Swine Flu
Earlier today I posted a comment on Facebook about the swine flu and how i wonder if we're not overreacting just a bit. I agree that we should take precautions. But come on, guys, the precautions need to be coordinated and make sense.
What brings on this near rant is the contradictory examples being set in Fort Worth. The school district announced last night that it would shut all 144 schools until May 8, and probably May 11. They even had a health official urge parents not to put their kids into day care, and to keep them out of crowds. All very sensible precautions even if the district still hasn't found out what they are supposed to do about the two days of TAKS testing they are missing or what will be done next week about the AP testings. This is on top of UIL canceling all athletic and academic competitions until the 11th and other districts either completely closing or closing individual schools.
http://www.star-telegram.com/804/story/1348647.html
Then along comes the city of Fort Worth and its decision to let Mayfest go on as planned this weekend. No, they won't be excluding children from the activities. So, these same kids who have been told not to come to school because of the possibility they might come into contact with someone with the swine flu, the same ones told not to go into crowds. are being courted by the city to go into a crowd of thousands. Can we say MIXED SIGNALS?
http://www.star-telegram.com/804/story/1348691.html
The feds won't close the border because, gee, the flu is already here. SoI guess we just keep letting it come over the border so we can pay for the medical treatment of those infected. We close our schools -- and Fort Worth has over 100k students and 11k employees -- but businesses stay open and public events go on. Am I the only one who sees a problem here?
If this is something bordering on being a pandemic, shouldn't our efforts to prevent the spread of the flu be well thought out and coordinated? Maybe I don't understand, but I'd sure like someone to explain the logic of what's happening in my own backyard.
UPDATE: Fort Worth has announced that it will be canceling Mayfest and the Cinco de Mayo festivities this weekend. So at least they are finally deciding to be somewhat consistent with their school district. I do feel sorry for those vendors who were going to be at Mayfest and who got less than a couple of hours notice before the festival was not going to open. This really could have been a decision made, if not last night, this morning.
What brings on this near rant is the contradictory examples being set in Fort Worth. The school district announced last night that it would shut all 144 schools until May 8, and probably May 11. They even had a health official urge parents not to put their kids into day care, and to keep them out of crowds. All very sensible precautions even if the district still hasn't found out what they are supposed to do about the two days of TAKS testing they are missing or what will be done next week about the AP testings. This is on top of UIL canceling all athletic and academic competitions until the 11th and other districts either completely closing or closing individual schools.
http://www.star-telegram.com/804/story/1348647.html
Then along comes the city of Fort Worth and its decision to let Mayfest go on as planned this weekend. No, they won't be excluding children from the activities. So, these same kids who have been told not to come to school because of the possibility they might come into contact with someone with the swine flu, the same ones told not to go into crowds. are being courted by the city to go into a crowd of thousands. Can we say MIXED SIGNALS?
http://www.star-telegram.com/804/story/1348691.html
The feds won't close the border because, gee, the flu is already here. SoI guess we just keep letting it come over the border so we can pay for the medical treatment of those infected. We close our schools -- and Fort Worth has over 100k students and 11k employees -- but businesses stay open and public events go on. Am I the only one who sees a problem here?
If this is something bordering on being a pandemic, shouldn't our efforts to prevent the spread of the flu be well thought out and coordinated? Maybe I don't understand, but I'd sure like someone to explain the logic of what's happening in my own backyard.
UPDATE: Fort Worth has announced that it will be canceling Mayfest and the Cinco de Mayo festivities this weekend. So at least they are finally deciding to be somewhat consistent with their school district. I do feel sorry for those vendors who were going to be at Mayfest and who got less than a couple of hours notice before the festival was not going to open. This really could have been a decision made, if not last night, this morning.