Could someone please help them do the math?!
Currently, the US population is estimated to be 306,331,120. Yesterday there were 109 confirmed cases of the I read that Ft. Worth closed their entire district of 80,0000 students because 1 student (.00125%) had the flu. So next winter, when my kids get a stomach bug or tell me 3 or 4 kids in their class are out with strep throat, I can expect the schools to be shut down?
Around here, school is still in session, but only for class. Every extracurricular activity, club meeting, field trip or other event (including outdoor track meets!) have been cancelled until at least May 11.
I don't have to tell you what calendars generally look like this time of year. Explain to an 8th grader why something she's looked forward to for the entire year is suddenly canceled by the schools that are supposed to be teaching her math, reason and logic.
There was a traffic fatality in our city this morning. They didn't shut down every freeway and street in the state or even the city.
I'm going to back away slowly from my soapbox now. And here's a song for the day which I think they must be singing in decision-making meetings - "That darling month when ev'ryone throws Self-control away."
Happy May!
Finally, a voice of reason. Thank you very much.
ReplyDeleteHappy May Day, Linda! Today is my daughter's 21st b-day...I am going to send her your Julie Andrews youtube! ~Suzanne
ReplyDeleteAmen! You just stay right on that soap box b/c this is crazy!!!
ReplyDeleteYou said it! I just saw this quote and thought of you:
ReplyDelete"The man who doesn't read good books has no advantage over the man
who can't read them."
-Mark Twain
Thank God for books. I'm going to go read. ; )
I so hear you! Try to explain to a 12 year old that he can't trust what the news is saying! They are sensationalizing (is that a word?)) everything! People have to use reason and common sense! I love the stats you used! Maybe someone should send that to the news and school systems!
ReplyDeletei think i will give you a podium for your soapbox...common sense is sorely lacking...
ReplyDeletedo i think it is being handled badly yes, but it is also not a catastrophe.
oh my goodness. About time someone was brave enough to say just that. I have been thinking it but keep thinking there must be something about it that I have been missing. Good for you.
ReplyDeleteI agree. I'm glad I'm not the only one who had to vent about this. My son's baseball games are canceled (in the open outdoors), but my daughter's youth event with 200 folks from miles around is still on. Something doesn't quite make sense there...
ReplyDeleteI agree. I've been spouting perspective right and left. I understand they don't know what it's going to look like. But really, the death rate is much lower than they previously thought. And they previously thought it was a whopping .00018 percent of Mexico's population.
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't look to be any worse than the seasonal flu. I feel bad for all the people who are so afraid.
Thank you for the stats and especially for using H1N1 instead of the other name for it- the poor, poor pig farmers- they're just trying to make a living too.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I'm new and trying to make some friends- 2nd cup lid's site seems to point me towards so many very cool bloggers, of which you are definately one. I dream of the day that my blog has its own trademark or even a pic!
Stop in sometime and say hello.
Heidi
Yes, Yes, Yes.
ReplyDeleteLast year it was staph.
The year before it was meningitis.
We haven't had any closings but have received the pamphlets, letters home etc AND of course the media is loving every minute.
I loved your analogy about closing the school because of the traffic accident.
Uh oh...I just cleared my throat. I better quaranteen my neighborhood!
Rant on, sister. I don't understand how canceling school a day or postponing athletic events prevents the flu? But, in one way I was glad: I didn't have to pull double duty this past weekend, shuffling back and forth from basketball tournament to cycling race and back to basketball. Just cycling. And that was enough.
ReplyDeleteOH don't even get me started.
ReplyDelete