Swine flu?

[angela.w.10]

The Swine flu pandemic has been a hot topic for months now. There is still so much unknown about the virus, and there are so many weaknesses in response to the outbreak that include the understanding of symptoms, vaccine shortages, and proper medical treatment. Has the risk of Swine Flu exposure been addressed by your department? What personal precautions do you take? Have you been vaccinated?

[pgg]

It hasn't been addressed here at all. I usually try to wash my hands as quick as I can after handling something or someone. I also have some hand sanitizer in my car. As for the vaccine. F that

[lewisipso]

Same as above. The only reason it has not been addressed here is that no one at our department has been adversely affected to any degree.
I wash my hand regularly, wear gloves when handling suspects unless there is no time to put them on prior to contact.
I agree that symptoms are still somewhat of a mystery. It makes me wonder if aggressive enough treatment is often delayed due to misdiagnosis. In light of the above I still have no plans to take the vaccine.

[Xiphos]

The city went wild here and spent money that wasn't in the budget to put big bottles of hand sanitizer in every room.

Of course, even the homeless shelter did that too. And now the residents are drinking it to get drunk. I've been contemplating doing that to help me through the shifts around here.

[jmur5074]

They bought us extra hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes to use in the cars.

[Second Chance]

Have ALWAYS had sanitizer in my unit, our department furnishes them and always has...........

[121Traffic]

Comms center has started to screen callers about anyone in the house with ILI (Influenza-like illness) symptoms, and air us Universal Precautions alerts when anyone is suffering from ILI symptoms in a house we're responding to.

The PD already did a good job with sanitizer and wipes everywhere. They've just ramped it up a little, plus they've bought boxes of N95 particulate respirators that are supposedly able to provide respiratory protection from H1N1. We did a roll call briefing on their use. I carry a couple on me now. As soon as someone coughs near me in a dirtbag house, I put the mask on. I don't care how mad or offended they get.

[mack]

Comms center has started to screen callers about anyone in the house with ILI (Influenza-like illness) symptoms, and air us Universal Precautions alerts when anyone is suffering from ILI symptoms in a house we're responding to.

The PD already did a good job with sanitizer and wipes everywhere. They've just ramped it up a little, plus they've bought boxes of N95 particulate respirators that are supposedly able to provide respiratory protection from H1N1. We did a roll call briefing on their use. I carry a couple on me now. As soon as someone coughs near me in a dirtbag house, I put the mask on. I don't care how mad or offended they get.

Whot your Comm Center does is an excellent response to the current situation with H1N1. I wouldn't worry about anyone taking offense either when you put on a mask, it's your health and your families health that is more important than some dirtbag getting upset.

[Cidp24]

You can't swing a dead cat without hitting a hand sanitizer dispensing station in our building now. I'm talking the kind that are free-standing and battery powered.

I put surface sanitizer in easy reach in the areas that I supervise and asked that the people in those areas use it after each shift on phones, keyboards, etc.

We also had to come up with a contingency plan for each division in the event of an outbreak.

[krauty]

The department gave each officer several 3m masks. We also received the vaccination.

[angela.w.10]

Thats great that your departments are being so proactive, I have been watching the news lately and there have been tons of stories about inadequacies with the protocols and equipment used to protect police officers, corrections officers, etc. from getting the swine flu while on the job.

[Xiphos]

I sent an email up my chain of command describing what 121Traffic's department does. I was told we don't have enough H1N1 outbreaks in the area to justify that. So I guess we're waiting for half the department to be out sick first. Shut the barn doors after the horses have escaped. Typical.

[MacLean]

Reports today indicate the virus has peaked.

I maintain the panic was overdone.

[mtaylor]

I think the media has blown the swine flu out of proportion, 30,000 americans die from the flu each year. As far as treatment is concerned your best bet is lots of fluid and vitamin C. The flu is a Virus so it cant be killed by antibiotics, the only thing a doctor can give you is tamiflu. This doesnt kill the virus, what it does is block the enzyme influenza uses to get out of the host cell. Your immune system has to eventually destroy the infected cell but it keeps the virus from spreading any furthur. As far as symptoms they are going to be the same as the regular flu with exception that they will be more severe because our bodies arent use to this strain of the virus.

[ms1600]

I already had the swine flu this summer- so I'm good to go. I'll get the normal flu shot though (like I do every year).

[pgg]

A couple of the guys here got sick. The LT called them pansies and told them to come in anyways

[Jenna]

A couple of the guys here got sick. The LT called them pansies and told them to come in anyways

[pgg]

What he said is, unless you are incompacitated in bed you WILL work. Something about paying pgg to much overtime to cover the shifts

[angela.w.10]

I also read that the Swine Flu was reaching its peak. I think all the media surrounding H1N1 has overshadowed other winter illnesses. I've had strep twice already.

[bayern]

Well, our dept supplies hand sanitizer, and we are to tell thre amin oif we get the H1NI so as to report it to the state. Now, I called our State Healthy Dept about the shot bercause of my age and have type 2 diabeties. Well, I guessw I was talking to the Death Board as I was told I am to old and they don't know when they can treat me. How about some one reporting me as a terrorist. I would get sent to Gitmo before it's closed and get the shot.