Ladywriter 7,783 Report post Posted July 9, 2009 The White House, Washington "As the President's advisor on Homeland Security, I am passing along the following message from Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of Health and Human Services, Janet Napolitano, Secretary of Homeland Security, and Arne Duncan, Secretary of Education, who are leading the efforts to prepare our Nation for the coming flu season." Fellow Americans, This spring we were confronted with an outbreak of a troubling flu virus called 2009-H1N1. As the fall flu season approaches, it is critical that we reinvigorate our preparedness efforts across the country in order to mitigate the effects of this virus on our communities. Today, we are holding an H1N1 Influenza Preparedness Summit in conjunction with the White House to discuss our Nation's preparedness. We are working together to monitor the spread of 2009-H1N1 and to prepare to initiate a voluntary fall vaccination program against the 2009-H1N1 flu virus, assuming we have a safe vaccine and do not see changes in the virus that would render the vaccine ineffective. But the most critical steps to mitigating the effects of 2009-H1N1 won't take place in Washington -- they will take place in your homes, schools and community businesses. Taking precautions for this fall's flu season is a responsibility we all share. Visit Flu.gov to make sure you are ready and learn how you can help promote public awareness. [ http://www.whitehouse.gov/redirect/flu-gov/ ] We are making every effort to have a safe and effective vaccine available for distribution as soon as possible, but our current estimate is that it won't be ready before mid-October. This makes individual prevention even more critical. Wash your hands regularly. Take the necessary precautions to stay healthy and if you do get sick, stay home from work or school. We are doing everything possible to prepare for the fall flu season and encourage all Americans to do the same -- this is a shared responsibility and now is the time to prepare. Please visit Flu.gov to learn what steps you can take to prepare and do your part to mitigate the effects of H1N1. [ http://www.whitehouse.gov/redirect/flu-gov/ ] Take Care, Kathleen, Janet and Arne :sick:about 90% of the earths population lives in the Northern Hemisphere Quote Look at the flowers Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ladywriter 7,783 Report post Posted July 10, 2009 Law Enforcement Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklist States should plan on utilizing their National Guard to perform law enforcement and security functions during a pandemic influenza. The National Guard under the command and control of the respective State’s Governor is not subject to Posse Comitatus Act restrictions as are Federal military forces. Availability of one State’s National Guard to support another States plans under an existing compact (e.g., Emergency Management Assistance Compact) may be limited due to competing demands in their home State.which reminded me...U.S. Northern Command, Canada Command establish new bilateral Civil Assistance Plan U.S. Air Force Gen. Gene Renuart, left, commander of North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command, and Canadian Air Force Lt.-Gen. Marc Dumais, commander of Canada Command, signed a Civil Assistance Plan that allows the military from one nation to support the armed forces of the other nation during a civil emergency. The signing took place at U.S. Army North headquarters, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, Feb. 14, 2008.“This document is a unique, bilateral military plan to align our respective national military plans to respond quickly to the other nation's requests for military support of civil authorities,” Renuart said. still going thru it Quote Look at the flowers Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dubird 6,815 Report post Posted July 10, 2009 Dude. Everyone is panicing over this. Yeah, it can be serious, but it's really not that much more dangerous than the regular flu. In fact, a regular flu shot, while not completly protecting you, can boost your body's defense against swine flu. That, and taking the normal regular precautions you would during flu season, and you'll be fine. It's the ones that get sick and then don't take care of themselves that end up spreading it and making things worse. Quote Yesterday was the deadline for all complaints! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ladywriter 7,783 Report post Posted July 10, 2009 flu shots target specific strains. basically they guess what flu bug will be most rampant that season and inoculate against it. they're moving into trials for h1n1 next month Quote Look at the flowers Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
