Author Topic: The swine virus.  (Read 13341 times)

Offline Pugnate

  • What? You no like?
  • Global Moderator
  • Forum god
  • *
  • Posts: 12,234
    • OW

Offline scottws

  • Gold Member
  • *
  • Posts: 6,602
    • Facebook Me
Re: The swine virus.
« Reply #1 on: Sunday, April 26, 2009, 07:46:59 AM »
Jennie just saw this in The Cincinnati Enquirer an hour or so ago, although it said 68 dead.  It's like SARS all over again, except this time is much more scary for Americans because the proximity to the source and how much Americans go to Mexico and vice versa.

Offline Pugnate

  • What? You no like?
  • Global Moderator
  • Forum god
  • *
  • Posts: 12,234
    • OW
Re: The swine virus.
« Reply #2 on: Sunday, April 26, 2009, 07:55:42 AM »
Or the bird flu, except this is actually killing people.

Quote
Health Minister Tony Ryall said 10 students tested positive for influenza A. The specimens will be sent to WHO to determine whether it is H1N1 swine influenza. H1N1 influenza is a subset of influenza A.

So it is a subset of the bird flu.

edit:

I guess Scott is even less fond of Mexico now.

Offline Quemaqua

  • 古い塩
  • Administrator
  • Forum god
  • *
  • Posts: 16,498
  • パンダは触るな。
    • Bookruptcy
Re: The swine virus.
« Reply #3 on: Sunday, April 26, 2009, 08:33:40 AM »
I was actually going to make a post about this.  I'm absolutely infuriated at how our worthless fucking government has handled it.  In Mexico, they've issues statements telling people not to share food utensils, not to kiss, not to shake hands, to take precautions... here, they've said "Wash your hands".  And that's it.  There hasn't really even been any substantial public warning that I'm aware of.  And, again, Obama is sitting around trying to figure out how to legalize millions of illegals.

I'm not eating out much right now, and I'll only go to a restaurant where I know for a fact immigrants aren't cooking the food.  Which around here means almost entirely Asian food, because those are the only places near us that are family run and you can trust who's in the kitchen.  Which is cool with me.  I'm also avoiding raw foods, as you never know who may have handled them on the way to your plate.

Some people have even suggested that it could have been something started by Al Qaeda.  It would be a brilliant plan... infect the US via Mexico, since there's no effective border.  There's no proof of that, but it does seem ridiculous that the government isn't looking into it.  Those people have been trying to modify the flu for years from what I understand.

天才的な閃きと平均以下のテクニックやな。 課長有野

Offline Cobra951

  • Gold Member
  • *
  • Posts: 8,934
Re: The swine virus.
« Reply #4 on: Sunday, April 26, 2009, 09:53:47 AM »
Don't blame Obama for that.  This attitude toward deadly infectious diseases became policy with aids, way before he was anybody.  Once it became politically incorrect to quarantine people for an incurable deadly disease because it's concentrated on a downtrodden minority, sane medical practice went out the window.  The swine flu comes from Mexico?  Perfect.  Another minority to protect at the expense of public health.

Offline Quemaqua

  • 古い塩
  • Administrator
  • Forum god
  • *
  • Posts: 16,498
  • パンダは触るな。
    • Bookruptcy
Re: The swine virus.
« Reply #5 on: Sunday, April 26, 2009, 10:47:13 AM »
Well, yes, it certainly isn't a precedent set by him, but for a guy who's all about "change", he sure seems to like sticking by shitty policies that have never helped anyone in the past.  And I do blame him for continuing to consider the ridiculous immigration issues, while the rest I lay on the head of the CDC.  What a joke.  Unfortunately, the punchline is the vulnerability of the public.

天才的な閃きと平均以下のテクニックやな。 課長有野

Offline scottws

  • Gold Member
  • *
  • Posts: 6,602
    • Facebook Me
Re: The swine virus.
« Reply #6 on: Sunday, April 26, 2009, 01:22:03 PM »
I'm not eating out much right now, and I'll only go to a restaurant where I know for a fact immigrants aren't cooking the food.  Which around here means almost entirely Asian food, because those are the only places near us that are family run and you can trust who's in the kitchen.  Which is cool with me.  I'm also avoiding raw foods, as you never know who may have handled them on the way to your plate.
Most of the Chinese places around here have Mexican cooks.

Offline Ghandi

  • Senior Member
  • *
  • Posts: 4,804
  • HAMS
Re: The swine virus.
« Reply #7 on: Sunday, April 26, 2009, 01:30:46 PM »
Yay, something new that the masses can be scared about. I was worried that we were starting to get complacent.

So, what sort of absurd, useless measures can I take to protect myself from this new menace?

Offline Pugnate

  • What? You no like?
  • Global Moderator
  • Forum god
  • *
  • Posts: 12,234
    • OW
Re: The swine virus.
« Reply #8 on: Sunday, April 26, 2009, 01:32:43 PM »
I find that strangely surprising Scott.

And Ghandi, just go outside covered entirely in a giant condom. That should keep you safe.

I can imagine that either GPW or Beo could hook you up with one of those.

Offline DrSbaitso

  • Member
  • **
  • Posts: 105
Re: The swine virus.
« Reply #9 on: Tuesday, April 28, 2009, 01:50:33 PM »

Offline Cobra951

  • Gold Member
  • *
  • Posts: 8,934
Re: The swine virus.
« Reply #10 on: Tuesday, April 28, 2009, 01:53:38 PM »
It takes the flu to get you to post?  How long has it been?

Offline DrSbaitso

  • Member
  • **
  • Posts: 105
Re: The swine virus.
« Reply #11 on: Tuesday, April 28, 2009, 03:53:19 PM »
My last post was in January 2008, apparently :-[
Why don't I start a new thread so as not to derail this one.

Offline Xessive

  • Gold Member
  • *
  • Posts: 9,918
    • XSV @ deviantART
Re: The swine virus.
« Reply #12 on: Tuesday, April 28, 2009, 03:58:23 PM »
Haha the Dr. is in! Good to have you back Doc!

I think the swine flu scare is just another gov't reinforced terror tactic. Swine flu has been around since the 70's (possibly well before as well).

I don't think it's a coincidence that a low-flying airliner was sighted in NYC for no good reason alongside this pandemic.
« Last Edit: Tuesday, April 28, 2009, 09:05:36 PM by Xessive »

Offline gpw11

  • Gold Member
  • *
  • Posts: 7,180
Re: The swine virus.
« Reply #13 on: Tuesday, April 28, 2009, 08:00:44 PM »
I was actually going to make a post about this.  I'm absolutely infuriated at how our worthless fucking government has handled it.  In Mexico, they've issues statements telling people not to share food utensils, not to kiss, not to shake hands, to take precautions... here, they've said "Wash your hands".  And that's it.  There hasn't really even been any substantial public warning that I'm aware of.  And, again, Obama is sitting around trying to figure out how to legalize millions of illegals.

I'm not eating out much right now, and I'll only go to a restaurant where I know for a fact immigrants aren't cooking the food.  Which around here means almost entirely Asian food, because those are the only places near us that are family run and you can trust who's in the kitchen.  Which is cool with me.  I'm also avoiding raw foods, as you never know who may have handled them on the way to your plate.

Some people have even suggested that it could have been something started by Al Qaeda.  It would be a brilliant plan... infect the US via Mexico, since there's no effective border.  There's no proof of that, but it does seem ridiculous that the government isn't looking into it.  Those people have been trying to modify the flu for years from what I understand.


 ???

Offline W7RE

  • Post-aholic
  • *****
  • Posts: 2,780
Re: The swine virus.
« Reply #14 on: Tuesday, April 28, 2009, 09:34:30 PM »
So is it swine flu because it came from pigs? Did someone fuck a pig?

I remember hearing some shit that AIDS came from people fucking monkeys, but yea... all that did is made me think of beastiality anytime I hear a disease with an animal name in it.

Offline Raisa

  • Veteran
  • ****
  • Posts: 1,248
Re: The swine virus.
« Reply #15 on: Wednesday, April 29, 2009, 01:24:19 AM »
*groans* here too???
i'm SO SICK of this swine flu thing.. like the susan boyle thing.. rawr
Taken.

Offline Pugnate

  • What? You no like?
  • Global Moderator
  • Forum god
  • *
  • Posts: 12,234
    • OW
Re: The swine virus.
« Reply #16 on: Wednesday, April 29, 2009, 01:36:04 AM »
http://www.overwritten.net/forum/index.php?topic=5159.0

Anyway, it is only natural for people to talk about something that has the possibility of becoming a pandemic. :P

Offline Xessive

  • Gold Member
  • *
  • Posts: 9,918
    • XSV @ deviantART
Re: The swine virus.
« Reply #17 on: Wednesday, April 29, 2009, 06:42:07 AM »
I gotta say that the idea of "Swine Virus" just makes me think of Zim. Especially the episode when Zim and Dib were both infected with the bologne DNA:



I'm sorry if it seems insensitive but I have to find the lighter side of things.

Offline Cobra951

  • Gold Member
  • *
  • Posts: 8,934
Re: The swine virus.
« Reply #18 on: Wednesday, April 29, 2009, 08:58:21 AM »

Offline Ghandi

  • Senior Member
  • *
  • Posts: 4,804
  • HAMS
Re: The swine virus.
« Reply #19 on: Wednesday, April 29, 2009, 11:56:37 AM »
So is it swine flu because it came from pigs? Did someone fuck a pig?

I remember hearing some shit that AIDS came from people fucking monkeys, but yea... all that did is made me think of beastiality anytime I hear a disease with an animal name in it.

It has nothing to do with animals. It's just a name.

Offline nickclone

  • Veteran
  • ****
  • Posts: 1,270
Re: The swine virus.
« Reply #20 on: Wednesday, April 29, 2009, 12:00:28 PM »
Haha the Dr. is in! Good to have you back Doc!

I think the swine flu scare is just another gov't reinforced terror tactic. Swine flu has been around since the 70's (possibly well before as well).

I don't think it's a coincidence that a low-flying airliner was sighted in NYC for no good reason alongside this pandemic.

I'm not buying into the panic either, how many people does the common flu every year? Hell, I ate ham last night...in fact...I should check the grocery store to see if any ham is on sale or buy some stock in ham.

Offline DrSbaitso

  • Member
  • **
  • Posts: 105
Re: The swine virus.
« Reply #21 on: Wednesday, April 29, 2009, 12:07:25 PM »
It has nothing to do with animals. It's just a name.

Well it's been around in pigs for ages, it just doesn't usually spread to humans.

I'm not panicking either. If it gets to the point where a significant percentage of people in my city are dying from it, I'll just lock myself in my apartment and play video games all day. Which is not really all that different from what I usually do. Hmmm.

Offline W7RE

  • Post-aholic
  • *****
  • Posts: 2,780
Re: The swine virus.
« Reply #22 on: Wednesday, April 29, 2009, 03:05:18 PM »
It has nothing to do with animals. It's just a name.

There's still probably someone out there fucking a pig. Maybe not related, but still important to know.

Offline Ghandi

  • Senior Member
  • *
  • Posts: 4,804
  • HAMS
Re: The swine virus.
« Reply #23 on: Wednesday, April 29, 2009, 04:05:44 PM »
Well it's been around in pigs for ages, it just doesn't usually spread to humans.

But it's not spread through consumption of meat. People keep making the illogical connection that eating pork causes swine flu, which is dumb.

Offline W7RE

  • Post-aholic
  • *****
  • Posts: 2,780
Re: The swine virus.
« Reply #24 on: Wednesday, April 29, 2009, 06:34:36 PM »

Offline angrykeebler

  • Veteran
  • ****
  • Posts: 1,717
Re: The swine virus.
« Reply #25 on: Wednesday, April 29, 2009, 07:54:09 PM »
Suck it, Pugnate.

Offline Xessive

  • Gold Member
  • *
  • Posts: 9,918
    • XSV @ deviantART
Re: The swine virus.
« Reply #26 on: Wednesday, April 29, 2009, 08:31:43 PM »
Hahahaha :P

Offline W7RE

  • Post-aholic
  • *****
  • Posts: 2,780
Re: The swine virus.
« Reply #27 on: Wednesday, April 29, 2009, 08:42:23 PM »
You wouldn't believe the type of stuff you find when you do a google image search on "pick fucking" with filters off.

Offline Pugnate

  • What? You no like?
  • Global Moderator
  • Forum god
  • *
  • Posts: 12,234
    • OW
Re: The swine virus.
« Reply #28 on: Thursday, April 30, 2009, 03:24:31 PM »
But it's not spread through consumption of meat. People keep making the illogical connection that eating pork causes swine flu, which is dumb.

Why is that dumb? Sure in this circumstance it isn't true, but when it came to this virus's earlier mutation - the H5N1 aka the bird flu -, the infection only occurred when the infected animal was eaten.

And since the 'swineflu' is similarly named as the 'birdflu', it is only natural for people to assume that it spreads in the same manner as well.


Offline Ghandi

  • Senior Member
  • *
  • Posts: 4,804
  • HAMS
Re: The swine virus.
« Reply #29 on: Thursday, April 30, 2009, 05:32:23 PM »
Oh, I wasn't aware that the bird flu was spread in that manner. I guess it's not so dumb now. :P

Offline Pugnate

  • What? You no like?
  • Global Moderator
  • Forum god
  • *
  • Posts: 12,234
    • OW
Re: The swine virus.
« Reply #30 on: Thursday, April 30, 2009, 11:10:48 PM »
hehe yea that's why it wasn't as likely to spread.

Offline Cools!

  • Administrator
  • Veteran
  • *
  • Posts: 1,628
  • Let's burn.
Re: The swine virus.
« Reply #31 on: Thursday, April 30, 2009, 11:25:30 PM »
Are we all going to die? Again?

The flu changes on a seasonal basis, it's always a concern. This situation needs to be handled properly without causing panic. The media is creating too many problems. The gov should let the doctors do their job. There was an swine flu outbreak in the 70s and more people died as a result of the rushed vaccine.


Offline shock

  • Poster Child
  • ***
  • Posts: 994
Re: The swine virus.
« Reply #32 on: Friday, May 01, 2009, 12:47:12 AM »
The vast, vast majority of people recover without any need for treatment/antivirals/antibiotics/etc!

The media just needs a story, and this is the one they've chosen.

This is SARs all over again in ridiculous exaggeration of actual events in favor of selling a story.  Be afraid!  Tune in at 5!
Suck it, Pugnate.

Offline idolminds

  • ZOMG!
  • Administrator
  • Forum god
  • *
  • Posts: 11,930
Re: The swine virus.
« Reply #33 on: Friday, May 01, 2009, 12:52:40 AM »

Offline scottws

  • Gold Member
  • *
  • Posts: 6,602
    • Facebook Me
Re: The swine virus.
« Reply #34 on: Friday, May 01, 2009, 04:30:58 AM »
OMG this is crazy.  Yesterday, Joe Biden said on The Today Show that he is telling his family not to go in confined spaces like subways and planes.  Today, the director of the CDC said those places are "perfectly safe, but it might be a good idea to bring a little hand sanitizer" and the press secretary is saying Joe Biden meant to say that if his family members felt sick, then they shouldn't go in confined spaces.

What a joke.  Matt Lauer this morning made a comment that sometimes "political gaffes are when a politician accidentally speaks the truth".

I don't know what to think at this point.

Offline Xessive

  • Gold Member
  • *
  • Posts: 9,918
    • XSV @ deviantART
Re: The swine virus.
« Reply #35 on: Friday, May 01, 2009, 08:12:43 AM »
I say treat it like the average flu outbreak in a neighbourhood:

1. Don't share cutlery and other utensils.
2. Don't get crammed in a crowd i.e. in a bus.
3. Don't make-out with strangers i.e. in a club.
4. Always carry extra sanitary napkins.

Offline beo

  • Veteran
  • ****
  • Posts: 1,480
  • ****
Re: The swine virus.
« Reply #36 on: Friday, May 01, 2009, 10:53:34 AM »
i say treat it like the average overblown media scare:

1. don't give a fuck.

Offline Pugnate

  • What? You no like?
  • Global Moderator
  • Forum god
  • *
  • Posts: 12,234
    • OW
Re: The swine virus.
« Reply #37 on: Friday, May 01, 2009, 12:39:59 PM »
I guess Beo didn't like:

"3. Don't make-out with strangers i.e. in a club."

Offline beo

  • Veteran
  • ****
  • Posts: 1,480
  • ****
Re: The swine virus.
« Reply #38 on: Friday, May 01, 2009, 06:54:43 PM »
seriously though - it's fucking ridiculous. one of my best friends works for the british press association, and pretty much everybody there thinks it's the most over-hyped story of the last ten years. remember bird flu? anybody you know die of it - anybody you know even catch it? even the vast majority of those who did catch it were fine - and that had far greater potential health risks than this. this is just a big steaming pile of bullshit made to sell papers and get you watching the adverts in-between "news" segments. i thought you were all more intelligent than to buy in to this crap.

here's a quote from the bbc news website:
Quote
The swine flu strain is a H1N1 virus, the same type as seasonal flu which circulates throughout the world every year, and kills roughly 0.1% of those infected or higher in an epidemic year.
- oooh, terrifying. i better avoid pigs and mexicans until the man on the news says this is all over. fucks sake...

also, joe biden's either an idiot or a douche - either way, he should obviously be ignored from now on.

Offline Xessive

  • Gold Member
  • *
  • Posts: 9,918
    • XSV @ deviantART
Re: The swine virus.
« Reply #39 on: Friday, May 01, 2009, 08:23:19 PM »
It's same as SARS. It's only severe for people with low immunities, much like a regular flu would be anyway. During the SARS "epidemic" (as they called it) there were few severe cases with newborns but the only fatal cases were people over 60 yrs of age.

I'd only be concerned if something like Polio made a comeback.