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August 16, 2005
Coming Pandemic
The avian flu is spreading. Hugh Hewitt offers an extensive and sobering review of the problem this morning.
A doctor friend of mine recently turned me on to Flu Wikie, a website that seeks to “help local communities prepare for and perhaps cope with a possible influenza pandemic.”
Flu Wikie is an interesting experiment in on-line collaboration; the first of which that I am aware that attempts to address a potential public health crisis in advance. If and when the avian flu hits with the force expected, I anticipate this site will receive much attention.
It is our unfortunate nature to avoid confronting a problem until it festers and demands attention. The looming avian flu pandemic appears to be in line with this precedent. The President is reading about influenza this summer, but I hope that his book choice has more to do with studying than recreation.
Posted by Rick at August 16, 2005 03:36 PM
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Thanks for the link to Hugh Hewitt, I have sent it to all my family members and friends.
You are right: perhaps we do ignore a problem until it surrounds us: should this be something the Ad Council or CDC should be running ads about right now?
Posted by: the daily missive at August 17, 2005 09:16 PM
Thanks for the post, Rick, and the Flu Wiki mention. This cuts across all ideological and political boundaries. While I've been known to take a swipe or two (heh) at the Bush administration, Flu Wiki is a non-partisan site, community edited to keep it that way. Dr. Frist has it right; on this topic, he deserves our support and activism.
Anyone wanting more background can check on Flu Wiki about the 1918-9 Influenza outbreak, or read Barry's book like Bush is doing.
Should you worry? Here's a (worst-case) Canadian financial link worth reading, too.
Posted by: DemFromCT at August 18, 2005 09:49 AM