All we hear on the news recently is the possible forthcoming bird flu pandemic. Our wonderful media are tripping over themselves in the rush to whip up as much hysteria as they can.
FACT:
Only sixty (60) people out of the millions that populate this planet are alleged to have died from this avian virus.
FACT:
There is no concrete evidence that the strain affects humans in any way.
Yet here we are telling people to have jabs. From what I have read and correct me if am wrong, the only animals who are likely to suffer are the poor birds. This reminds me of the time several years ago when the news was broadcast that all eggs produced in this country carried the risk of salmonella. That old slapper Edwina Currie was responsible for devasting the egg industry in this country with her flippant remarks which were not supported by the relevant authorities at the time.
Don't these people realise the damage that they cause with these spurious outbursts? Only time will tell if they are right or wrong, but my money is on the latter. After all, the tragic Pakistan earthquake is now no longer headline news, so they try to goad the unsuspecting public into a mild panic.
I do believe that the great British public have more sense.
9 comments:
And causing a run on paracetamol and Lemsip in the shops no doubt. I'm told that the only thing that is cheaper to buy here than on the continent are newspapers and it shows!
You've only got to look at BSE/CJD to see how this will pan out. I've yet to see evidence that BSE infected beef causes CJD in humans. As far as I'm aware there isn't any but when the alleged link between BSE and CJD was reported, the word "alleged" was eventually dropped and it's treated as a 100% certain thing that BSE and CJD are linked.
Yeah and look how paranoid the french reacted.
Spanish Flu killed millions more than those who died in the 1st World War. Therefore pandemics are not unknown and can happen. Therefore this is a very real risk.
If this isn't significantly reported in the media then the likelihood is that the government wouldn't do as much to stock up on the vaccines. SO far we only have 25%.
The professionals are not saying that the flu has gone over to humans yet but there is that very real possibility. I would rather have panicky headlines than us burying our heads in the sand.
Cannot agree with you there Gaffa. A little cynical voice tells me that the drug companies see a very lucrative bonus coming their way.
Already the anxiety has started and GP's are being contacted by worried patients asking for the flu vaccine, which is actually totally ineffective because this is a BIRD virus.
jayne - If I had a quid for everytime that I had heard 'pandemic', I could buy my canal boat and retire.
It's not a vaccine... it's an anti-viral, and not an injection but a capsule...
And I've hidden my hens in case The Government (sic) put out a national culling decree.
I would be more concerned about your hens than myself. Keep an eye on them.
Unless you think the government scientists from many countries are in league with the drug companies - then I reckon there is a genuine chance that bird flu could cross over to humans. In fact hasn't a handful of people already died over the last few years. Although there is chance that this won't transfer - is it best to wait and do nothing?
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