly appointment tomorrow, and informed me that I'm not allowed to bring any of my (already-born) kids to the office. That hopefully that doesn't inconvenience me, but they're just trying to "protect everyone." (AKA themselves. Because I'm pretty sure it's MY job to protect my own kids.)
First of all, I don't bring my kids in, Kevin comes home to watch them. So this is a non-issue. BUT, I'm paying this doctor a heck of a lot of money, and if I want to bring my children with me to hear the baby's heartbeat or because my husband has to work, I ought to be able to. OR the doctor's office needs to be up front about this policy from the get-go. Give me a break.
Just an anecdote from my day. :) Here's hoping we all remain swine flu free, but here's also hoping we remain mass hysteria free. In the words of George Costanza, WE'RE TRYING TO HAVE A SOCIETY HERE, PEOPLE!!! :)
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
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9 comments:
It is ridiculous, isn't it. I just posted to another post (Must Read on my blog).
The fear is getting out of control I think.
Shonni I think so too! It's interesting to see what people fear and to think about the "why's." I'm not getting a flu shot (swine or otherwise) and I'm not having my kids get one either.
wish I could click "like" like you do on Facebook! Trying to have a society here! Love it. :)
it seems Americans can't function without having something to be afraid of.
I work in a pediatric hospital. We recently had to change our visitor policy because the CDC/health department said so due to the increase in the number of swine flu cases. We can no longer let children visit their siblings in the hospital, no "sick" visitors are allowed at all - we now have to screen visitors before they can go to the floor. There is always an exception to the rule but that would pretty much require that your child is in critical condition.
Don't take offense at the doctor's office's new rules. They are just doing what they are told by the health department. They need to follow the rules or face fines, suspension of practive etc. In addition I am sure the reminder to not bring children to the appt. is made to any patient that has children. It is likely that the person making the call has never actually seen you in the office and is only going off a piece of paper.
I do agree that we, the country/CDC, does seem to be going overboard with the precaustions and new rules but I have seen some really sick children with the swine flu, I would not wish it upon anyone's child.
I yi yi. It's getting a little ridiculous. I've been ignoring it but with all the hype I've started to wonder if maybe I should listen a little since I have the dayhome and some of the kids go to school part time. I refuse to get worked up about it, but I don't know if I should worry a little. I haven't yet.
Brianna, I was totally going to post about this today, too. I wanted to know who gets flu shots and why/why not. Your post is timely and I understand the policy but still think it's kind of weird. "Feel free to come on in--just please no breathing or touching of any kind. Have a nice day."
My parents told me that 19 people have died of swine flu in their neighboring county. That is a little scary. I had no idea it was getting that bad. That being said, I don't think your doctor can ban your children from the office. That sounds illegal or discriminatory to me. I brought Aubrey to 80 percent of my OB appointments, just not any of the dress-down one's at the end. Speaking of the end... I 'm glad she seems to be waiting for your Mom, but I'm ready to meet my niece!
http://www.globalsecurity.org/security/ops/hsc-scen-3_flu-pandemic-deaths.htm
This website says the normal flu has a mortality of 5-20% in any given year. The people who usually die have some chronic underlying condition.
I personally think the fear of Swine Flu is fueled by the media, which in general, I think they spew sensationalistic bullshit and half truth), and understanding my bias, it annoys me.
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/eid/vol12no01/05-0979.htm
This article might shed some light onto why the CDC is up in arms about this. If anyone has ever heard of the Spanish Flu of 1918 that killed an estimated 50-100 million people, the CDC thinks the subsequent pandemic years have been related to that strain, including the Swine Flu. Also, the Spanish Flu came in waves.
However, I am still suspicious of the Swine Flu vaccine. We always get the regular flu shot in our home, but I have my doubts about the other one. It seems weird to me that a vaccine was pushed through in less than six months. Government pressure can lead to incomplete data and can harm outliers. Anthrax shots in the military are case and point.
However, maybe if anything good can come of this, better awareness of how infection is spread. Whatever your thoughts may be, wash your hands, consider flu shots, eat and sleep well so we can all have a relatively healthy winter.
Thank you for this post. So true! My husband works in health care and we are NOT getting the swine flu vaccine. I'm still waffling about the other. I'm not convinced it's that great.
Regardless, I love your blog, and your family is BEAUTIFUL! We are in the process of adopting from Ethiopia as well, and we are very, very excited!
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