texchan | Bit of a Blur ...

Today passed quickly and was a bit of a blur.

Dropped the kiddo off at school, then rushed home to change out my bag (because it was raining & I didn't want to ruin my new, little black one), then off for a Target run. I really didn't want to go to Target, but my mom decided the kiddo needed new undergarments. So, yeah ... off I went. In the rain. Got home with a couple of hours to spare before my volunteer duty at the kiddo's school. Had lunch, got nattered at over various things (most of which I honestly don't remember), then left a bit early for my school duty. I needed to swing by the post office to mail something, so I did that. Then, I headed to school, arriving a bit early. I spent the rest of the afternoon at school. I decided, after class was over, to clean off all the tables in my kiddo's classroom with Clorox wipes. It's probably silly of me, but it just made me feel better in light of all the swine flu stuff right now. I doubt it'll really do any good, in the end, but still -- it made me happy. That has to count for something. Anyhow, clean up took longer than usual because of that. I made my way home, hoping to write -- only to have that not work out. Which is frustrating. But oh well. Story of my life lately.

Speaking of swine flu ...

I'm trying really hard not to be paranoid and nervous about it. But it's almost freaking impossible with all the media hype, coverage, and saturation. I do my best to avoid the news, but every time I log into the computer ... every time I turn on the television ... there it is. It doesn't help any that my dad stays glued to CNN almost 24/7, so he also provides a running report of the latest developments. Sometimes the news is just too much. I mean, isn't there a balance between being informed and being informed to the point of totally freaking out? *sigh*

Tonight, I feel like crap. Achy, chills, and a slight fever (99). Immediately, I think: "zOMG! I've got the swine flu!!!" *prepares for inevitable, lingering death* When, any other time, I would think: "Man, my allergies suck." Because, yes ... there is pollen EVERYWHERE! My normally black car was totally green with it until this morning, when it rained and washed it all off. Of course, the rain doesn't help any. April showers bring May pollen ... and sinus headaches. Joy. -.-"

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I was in Japan when SARS broke out, and a lot of people at my school traveled to China... I came down with a cold and was like ZOMG too, ended up going to the school health center where the nurses laughed at me for being paranoid.

I'm trying not to worry about the swine flu yet. My sister lives in NYC where it seems to be spreading, which makes me a little nervous.

I think they'll get it under control though. I don't approve of people freaking out like Egypt ordering mass pig slaughters, etc.

I don't approve of people freaking out like Egypt ordering mass pig slaughters, etc.

Totally agree! It makes me sick to think what a total waste of life that was. Not to mention the poor farmers whose whole way of life has now been wiped out.

I'm doing the same -- trying to ignore all the media hype so that I don't freak out over it. Because I agree: I think they'll get it under control.

I hope your sister is OK! *hugs* (And you and GL, too -- because I heard earlier there might be some cases in MD now ... ??)

Yeah, Suspected cases have broken out at Folger McKinsey Elementary School in Severna Park (Folger McKinsey is actually a relative of mine, ironically.) I'm pretty sure it's going to spread all over the country before we manage to reign it in.

Also, the regular flu actually kills thousands of people every year. The proportion of deaths verses cases of swine flu doesn't seem overly high yet. I don't think this is necessarily more dangerous than the flu we're used to, people are just freaking out because it's unfamilar and spreading so rapidly (and we're more aware of it because of the media coverage.) I think people should focus more of their energy on minimizing their risk rather than worrying about it.

It is amazing how much calmer I've become since not reading the newspaper or listening to the radio or watching TV. As much as it makes me a bad citizen, I find myself much happier without knowing what is going on the world. I didn't even know there was a swine flu outbreak in Mexico until my mother mentioned it the other day.

While not something I would recommend for everyone, I find that today's media just angers me with their obsessive coverage of certain events, so I have opted to totally ignore most newscasts.

I had same but my Dad was the one that told me calling me from Germany yesterday. My Mom called me today and is all freaked out. I always avoid the news due to reasons of husband being in Military plus the US news doesn't give you all the facts IMO. I grew up with news that covered everything and honestly I like it better then not knowing all the facts, that's one reason why I don't watch news over here is due to that they dont' give you all the facts and with military I get facts thanks to my husband so I avoid the news here as much as possible.

I totally agree. The media goes way overboard on EVERYTHING. It's sensationalist and ridiculous. I do my best to avoid most of it, too. I also feel like a bad citizen, but it helps me keep my sanity intact.

Sounds crazy what happened today to you.

I have to admit that I'm really worried about the Swine flu due to that I seem to be the first one sick around here when something comes up and my body gets 10 times worse then anybody else around me when having a regular flu where I can't even move out of bed for days and then it takes me two to four weeks to recover from a flu. Which is the main factor I'm paranoid and worried, because I wouldn't make it. I'm allergic to PCN and all kinds of antibiotics. :( Doctors can't give me just anything and have to watch everything with certain ingredients or I get allergic reactions inlcluding some that can kill me. *sigh*

About the news, I grew up with news that gave you all kinds of information about something and didnt' hold back a bit. Over here in the US I never gotten all the facts which is the main reason I don't watch news that much. I'm a person who wants every single fact and not just part and keep me wondering, tell me where and when, how and so on. It keeps me sane, but when my husband was deployed several times I never gotten all the facts from news and there was a time I didn't hear anything from husband NOR the news and it gotten me really frustrated and sick worried. That's when I decided to avoid the news and only watch them once in while just to keep up sometimes. Otherwise all the news I get is from my husband himself (military wise) and my parents (world wise and US wise) since they get more info then us over here. I prefer to KNOW and want the knowledge which when I am kept up I am calm, this swine flu isn't covered enough IMO and I would like to know more and exactly and if it's where I live or not.

This news part was one part my mother-in-law and me had a hot topic on when she was still alive. So I'm sorry if I come off mean, wrong, bitchy and such, it's just I'm not a person you just tell part and keep rest of the info. I want to know everything there is to know about it and otherwise I go insane.

sorry for the rant, it's just how I feel about it. :(

I hope you calm down and don't get so paranoid about the swine flu, but I'm of no help right now since this not knowing all is driving me paranoid >_

Well, I don't think our media bothers to give all the facts. If they did that, they would have to be objective and not showcase one side of an issue over another. Unfortunately, it seems they've gotten to where they prefer to support their own pet side of an issue instead of taking their responsibility to the public seriously -- which is to stay objective and give all the facts.

Anyhow ... don't get me started. I'll just end up ranting along with you! LOLz

I'm definitely trying not to freak out over the whole flu thing. I hate not really knowing stuff. I hope you are able to keep from freaking out, too! *hugs*

Hi, I don't know if it is appropriate to post this or not, but if anyone does experience flu-like symptoms, there is a product made by "Nature's Way" called Sambucol that is supposed to work wonders for the flu. It is made with elderberry extract and is said to make the duration of the flu shorter (3 days instead of 7--or whatever) and the bout not as strong. I have tried it for illnesses (colds and general bugs that may or may not be the flu because I didn't go to the doctor to get it checked out because I really really hate going to the doctor...a lot), and it actually did relieve my symptoms.

Sorry--that sounded an awful lot like a commercial! (nervous laugh)

Anyway, I hope that your allergies aren't too bad.

Take care ^_^

Sorry, I didn't log in: that Anonymous one about the Sambucol was from me!

LOL! I'm glad you told me it was you. Otherwise, I would have wondered. I actually got a spam comment -- I think it was for some health-type thing or something -- a couple days ago. I knew it was spam because it was on a really OLD entry. One of the last ones that was public before I took my LJ "friends only" for a long time. If I had seen yours and not known it was you, I would have been like: Why me? *laughs*

That's good advice about the Sambucol. I may have to look into that if I get hit with flu-like symptoms. Right now, though, I'm pretty sure it's just allergies. Everything is blooming, and we have had a bit of rain, which means the pollen is NUTS! My car is black, but I had to park it outside overnight; I went out the next morning, and it was GREEN from all the pollen on it! Scary!

Bit of a Blur ...

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