Minimal H1N1 vaccines leaves nation up in arms
Burke Reed
Issue date: 11/6/09 Section: World
Some schools have also decided to close their doors until things get better. According to MSNBC, education officials said that 198 schools in 15 states closed last Wednesday due to the 65,000 students who've caught the virus.
Many college classes, however, remain in session. Colleges nationally have created campaigns to keep their students aware and safe by distributing health tips on a regular basis and keeping sick students isolated while they wait for vaccines.
"We're doing all we can do to keep students aware and proactive," said Helen Rice, director of Student Health. "We can't walk behind them with hand sanitizer all day but we can educate them, which we're certainly trying to do."
Rice said that Guilford has received 300 H1N1 nasal mist vaccines for healthy people who do not have asthma or certain allergies. She has already set up hand sanitizer stations around campus, updated information through The Buzz, and recommends that students look at the H1N1 protocol on the Guilford Web site.
Although swine flu has swept the nation, many students feel that the real problem is rooted in the media.
"I had Influenza A last year and it was much worse; I could barely walk," said sophomore Sarah Skoke, who had swine flu earlier this year. "I think the media has made this into something bigger than it really is."
Sophomore Ben Heidi said his mother had the virus and no one should believe the hype.
"The problem keeps getting bigger because the media is freaking everyone out," said Heidi. "When my mom had it, I never felt that she was in danger and the worse thing to do in that situation is panic. People just need to relax. If you use certain precautions ahead of time like good hygiene and lying down when you feel sick, you'll be fine."
Many college classes, however, remain in session. Colleges nationally have created campaigns to keep their students aware and safe by distributing health tips on a regular basis and keeping sick students isolated while they wait for vaccines.
"We're doing all we can do to keep students aware and proactive," said Helen Rice, director of Student Health. "We can't walk behind them with hand sanitizer all day but we can educate them, which we're certainly trying to do."
Rice said that Guilford has received 300 H1N1 nasal mist vaccines for healthy people who do not have asthma or certain allergies. She has already set up hand sanitizer stations around campus, updated information through The Buzz, and recommends that students look at the H1N1 protocol on the Guilford Web site.
Although swine flu has swept the nation, many students feel that the real problem is rooted in the media.
"I had Influenza A last year and it was much worse; I could barely walk," said sophomore Sarah Skoke, who had swine flu earlier this year. "I think the media has made this into something bigger than it really is."
Sophomore Ben Heidi said his mother had the virus and no one should believe the hype.
"The problem keeps getting bigger because the media is freaking everyone out," said Heidi. "When my mom had it, I never felt that she was in danger and the worse thing to do in that situation is panic. People just need to relax. If you use certain precautions ahead of time like good hygiene and lying down when you feel sick, you'll be fine."
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george
posted 11/06/09 @ 4:32 AM EST
The government had every opportunity to relax the strict regulations on vaccine manufacture. The government could designate emergency manufacturing facilities and provide equipment. (Continued…)
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