EDITORIAL

By Byron Higgin
Mascot Publisher

The lady next to me at the Camden Conference Cross Country meet spoke freely.
“My daughter was supposed to run here today but she’s home sick with the flu,” she said.
I asked, “Not the H1N1 I hope,” I said. She shook her head, “yes”.
Sometimes we tend to stick our heads in the sand and pretend the things happening around us can’t affect us.
But the fact is, three more Minnesota residents have died from complications due to infection from H1N1 novel influenca virus.
The deaths occurred in Martin, Steel and Freeborn Counties — hardly far away from us.
“We are sad to report these deaths and we extend our sympathies to the families and loved ones,” said Dr. Sanne Magnan, Minnesota Commis-sioner of Health.
The facts themselves are startling.
There have been 611 hospitalized cases. Over 230 schools reported last week that either five percent of their students were absent in elementary school due to the flu-like illness.
Dr. Ruth Lynfield, state epidemiologist for the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) issued a most startling pronouncement.
“We continue to follow this pandemic closely and although we are seeing widespread infection due to H1N1 influenza, we are not seeing a change in the severity of the disease.”
You’ve heard it before, but if you haven’t taken necessary steps, now would be the time.
Best precautions include:
•Get vaccinated. (We know there’s not enough yet, but when it’s available, get it).
•Stay home from school or work and don’t spread your illness.
•Employers should encourage employees to stay home when sick.
•Cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze.
•Limit your contact with others.
•Clean your hands frequently. Use soap and water and wash after preparing food or touching yourself.
•Take enough fluids when sick.
•Contact your health care provider.
If your have more questions contact the Minnesota FluLine at 866-4655.
Many people have been doing so and calls to the FluLine have been “very heavy.” As of Friday there were 2,100 calls. “This is the first service of this kind in the country,” said Craig Acomb, assistant Comissioner of Health.”