Swine flu, your opinion?

[Bob]

It's fall already.  Or fall enough.  Time to see what happens with the swine flu.

A news report I saw about the vaccine made the vaccine sound more like a concern than the flu.

[gep]

It's fall already.  Or fall enough.  Time to see what happens with the swine flu.

A news report I saw about the vaccine made the vaccine sound more like a concern than the flu.

Overhere (in The Netherlands) the 2nd swine flu death has been announced. This person, like the 1st was very (fatally) ill beforehand, the flu giving both the final nudge. Yet these two deaths, to be mourned as much as they are, are being announced as if the 2nd million had died. The 800-1000 deaths yearly due to normal flu are mentioned nowhere.
A German investigator has announced that the positive effects of Tamilflu (sold by the billion by now I think, it's inventor must be a happy man!) are as yet nowhere near scientifically proven. The one investigation finding positive results was done by Roche. The medicine is made by Roche, by the way. It's rather spooky side effects are to be found if you look very hard enough. The vaccine hasn't been proven at all, as it is still in developement phase. One may assume it's being used on people coming fall will be the test (Google DES, or Softenon, for simmilar hasty medications....)
Meanwhile, Dutch health people have toned down the prediction of "6-8 million people ill (on a total of 16 million), 10,000 deaths and severe disorganisation of society" predicted for this fall to "a  mild summer flu".
The main risk groups for getting the flu are either "the very old, and/or sick" or "the yough and/or healthy".
Perhaps we should call it the "Brouhaha" virus by now. I do not wish to seem nonchalant about this new virus, I have an education in microbiology, so I dare say I know a few things about virusses and their risks. But I do think things are hyped, and very much so. Not that Roche is complaining....

All best,
gep

[Bob]

I wonder how long it's going to stick around.  Popped up last spring?  Survives the summer and could return.... Why couldn't it survive for another year?

*Bobs decided to stay inside forever and stay out of contact with people and swine flu that way.*  Problem solved.