Pandemic Clearly In Our Hands

Headline Timeline

Monday:  “Report: Swine flu could cause up to 90,000 U.S. deaths“

Wednesday: “Protecting your family from swine flu“

Connect The Dots (using original sources referenced in these news items)

• Influenza A viruses, of which swine flu is one, are fragile viruses that can be easily destroyed through proper hygiene, including use of soap and water and alcohol-based hand sanitizers  –  American Society for Microbiology

• While the precise impact of the fall resurgence of 2009-H1N1 influenza is impossible to predict, a plausible scenario is that the epidemic could:  – produce infection of 30–50% of the U.S. population this fall and winter  –  page 8 in the PCAST Report To The President On U.S. Preparations For 2009 H1N1 Influenza

• 55% of the group admitted on occasion they’ve simply rinsed, without using soap (July 2009)  *  Only 77% actually wash their hands after using a public restroom (2007)  –  Healthy Hand Washing Survey 2009

And in spite of the evidence and educational material that has been put out there

• Fully 54% of the [group] “wash their hands no more or less frequently” in a public restroom as a result of the H1N1 virus.  –  Healthy Hand Washing Survey 2009

The answers are there folks.  The 30-50% infection rate is correlates too closely to the poor hand washing practices of 55-77% of the people.

A simple, convenient and conscious change in our behavior will change the course of a nation.

Avoiding a pandemic is clearly in our hands.



Side Notes:

What chance does the pork industry have to recover when the media refuses to use H1N1?

Given this data know why restaurants post those “Employees must wash hands before returning to work” signs in the washrooms.