Liberal MPs apologized Wednesday for distributing a household flyer that attacks the government’s handling of H1N1 among aboriginals with the slogan “No vaccines, just body bags.”
The flyer, mailed as a message from Liberal health critic Dr. Carolyn Bennett, features a picture of body bags in a lab and a sick aboriginal child.
Grand Chief Ron Evans of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs told a parliamentary committee the flyer was “very disturbing...it’s really troubling to our people.”
The pamphlet arrived on doorsteps after an investigation into an incident in which an official ordered 100 body bags for a First Nations community in Manitoba struggling with an H1N1 outbreak. The investigation concluded there was no ill will and the number was a miscalculation.
.......
But Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq wasn’t satisfied. She told the CBC, “We are in a pandemic situation where Dr. Bennett should know better.
“First Nations communities should not be used as punching bags for a political party.”
Good for Minister Aglukkaq, this has been made into a political issue by the Liberals from the get go. I'm afraid Dr. Bennett is a politician not a doctor, even if she has the degree. How childish and dangerous for her to be sending a flyer like that when we have a serious health crisis happening.
My husband and I have been discussing the vaccine for our boys. About 2 weeks ago, my oldest stayed home not feeling very well, but he had no fever or vomiting, then my youngest came down with the same thing, then both my husband and I started feeling bad but not bad enough to stay home, we were all just mildly under the weather, no fevers. So, did we all have H1N1? If so, none of us need the vaccine. Problem is that testing to see if you have H1N1 has stopped and the assumption is that if you have the flu, it's H1N1.
Here is an article that I found very helpful. Is it swine flu? When parents should call a doctor
How do I know if my child has swine flu or a regular flu?
Without laboratory testing, it's difficult to tell the difference between swine flu and seasonal flu. And with the strain established in communities across Canada, doctors are no longer testing to determine which types of flu people have.
But because the H1N1 is circulating so widely and "pushing out" other strains, chances are good that if you catch the flu in the next couple of months, you've caught swine flu.
The symptoms of swine flu in kids older than five are similar to those of regular flu. They are:
* fever of 38 C (100.4 F) or higher when measured orally
* coughing and sore throat
* fatigue
* lack of appetite
* sometimes vomiting and diarrhea, especially in younger children
Make sure you read the rest of the article, it's very informative for parents. I asked my youngest how many kids were missing from his class today, he said about 11 out of 30, so it appears the flu is here. Now, the question is, have we already, without knowing it helped to spread the flu? Or, was it something else and we should still get the vaccine? In the end, you can consult all the doctors you want, but the decision is yours to make. We are waiting for the people really at risk to get their flu shots before we make our final decision. If we have already had H1N1 and recovered, then no need for us to take up someone else's spot in the vaccine lineup.
All the information is available for those who want to make an informed decision. Look at the sidebar of the above article, lots of links are available.
H/T to posters Gabby in QC, Bec, and MaryT for some great links and comments here.
14 comments:
I had the flu shot yesterday. I always get the flu shot. I have contact with a lot of people in the course of my average week. Kids in school are also exposed to many people. I think taking the flu sot is generally a good idea.
I too am not very happy with some of the hysteria we have seen over this flu. I must say I find the measured response of the government reasonable.
Thanks for the h/t, Hunter.
Here's two more links that are informative.
http://www.examiner.com/x-22884-Canada-Politics-Examiner~y2009m10d29-The-H1N1-vaccine-I-get-answers-to-your-questions
http://www.newstalk1010.com/player/player?mediapath=&type=mp3&sid=81&nid=1012896&
We conservatives often justifiably slam the media, but there are a few journalists who are doing their job well. One of those is Brian Lilley, Ottawa Bureau Chief for Newstalk 1010 (Toronto) and CJAD (Montreal).
The second link is an interview with Canada's Chief Public Health Officer, Dr. David Butler-Jones, answering questions on some of the concerns people have about the vaccine.
BTW, I think I misunderstood what one doctor on a local radio station said about the contents of the adjuvant in the H1N1 vaccine. I understood it as some kind of oil + Vitamin E. Apparently, if I heard Dr. Jones correctly, it's charcoal (?) + water + Vitamin E.
I've been mulling over the "charcoal ?" part of the adjuvant in the vaccine - maybe it's "shark oil"?
Anyway, the fact remains that the vaccine is apparently safe.
Something I was not aware of - apparently the Chief Medical Officer for Canada,Dr. David Butler-Jones, was actually appointed by Caroline Bennett when she was Health Minister. So why is she now trying to make out he doesn't know what he's doing ?
We will be lining up for the H1N shot later this afternoon. We had the regular flu vaccine last week. We have our fingers crossed that no one in our house gets sick....our flight to Maui leaves in exactly one week, but this is what cancelation insurance is for.
I'm hoping that this H1N1 turns out to be another Y2K which was more hype than anything.
repost from yesterday, since the auto moderation started when I commented:
Liberal Supporter at 7:56:00 PM, in the first place, I don't live in Germany, and although it's a very nice country and all, I prefer to consider whatever advice is being given in MY country, by MY government officials.
I wouldn't know what it is like in Germany, I'm not a fan. But they are a democracy with a centre right government, and for some reason the government and the military get a difference H1N1 vaccine.
Which of the vaccines will Stephen Harper get?
The advice given in OUR country by OUR government officials is not based on any testing here, but rather tests in other countries, such as the one with one vaccine for the government, and one for everyone else.
Which of the vaccines will Harper get? Which will YOU get?
But since you seem to prefer foreign experts to home-grown ones, here, knock yourself out:
http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html.
Nice sneer, but the WHO site does not mention the two different vaccines, nor why some people get one while others get the other.
the adjuvant in this case is a form of oil (unnamed) and Vitamin E.
The oil is shark liver oil and the adjuvant is called squalene. It is linked to Gulf War Syndrome though not conclusively proven. The US FDA has never approved this adjuvant. There are adjuvants in other approved vaccines but those are based on aluminum.
Oh, before I forget … Let’s leave the climate change “crisis” for another day, shall we? Unlike Emanuel Rahm, I don’t believe in this: “You never want a good crisis to go to waste.”.
I think you are using some form of right wing code, but since I didn't get the fax I have no idea what these references are. It simply appears that you are trying to divert attention away from the fact that climate change science is well established and has a lot of research, while on the other hand, we are being asked to accept injections of material that has only had a few trials. They aren't even testing the adjuvanted vaccines yet, only the unadjuvanted ones.
I’d rather true crises be met head-on, with as much factual information from as many experts as possible, not from cultists who want to live in some mythical Arcadia.
You'll have to decode that statement for me. It sounds like you would like to see some action on climate change, since the science is relatively mature. Yet on the other hand, you sound a lot like your own stereotype of climate scientists, claiming "the science is settled" when there is not enough data to make such a declaration about the safety of all of these new vaccines.
Are you agreeing with Obama declaring a swine flu emergency?
I'm hoping that this H1N1 turns out to be another Y2K which was more hype than anything.
I hope so too, except Y2K is usually touted as a "hoax", when in fact it is a prime example of potential major problem averted.
The death of the 13 year old hockey player has changed everything. I'm not hearing anyone saying they won't get the shot now.
Those that claimed Y2K to be a hoax were far more rational than those claiming airplanes were going to fall out of the sky, your bank account would disappear and all of the worlds nukes would launch simultaneously at midnight.
Anyone running the newest operating systems software had nothing to worry about. Companies that for whatever reason never updated their ancient databases and progrmas had a few concerns, but it was nothing near the doom and gloom served up daily in the news.
Just because nothing happened doesn't mean a crisis was averted.
On the other hand, fast forward ten years and we have a new crop of chicken littles saying that you better stock up on bottled water and canned goods because "what if the grocery store truck drivers all get the flu and I can't get my Evian and beans?" Whether these bed wetters are getting vaccinated or not is not relivant. There are those that simply like to stir up crap.
I'm still hearing many people saying they still won't get the shot, including a close relative who is front line health care delivery.
The Canadian vaccine is a 'weaker' dose than that of the Americans, but it is based on the recipe of flu shots administered in the past, but with the H1N1 component added. This was the reason I decided to get the shot-the fact that it's not unlike something I may have already been injected with in the past. A friend who is also a physician also offered some advice.
" ... repost from yesterday, since the auto moderation started when I commented:"
It must be another right-wing conspiracy, in addition to all the others you allude to in your post.
Look, believe what you want. Go ahead, believe the pharma companies are out to kill us all. No degree of reasonable exchanges from me will dissuade you from your anti-anything-conservative position, your anti-corporate stance, and your personal hate-on for the PM.
Climate change?
Who diverted the topic from the H1N1 fly to climate change?
You did. Try to stay on topic, will you?
Emanuel Rahm? Right-wing code?
Cue hilarious laughter
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rahm_Emanuel
BTW, you're proving the lefty tendency to control other people's decisions.
Which vaccine will the PM get? None of your business.
Which one will I get?
Ditto.
Poor you, thinking everyone's out to get you ... must be a miserable way to live. Have you tried transcendental meditation, or yoga? I hear it does wonders for such cases.
Those that claimed Y2K to be a hoax were far more rational than those claiming airplanes were going to fall out of the sky, your bank account would disappear and all of the worlds nukes would launch simultaneously at midnight.
I never heard any of those claims being made seriously. I must have been too busy working on one of many remediation projects myself. I did hear about possible worst case scenarios, based on potential interactions between many systems. For example, we had major power blackouts in 1965 and 2003 caused by relatively minor systems failing and the effect rippling through the system. Conventional systems theory will tell you that if several time based systems that normally interact with each other have rollover problems that the effects could cascade between the systems in unpredictable ways.
Just as I keep some candles and flashlights on hand for power outages, I took an extra $200 out of the bank just before the Y2K rollover, and made sure I had my bankbook up to date. But then, I tend to refill my vehicle when it goes below half, just to avoid getting inconvenienced.
I recall that the biggest system problems turned out to be in military systems. There was a part of the US Pentagon's early warning system for missile attack that was blind for several hours. However, I figured it unlikely any other country would attempt an attack, since they would not trust their own systems to work perfectly either.
The main concern was that any time based system errors would all happen at once, unlike the usual situation where one part of a system fails and redundancy mitigates the effects.
Whenever someone tries to sell me something as "not tested on animals", I say that doesn't matter me, what is important is if it was tested on people. So I won't be first in line for the H1N1 shot, I'll make sure it has been tested on many people first, since it appears they are rushing to get it generally available and possibly taking shortcuts in the process.
Look, believe what you want. Go ahead, believe the pharma companies are out to kill us all.
Who made that claim? Oh, that's right, it was yet another of your straw men. Horses are going hungry with all the straw you are using.
No degree of reasonable exchanges from me will dissuade you from your anti-anything-conservative position, your anti-corporate stance, and your personal hate-on for the PM.
Project much? Please think of the horses. Do you have other little sneers to cut and paste? I'd like to get the whole set.
I am against the agenda of the current CPC, which is a far cry from conventional conservatism. I own corporations, so I don't see where you get your "anti-corporate" smear from. As for the PM, he seems nice enough, I'd have a beer with him. I just don't want him implementing his far right agenda which is not hidden, though is not being heard a lot lately.
Do you always try to paint those who disagree with you as irrational and hateful?
Climate change?
Who diverted the topic from the H1N1 fly to climate change?
You did. Try to stay on topic, will you?
Try improving your reading comprehension. I was giving an example of science that you reject, while you accept other science unquestioningly. I was pointing out your hypocrisy.
Emanuel Rahm? Right-wing code?
Cue hilarious laughter
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rahm_Emanuel
Why don't you learn to embed links? It's not that hard. But still, exactly what does this person have to do with this discussion? You claim I am channel changing by pointing out your selective approach to science. What exactly does this guy have to do with it?
BTW, you're proving the lefty tendency to control other people's decisions.
And there we have the answer. You have revealed your own hyperpartisanism by accusing me of some stereotypical "lefty" behaviour you made up. You are the one who reflexively ignores some science, because you have decided it is "lefty". You are the one bringing in the non sequitur of some "lefty" expecting that is relevant in some way.
And exactly how does questioning something constitute "the lefty tendency to control other people's decisions"? You are the one trying to spin, spin and spin again to control other people's decisions. Please think of the horses, since the straw man of me trying to control peoples' decisions is bogus.
Which vaccine will the PM get? None of your business.
Which one will I get?
Ditto.
So we should just roll over and take whatever our government says, even if they won't practice what they preach. At least the German government made it public what the leaders are getting. I guess we just have to keep it a secret. Why? Or is it not politically correct to even ask anymore?
However your response is typical. I could care less which vaccine you are getting, since you are just a pseudonym. But you don't really know which one Harper or his government is getting, do you? Instead of simply admitting that, you get all authoritarian with "none of your business". Typical.
Poor you, thinking everyone's out to get you ... must be a miserable way to live.
Please, please please think of the horses. But you could certainly find work at any Cineplex, with the amount of projecting you do.
Have you tried transcendental meditation, or yoga? I hear it does wonders for such cases.
Thank you for your opinion, Doctor. Did you know that diagnosing over the internet is malpractice?
Please provide more of your weak insults. I suspect you lie awake nights thinking them up. Though they are more laughable because you think they are effective.
"straw men"
Cliché! You're flogging a dead horse!
"other little sneers to cut and paste"
All of it my original™ material.
"Please provide more of your weak insults. I suspect you lie awake nights thinking them up."
What?
So what happened to my fax and the "cut & paste sneers" I'm supposed to be receiving from Central Control?
P.S. Yes, I'm a partisan. I suppose you're not, right? Is that why you sign yourself "liberal supporter"?
Sorry, I have no more time to waste on your silly come-backs.
Yeah, yeah, you'll say I"m running away from debate.
But it's just horse sense - you and I will never agree on anything anyway, so why waste my time? I've said what I have to say. You've said your piece. Bye now!
"straw men"
Cliché! You're flogging a dead horse!
Still, the shoe fits. Typical fright winger, trying to control everything, now by outlawing common phrases.
"other little sneers to cut and paste"
All of it my original™ material.
You need new material. However, "cut and paste" refers to you having made up your sneers ahead of time, so you can spew them, even if they don't quite fit the actual situation. It's a sign you are not actually paying attention, just knee jerk reacting to any dissent.
"Please provide more of your weak insults. I suspect you lie awake nights thinking them up."
What?
So what happened to my fax and the "cut & paste sneers" I'm supposed to be receiving from Central Control?
You get your talking points from Central. You lie awake making up sneers to add to them. You then cut and paste from your files into your comments.
P.S. Yes, I'm a partisan. I suppose you're not, right? Is that why you sign yourself "liberal supporter"?
Projecting yet again. Where exactly did I claim I am not partisan? I am simply more honest. Nobody will read my words and wonder. I don't do stealth commenting and I don't do concern trolling.
Sorry, I have no more time to waste on your silly come-backs.
Sure you do. This is a full time position for you isn't it?
Yeah, yeah, you'll say I"m running away from debate.
Yes you are.
But it's just horse sense - you and I will never agree on anything anyway, so why waste my time?
In other words, you can only debate as far as your previously prepared insult sheet can go. You can't think on your feet, and you don't want to use up the rest of your lame material on one comment thread, since it took you so long to make it up.
I've said what I have to say. You've said your piece. Bye now!
It's been fun!
Ignore the trolls, it seems that they love to stop debate about the issues, like, that horrible flyer DR. Bennett sent out, which is a thousand times worse than the government sending the requested supplies to the First Nations community. Funny you don't see that headlining on our lefty news programs.
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