Flue Pantsdemic

[TimberWolf]

I received the flu leaflet in the post today and binned it. We've have probably squandered a £billion on Tamiflu so far, and it has a shelf life of 5 years. It does little to fight the bug anyway. Boomed.

[ThomasSoerensen]

I received the flu leaflet in the post today and binned it. We've have probably squandered a £billion on Tamiflu so far, and it has a shelf life of 5 years. It does little to fight the bug anyway. Boomed.

SO they actually made it. Idiots.

[Mich the Tester]

You got your epidemiology/statistics degree when, exactly?

That's an ad hominem argument. What precisely is wrong with my reasoning?

[minestrone]

Bagpuss is right to say it is coming, a Dr friend was at a meeting on pandemic action plans last year and the health board were saying "when it comes we will manipulate the media to maintain calm and not start a panic" which is quite funny considering every paper and news channel has been screaming SWINE FLU for the last 2 weeks. Everyone there was adamant it will come sooner rather than later.

gf had to test someone for swine flu last week, this involved going to the chaps house and putting on an apron, mask, gloves and goggles in the person's garden, he had been in Mexico and was unwell. She had to put a swab up the guys nose and then he sneezes on her. Great.

She is pretty sure this will come back within the year and kill quite a lot of people.

[sasguru]

That's an ad hominem argument. What precisely is wrong with my reasoning?

If you went to a hospital with cancer and were treated (correctly) by a nurse, would it be an ad-hominem argument on the nurse to insist on a doctor?

As for your "reasoning", it's not, just a series of assumptions/statements e.g. why should a quick and deadly virus run out of hosts if the hosts live long enough to infect others in a chain reaction?

HTH

[Don Clark]

NHS Communiqués

I heard that the best place to catch a sneeze if the crook of the arm, given no hanky is available. This will save you spreading your germs about and be most considerate to your fellow human beings. I have read many NHS communi on this matter and nowhere is the context or finer detail considered. If one were in ones best suit ready for a job interview would one, in the absence of tissue, sneeze into crook of arm of best suit? One would have to consider the interpretation of resultant snail like marks on ones arm(s). Would the interviewer think that’s good he/she is adhering to NHS policy and being a considerate sort and possibly saving the world from the most catastrophic pandemic since 1918, or are they going to think dirty busturd I don’t think I’m going to employ such a slug? I would suggest the latter. Never mind anyone else, there are soon to be three million unemployed and one does not want to be one due to adherence to sneezing etiquette in unsuitable situations. The government needs one to pay ones taxes and are all in favour of reducing dry-cleaning costs at the same time so I’m sure they would concur. On the other hand if one were down the pub in ones scruffs then the clientele may be considered in the directed fashion. It’s alright if one has a modicum of common sense and can distinguish the two situations and refine ones course of action appropriately, but if not then wanton disregard for the context in official communications can lead to undesirable effects on one’s life. That’s all I wanted to say on the matter.

[realityhack]

Flibble

Get out more.

And <cough in arm>whitespace!</cough in arm>.

[cailin maith]

When I have a really bad cold and I sneeze, snot comes out of my eye (the left one) and my nose... but it's ok, my glasses stop it going any further

[Drewster]

When I have a really bad cold and I sneeze, snot comes out of my eye (the left one) and my nose... but it's ok, my glasses stop it going any further

As "party tricks" go - I've seen better!

[cailin maith]

As "party tricks" go - I've seen better!