The Buzz: Obama Declares Swine Flu National Emergency

i-db861cac97e8341495746251aab5b37e-SwineFlu_HS.jpgPresident Obama declared the swine flu epidemic a national emergency on Saturday, after more than 1,000 US deaths--over 100 of them children--were confirmed as linked to the virus. The Centers for Disease Control report that this is purely a step towards preparedness, but many are wondering how effective this measure will be in preventing the spread of H1N1 in light of recent vaccine shortages. David Dobbs of Neuron Culture points out why the current chicken egg-based system of engineering vaccines is "too slow, too glitchy--and apparently, not terribly accountable." The White Coat Underground reported on the first round of H1N1 vaccines to hit his county and the "chaotic hodge-podge" of public health infrastructure. Over on Effect Measure, Revere covers the nationwide hysteria linked to the swine flu, including the CDC's warning of "swine flu parties" despite unsubstantiated evidence, and CBS's poorly-aimed spin and bad reporting around H1N1 virus testing.

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If you've ever wondered how spammers got your email address, the answer might be that you gave it to them by following a link you thought had important or interesting information. We all know the kind of "interesting" information people will follow. Sex is the biggest business on the internet.
While there's interest and some new readers, I figured I'd link some of my older posts on swine influenza and pandemic influenza in general for some additional background information and history. Keep in mind that these are unrelated to the current outbreak.
Yesterday one of the questions we asked was whether swine H1N1 would replace seasonal viruses this season.

Hopefully those 900 others that died are old people who opposed marriage equality. We're due for a pretty massive die off soon.