Spare me the drama!
Working at the health region has its perks, don't get me wrong. I get good pay, really good benefits, get all my vacinations for free, ect, ect. BUT, when it comes to pandemics, such as the latest swine flu, my job truly does suck.
First of all, there is the internal drama. Whenever there is a pandemic, we, as the health region, obviously have quite a few things to deal with. Safety meetings, disaster plannings, ect, ect. Which is fine. Makes sense. I like being kept up to date on things and being aware of the situation before the rest of the public. That way I can decide with the cold hard facts if I should panic or not :P But, it means that I actually have to ATTEND these meetings - which are mandatory, and go through a whole 2 hour session on how one should properly wash their hands.
But the public. Oh, the public. I got my first call today from a lady "I'm feeling sick, how do I know if I have swine flu. Will I die?" Give me a freaking break. Seriously. First of all, while swine flu is contagious, the disease that has come over to the US and Canada is MILD-in fact, most people probably wouldn't be able to tell the difference between swine flu and a regular flu. But the problem with situations like this is that everytime someone starts feeling a little under the weather - which would normally be passed off as "slight cold, fever" they race to the emergency room, convinced that they are dying. Which is freaking ridiculous. People DO die occasionally from the flu-whether swine, bird, or regular flu. It's influenza. Some people are completely resistant to the vaccine, some have a compromised immune system, some are in deplorable conditions of poverty and can't breath clean air. The only reason the swine flu is such a huge deal at the time is because its a new strain of flu that does not have a current vaccine.
But honestly? For 99% of the population, it shouldn't be of any concern whatsoever except for the fact that you might feel slightly more nauseated and your chest might hurt as if you have a cold as well.
The power of suggestion is a huge problem in times like this. It simply adds to the fire. So, for God's sake, stay calm. Wash your hands. Don't travel to Mexico, and if you ARE feeling ill, call in sick from work so that you don't spread whatever you have around.
First of all, there is the internal drama. Whenever there is a pandemic, we, as the health region, obviously have quite a few things to deal with. Safety meetings, disaster plannings, ect, ect. Which is fine. Makes sense. I like being kept up to date on things and being aware of the situation before the rest of the public. That way I can decide with the cold hard facts if I should panic or not :P But, it means that I actually have to ATTEND these meetings - which are mandatory, and go through a whole 2 hour session on how one should properly wash their hands.
But the public. Oh, the public. I got my first call today from a lady "I'm feeling sick, how do I know if I have swine flu. Will I die?" Give me a freaking break. Seriously. First of all, while swine flu is contagious, the disease that has come over to the US and Canada is MILD-in fact, most people probably wouldn't be able to tell the difference between swine flu and a regular flu. But the problem with situations like this is that everytime someone starts feeling a little under the weather - which would normally be passed off as "slight cold, fever" they race to the emergency room, convinced that they are dying. Which is freaking ridiculous. People DO die occasionally from the flu-whether swine, bird, or regular flu. It's influenza. Some people are completely resistant to the vaccine, some have a compromised immune system, some are in deplorable conditions of poverty and can't breath clean air. The only reason the swine flu is such a huge deal at the time is because its a new strain of flu that does not have a current vaccine.
But honestly? For 99% of the population, it shouldn't be of any concern whatsoever except for the fact that you might feel slightly more nauseated and your chest might hurt as if you have a cold as well.
The power of suggestion is a huge problem in times like this. It simply adds to the fire. So, for God's sake, stay calm. Wash your hands. Don't travel to Mexico, and if you ARE feeling ill, call in sick from work so that you don't spread whatever you have around.