NEW AMERICAN RED CROSS POLL – WOMEN MORE CONCERNED ABOUT FLU THAN MEN

A new American Red Cross poll shows that while concerns about exposure to the H1N1 (swine flu) virus remain high, women are more likely than men to make extra efforts to cover coughs and sneezes with tissue, wash their hands more carefully and use hand sanitizer more often. I don’t know about you but I wasn’t too surprised about this study findings… :-)

The new Red Cross survey of 1,005 adults in the U.S., which was completed October 11th, found that 22 percent said they know someone who has had the H1N1 virus.

The survey found significant differences in how men and women have reacted to the H1N1 threat. Here is a sampling of the questions:

Made an extra effort to cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue: Women 83%; Men 67%
Made an extra effort to clean surfaces at home or at work with disinfectant: Women 72%; Men 53%
Started to use hand sanitizer more often: Women 66%; Men 50%
Made an extra effort to avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth: Women 64%; Men 47%

The survey also found that vaccination is on the minds of women. The survey found that more women (35%) have gotten their seasonal flu shots this year than men (26%). At the same time, women are more concerned than men about the safety of the H1N1 vaccine, with 60% of women expressing concern to 44% of men.

The survey found that in the past two months, in one in five households, someone has gone to work or school when they were sick. Each of us can make a big difference in our communities whether it be work, school or volunteer activities – if you are sick stay home. To help keep others from becoming sick, do your part by washing your hands, sneezing into your arm, using hand sanitizer and staying home when ill.

Additional survey findings:

78% started washing their hands more carefully and more often.
63% are making an extra effort to clean surfaces at home or work with disinfectant.
73% know the symptoms of the flu and what to watch for.

In addition to getting vaccinated against the flu, men, women and children can help reduce their exposure by practicing good hand-washing hygiene, using hand sanitizer and covering their cough. The Red Cross has several good teaching aids for the flu at their website. http://www.redcross.org/pandemicflu

http://www.redcross.org/portal/site/en/menuitem.94aae335470e233f6cf911df43181aa0/?vgnextoid=bddcb1df14574210VgnVCM10000089f0870aRCRD

VACCINE SHORTAGE BEING FELT NATIONWIDE – 198 FLU SCHOOL CLOSURES

Reading several national papers this morning, the flu story of the day was the shortage of vaccine. Although the crowds are big and the lines are long, everyone so far seems to be well behaved, even as the clinics run out of vaccine.

Scores Of People Seeking H1N1 Flu Vaccinations Were Turned Away From A Rockville Md Clinic Yesterday After The Facility Quickly Ran Through Its Supply Of Injectable Vaccine. By 10:15 A.m., 75 Minutes After The Piccard Drive Health Center Opened, Officials Announced That They Had Used Up Their 249 Doses Of Injectable Vaccine, And Disappointed Parents Began To Leave. Officials Had Plenty Of Nasal Mist Vaccine, But Pregnant Women, Children Younger Than 2 And People With Underlying Medical Conditions Cannot Use It. — Scores of people seeking H1N1 flu vaccinations were turned away from a Rockville MD clinic yesterday after the facility quickly ran through its supply of injectable vaccine. By 10:15 a.m., 75 minutes after the Piccard Drive Health Center opened, officials announced that they had used up their 249 doses of injectable vaccine, and disappointed parents began to leave. Officials had plenty of nasal mist vaccine, but pregnant women, children younger than 2 and people with underlying medical conditions cannot take it.

In Las Vegas, the County Health Department began rationing Flu Mist vaccine to caretakers and household contacts of children younger than six months old, children who are between the ages of 2 and 4, and health care workers and emergency medical staff with direct patient contact.

Nationwide, there were 198 flu-related school closures in 15 states, including Maryland, affecting 65,000 students, the Education Department said Wednesday. That’s up from 88 closures, affecting 28,000 students, a day earlier.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/21/AR2009102101440.html

http://www.examiner.com/x-25574-Clark-County-Environmental-Policy-Examiner~y2009m10d11-H1N1-flu-mist-rationed

NFL TEAMS SICK WITH THE FLU – NEW RULES FOR FOOTBALL SEASON

Even America’s favorite fall pastime is being affected by the flu. A dozen Cleveland Browns missed practice Wednesday with flulike symptoms, which is more than a quarter of the 45-player roster each team is allowed to use for games. It’s not yet known whether these players have the H1N1 virus, but the NFL is already prepared for how quickly that illness can spread. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said teams received a memo from commissioner Roger Goodell on Oct. 2 about the new policy, under which they can receive roster exemptions if enough players contract swine flu.

Other leagues, though, have not instituted similar provisions. The NBA, NHL and Major League Baseball said Wednesday they do not currently have policies to address the possibility of a team being hit hard by swine flu. If an NFL team has at least six players unable to play because of the illness, it can promote players from the practice squad to replace them. A club can receive a maximum of eight of these roster exemptions.

During the regular season, each NBA team is limited to a 15-man roster, which includes injured players. A club must have a minimum of eight active players for a game or forfeit. So it’s not unthinkable that a team could fall below eight healthy players if swine flu sweeps through the roster. NFL spokesman Randall Liu said the league tries to anticipate potential problems.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jMlmt7koECyu_DnvwdN2IAqf-L5wD9BFPISG0