Tracking the next pandemic: Avian Flu Talk |
"chaos and panic" |
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pugmom
Valued Member Joined: March 28 2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 415 |
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Posted: May 23 2006 at 6:56pm |
May 23, 2006
Public health journalists in the study view the threat of a pandemic as highly serious. They believe a pandemic could lead to potential "societal breakdown," "chaos," and "panic." And, the vast majority of respondents judge the nation's response to pandemic flu to be either insufficient, misdirected, or both. Peter D. Hart Research Associates wrote the report, which is based on 20 one-on-one telephone interviews conducted from March 3 to 29, 2006, with leading health journalists, representing national and regional media from print and broadcast organizations. The report was released by the non-profit, non-partisan Trust for America's Health (TFAH) and the Mailman School of Public Health of Columbia University. Journalists in the study recognize the federal government has taken positive steps to prepare for a pandemic flu outbreak, particularly toward investing in vaccine research, but overall, they criticize the "generalities" that they view permeate preparedness planning, citing such areas of weakness as unclear government leadership and poor communication with the business community and the public on how to maintain day-to-day life during a pandemic. For instance, one respondent believed a pervasive divisiveness in the government is hampering preparedness efforts, with a high likelihood that these jurisdictional and political rivalries will only intensify during a crisis. Reporters also cite problems with emergency hospital preparedness as one of their biggest concerns. Additionally, the journalists think the media would play an important role during a flu pandemic as a crucial link to the public. News organizations would have to strike a balance between working with the government to disseminate accurate and timely information to the public, and holding policymakers accountable for pandemic-related decisions and actions. One respondent believed avian flu could "change life as we know it," and wanted coverage to prepare the public without being alarmist or causing panic. Other journalists are wary of the sometimes "sensational" and "irresponsible" coverage of avian and pandemic flu and suggested that due to the subject's complexity, covering this story should be restricted to journalists with the background and sources to accurately portray the threat. Journalists also believe the public has adopted a "wait and see" approach to pandemic flu, with few Americans truly understanding the threat or what they can do to prepare. |
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jpc
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Hi Pugmom, I can't imagine what would happen if the local governments told the communities that they had lets say 1 week to prep. As I drive around my neighborhood I can't imagine how our lives could change. I've been trying to convince even one friend to read up on this. I think I'm getting through slowly but no one is prepping yet. Chaos and panic will certainly occur.
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I don't see why all the media folks are worried about creating panic/fear in the public. A little panic would be better now rather than a big panic later. I've been to my physician twice in the past month and you would think that they would be the first to mention this to all their patients. The government could have included a pamphlet with all the tax returns. Any one of a number of national agencies could put an hour special on prime time TV. There's a number of options, but so far, everyone is just talking about how everyone else isn't doing their job. I truly hope someone stands up to the plate soon if they expect people to prepare. You're right Ruth, no one can prepare in a week. |
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Hey .... maybe we can all make up a flier and put in mailboxes around us! (have to do it at night, so no one would know it was us though!) -k
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pugmom
Valued Member Joined: March 28 2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 415 |
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Hi Ruth and Readymom! Just turned the TV to the Bloomberg financial news network, and guess what--they were interviewing the WHO representative in Indonesia, (on the phone). Only caught about 45 seconds, he was saying all the stuff we have been debating here on this forum--nothing new in the way of "news", but his final statement was very strong and said if it goes pandemic it could have disatrous consequences for the social fabric of civilization. It IS starting to bubble up in the main news media, finally. My husband and I are now debating about getting a couple of laying hens--constant supply of eggs--I believe the pandemic will get here long before the bug gets into the poulty. Oh! My! Another project to think about and then get up and running.
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jpc
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Like my kids wanting to go "rolling" (hey -we could always storm
the White House dresses like chickens - one way to make the news)
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Gimme
Valued Member Joined: March 19 2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 428 |
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gettingready,
"I don't see why all the media folks are worried about creating panic/fear in the public. A little panic would be better now rather than a big panic later."
~~~
I totally agree with you. I didn't hear a peep on the cable networks re: the quarantine in Bucharest. Since WHEN is 13,000 people quarantined NOT News or even in the paper (well it wasnt in the Detroit News) They aren't covering it honestly. No mention of Indonesia.. nothing at all. Last thing we heard was how well Vietnam was doing and if you just read the headlines, like so many people do, it gives folks a sense that all is well when it's not.
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fiddlerdave2
V.I.P. Member Joined: April 18 2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 150 |
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Despite all the rumors to the contrary, media is owned by big business, and bad news about the near future is bad for business and political leaders. Until utterly forced to by events, things like this will be ugnored. Currently, it astounds me that it seems like 20 minuted of every hour on Fox is dedicated to the "unjust" accusations against the Frat boys at a university for rape! Man, it may sure be a false accusation, but in this whole world, the fact some rich kids are gonna miss their racquetball season is our top concern? While cluster after after cluster of BF erupts? Not to mention the "perfect storm" we may be having, as other backround reports indicate our miltary forces will be in position to invade Iran (or back Israel) in June? Whether you think this invasion is a good idea or a bad one, the combination of a not-minor war with the mideast and the initial edge of the pandemic wave is really giving me the willies! Every infrastucture breakdown predicted for the pandemic preceeded by oil spiking to $200 a barrel and being inadequate anyway? Actual reprisals from the war front AND overwhelmed hospitals? Its gonna make the Apocolypse look 2-bit.
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Dave
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Remember, we were in a war in 1918 also. They say "history has a way of repeating itself."
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Thanks for the humor, this morning these all made me chuckle!:
pugmom-My husband and I are now debating about getting a couple of laying hens--constant supply of eggs
gettingready- (hey -we could always storm
the White House dresses like chickens -
Gimme -I didn't hear a peep on the cable networks And I find out that CHICKEN is being served at my In-Laws 50th Anniversary party! |
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Luna
Experienced Member Joined: May 23 2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 14 |
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Don't forget that Fox News has no news. It's by, and reason for existence is to further the cause of, big business and the powerful elite. Their Fair and Balanced motto was totally tongue in cheek. Their only agenda is to keep the masses misdirected and ignorant. They never, ever just report, they spend all their time telling the people watching what they should think. Your observation is a case in point. Do a Google search on "Fox News Study" and you'll see just how effective they've been in brainwashing their viewers. Fox watchers are the least likely to know what's going on in the world. Save your brain, and maybe the world, turn off Fox.
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Panic and fear ! The news is full of stuff that would scare anyone. The movies are worse.
This "casuing panic" excuse is BS
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I live in Cincinnati, OH. They mentioned the cluster on page 9 of the Cincinnati Enquirer. It said that there was limited transmission but that the virus had not mutated to one that could start a pandemic.
The front page top story was on American Idol. Nobody around me will take this thing seriously. Nobody is preparing. They just keep saying they will wait and see. Everyone seems to think that they will have enough warning time to get ready. They will be fighting each other at the store for the last can of vienna sausages.
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maryk
V.I.P. Member Joined: February 25 2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 168 |
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Hello Angie, i live in the cinci area, their are a few of us here prepping that i know of. It is good to know your out their. Good Luck.
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MelodyAtHome
Valued Member Joined: May 16 2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 2018 |
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I don't understand why people aren't prepped for any event. Even if bf does not come to pass(which it looks like it may) but even if it doesn't one should be prepared for hurricanes, earthquakes, terrorist attacks, other natural disasters, illnesses in family, loss of income, etc...Just my 2 cents
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Melody
Emergency Preparedness 911 http://emergencypreparedness911.blogspot.com/ |
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Gimme
Valued Member Joined: March 19 2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 428 |
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Luna You said in part "Don't forget that Fox News has no news." I disagree TOTALLY with that statement. If I didn't listen to Fox w/Brit Hume, I wouldn't listen to the news at all. I don't consider myself "brainwashed" (btw I resent that statement) - I get disgusted watching some of the other networks and while I don't agree totally with some of the anchors on Fox, generally its suits me just fine. Thank you very much!!
I agree with FiddlerDave2 re: the Frat Boyz.. who the hell cares? That's not national news IMHO. No verbal mention of BF on any of the stations Luna, maybe as aside comment but not bringing it to the front. They all have the AP wire and Reuters, all have BF mentioned on their websites. Why is this not NEWS? Panic? Chick stocks goin down? (I love this saying) "No crediblie evidence"...
As far as the comment of Dave's that the US is positioning to invade Iran, well where does that come from? That would be total lunacy to go into Iran. If we are getting ready to pull our troops out of there, no new troop deployments into Iraq. Where did that come from? I wouldn't be surprised if Israel was to bomb the crap out of Iran though, with that nutcake in charge though.
H5N1 is the threat that ALL THE NETWORKS FAIL to mention. It's obnoxous and in the end derilict that they don't mention it. It's the kind of failure (only worse), similar to not protecting our borders and we can thank all those kissbutt elected officials for the illegal invasion into our country from the leaky borders and not fining employers.
Just think, if it were not for the Internet, we'd be so unprepared, totally taken by surprise regarding H5N1 and its spread and its danger to the world, not just our country(USA) , sorry I forget sometimes that this is an international BB - and thank the HEAVENS for that oh yeah, and Albert.
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Gimme
Valued Member Joined: March 19 2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 428 |
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Readymom,
"And I find out that CHICKEN is being served at my In-Laws 50th Anniversary party! "
YIKES!! Well you know "if you cook poultry properly" (ready the bio suits folks) "there's no danger at all".
Become a vegetarian?
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