H1N1: When butting in line could be a matter of life or death

1. Posted by Tim L on Thu, Nov 05, 2009

This is what people are like today. Virtually no one of any age has any respect for other people. Stand in line for a bus? NOT ME! Wait your turn to be served an ice cream? NOT ME! I am important - you are NOT! We see it on our roads - we see it in stores - we see it everywhere. I was riding a Montreal city bus - there was the driver - two young (I would guess about 14-15) teenagers and me. One of the teenagers was smoking - obviously NOT allowed on a bus. I politely told him to put it out. His friend asked me if I was threatening the smoker. I said yes I was - and if he wanted his butt spanked just keep coming.

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2. Posted by Noonsa on Fri, Nov 06, 2009

This article is ridiculous fear mongering!!! Shame on Ann Douglass! I'm disgusted.

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3. Posted by siulunglee on Fri, Nov 06, 2009

The offical in the flu shot clinics should screen those so-called priority people with proof. I don't believe they said they can't refuse those who is not in priority group. I heard that in the news that one parent get little children to get the shots, but she got the shot too. That also make the line up longer. If we have straight rules and no execution, then it's better not say the right of priority group are there. I believe it didn't turn away some good people's mind not to line up in the flu shot clinic. But the reporter in the news did get some of the people on the line with some people who is not in the prority group. This is one weak spot of our country because we trust our honor system too much. I understand it takes time to take courage, even time and money to legistrate and execute laws for our government. But that's what we as a Canadian should fight for (fight for righteousness and fairness). Outside of this topic, the federal and Ontario government have under-estimated the fear that's create from this flu. (It's seems that Ontario government forgot the effect of SARS already). If they don't enough people and money to open more flu-shot clinics, should let the family doctor to handle some of job sooner.

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4. Posted by Drakulaz on Fri, Nov 06, 2009

There not waiting in line?Lovely :D http://www.theflucase.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1625:evidence-of-holding-back-vaccine-to-create-panic&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=64&lang=en

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5. Posted by The City on Sat, Nov 07, 2009

All I can say is that I know people who will die if they catch this virus and perfectly healthy hockey players got to line jump, along with their families because they had the money to pay for it. I have just written the minister of health as I am a person who was in the high risk list and I learned this morning that the criteria will be changing once there is more vaccine. Some people could be dead by then because of the selfish world we live in.

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6. Posted by Blank on Mon, Nov 09, 2009

I am one of the people who got the H1N1 shot from a clinic and feel guilty about it even though I am in the "at risk" category. I have a depleted immune system, but still feel badly that I did get the shot before the general population. This whole process is a complete fiasco. There should be no preferential treatment and everyone should get the shot, period. It was my husband that made the appointment for me as he knew I wouldn't. I know I am at risk, but I hate the fact that this shot isn't available to everyone at the same time. If all our doctors were able to get the medication, then there wouldn't be the line-ups and people jumping lines when they aren't at risk...everyone would have the option of getting it if they want it. How completely unprepared our government was for this situation especially when they knew it was coming. I know that the situation isn't any better in the U.S. but that doesn't mean that there wasn't prior knowledge that this was going to happen. I think our country has got to get their priorities straight. Health first! No matter what, we are nothing unless we have our health and that goes for all medication in this country. Social medicine is great as long as all people have the opportunity to get the medication they require for their particular illness. Some medications are so expensive that people who don't have additional health coverage wouldn't be able to afford them. The medication I take that depletes my immune system, cost $25,000. a year. I will be blowing through all the money in my health insurance within the next 3 years. After that, I'm in trouble unless Trillium is willing to kick in. So much for social medicine. So, in closing, social medicine is great when it works but when it doesn't, we are no better off than any 3rd world country. Everyone should have access to shots or medication no matter who they are. That is social medicine and anything in between isn't social medicine, it's for the elite.

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7. Posted by ...MoreIQthanU on Mon, Nov 09, 2009

If this is a pandemic, then why are all the people from poor countries with no vaccine not dropping like flys?

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8. Posted by esgibson on Mon, Nov 09, 2009

This is the whole problem with our society these days... No one thinks of other people anymore as long as they take care of themselves. I saw it while I was inline with my son (we both qualify), but generally I see it everyday people have no scruples about running down elderly or pregnant women just to be one step ahead. Its a shame this is how we are teaching our children to live.

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9. Posted by ♥Peggy-Sue♥ on Mon, Nov 09, 2009

And what? This comes as a surprise? Pfft.....

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10. Posted by ♥Peggy-Sue♥ on Mon, Nov 09, 2009

And what? This comes as a surprise? Pfft.....

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11. Posted by Apple Kaur on Mon, Nov 09, 2009

Why dont they just vaccinate kids in school?????

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12. Posted by pmms on Mon, Nov 09, 2009

There are way too many errors, misunderstandings, misinformation and irresponsibility with the way everyone is handling this supposed "flu crisis". Everyday there are new "rules" for who can have the shot or those who cannot, unless you got the MONEY OF COURSE! Personally, I am not getting the vaccine - I think it's a loaded timebomb that hasn't been tested properly if at all and the company manufacturing this toxic milkshake stands to make 5 billion plus - that's a good reason to push fear and panic and hysteria. AND, for those who are diagnosed with H1N1 and sent home why are they not being tracked and QUARANTINED??? Does it make sense to put people back into the community with this "deadly pandemic" and you know all of these people are not staying at home and keeping away from others so I find it strange that people have not been ordered into quarantine along with their entire family but then that would cause an economic crisis and we can't have that now can we. And then look in Burlington, 11 kids were given overdoses of this vaccine by a nurse who obviously wasn't trained properly and she is still injecting people, unbelieveable that something like this has happened too. Again too many errors, too much misinformation and even the medical profession aren't getting it right either. Although I am not going for the vaccine, I find it absolutely disgusting and disgraceful what these so called athletes have done and the so called rich who have bought their way to the front of the line, God will get you for that and Karma is a [profane]! What goes around may come around, for instance selfishly pushing your way to the front of the line may push you to the front of the line for the unknown side-effects to come yet.

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13. Posted by corintianga on Mon, Nov 09, 2009

And this is surprising why? I assume we all know that money gives you access to privileges others do not have. Anyone who thinks we live in a fair and selfless society is a bit on the naive side.

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14. Posted by painter1938 on Mon, Nov 09, 2009

I'm completely disgusted with the way the health system is handling the distrubution of the h1n1 vaccine.Im over 65, but have multiple health problems,includingt asthma and emphysema and will leaving the country shortly but because Im not considered high risk I cannot get the vaccine until God knows when.Everyday in various parts of the lower mainland they are dispensing it to people who are not in the high risk category no questions asked and on vancouver island ame thing.This is what I dont understand..I desperately want it and cant get it and several of my friends who are perfectly healthy and over 65yrs are being offered thevaccine by their doctors and 3 of them dont want it..Go figure out our wonderful medical system.!!!They tell me Im the least likely to get this flu but on the other hand if i do get it with my severe lung problems Im probably in big trouble.so there u have folks..

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15. Posted by allycat6040 on Mon, Nov 09, 2009

People are panicing over nothing it's not as bad as they let on.In a month from now people will know the whole story.It's not time to panic.

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16. Posted by allycat6040 on Mon, Nov 09, 2009

People are panicing over nothing it's not as bad as they let on.In a month from now people will know the whole story.It's not time to panic.

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17. Posted by shellynn72 on Mon, Nov 09, 2009

I took my 4-yr-old daughter to an H1N1 clinic on Saturday. They offered me the vaccination while I was there and I declined as I am not in one of the high-risk groups. There was plenty of security on hand and I think the healthcare workers should be asking more questions related to screening. Although my daughter is small and obviously looks 4, I was not asked to provide proof of her age.

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18. Posted by KittenKatinCanada... on Mon, Nov 09, 2009

The Ontario government has alot of explaining to do and needs to shoulder the blame for this mess. They urged everyone to get vaccinated and said enough vaccine would be available to "all Ontarians" in November . Now they are setting conditions on who is eligible and who isn't, and haven't offered any indication when those not in the 'high priority group' will have access to the vaccine. People would be more willing to wait their turn if they could be assured that the vaccine will be available to them and when. My Mother is 80 years-old and has COPD. According to the vaccination protocols, she is not a high risk patient, and so we wait for her turn. Unfortunately, we don't know when that will be and the virus is everywhere in our community. I do know, however, that if she contracts the virus her health will be seriously compromised. I am a healthy 50 year-old, but if I had a place in that vaccination line (I don't and don't expect to), I would gladly give it up to be sure my Mother could be protected.

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19. Posted by Real Woman on Mon, Nov 09, 2009

Seems that every week new people are on the priority list. If people with health problems or the elderly are most at risk why are they telling us that it's mostly kids and healthy adults who are most at risk for dying? Then they say it's more women 30-49 who end up in the hospital and more obese people. Should then be put on the at risk list too? And how will they know when everyone who is at risk has received their vaccine so they can offer the vaccine to the rest of the people, who by the way they are urging get their vaccine. It's all so frustrating. If the media or gov't hadn't made such a big deal of the whole thing people would not be in such an uproar over this whole thing.

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20. Posted by Kat on Mon, Nov 09, 2009

response to MoreIQthanU regarding H1N1 in poor countries: friends of ours in Thailand have seen whole communities bedridden due to H1N1 - people ARE dropping like flies in other countries. Our N. American media would rather report on topics that we care more about... like ourselves (sadly). I do agree that the vaccine distribution has been badly mismanaged - especially here in Alberta. It was a "free for all" (literally) from the first day - high risk or not (they didn't even ask when we went - I'm high risk and in a high exposure job, for the sake of my baby I got the vaccine). Then, they ran out of vaccine. So many high risk folks can't get it now. The vaccine should have been distributed to primary health providers (existing clinics) to distribute, so that those that need it most could get it. I know two people hospitalized due to H1N1 complications - both high risk and high exposure... neither of them were able to get the vaccine (I guess now they don't need to get it). Ironic.

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21. Posted by skippyjon on Mon, Nov 09, 2009

Who cares? There is no 'pandemic' people. So far, this so called deadly flu has killed far less people in the same time frame, than the regular seasonal flu..children included. Just because the media tells of two child deaths related to H1N1 in Canada everyone starts freaking out. Ask the media to report on the many more child deaths due to plain old regular seasonal influenza and compare. WHO has stopped asking for tabulated data because it isn't the big deal it was made out to be. The only one gaining here are the pharmaceutical companies. Later, it will be the specialists as we treat our children for immune mediated illnesses caused by the untested, rapidly mixed up cauldron of H1N1 vaccine.

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22. Posted by skippyjon on Mon, Nov 09, 2009

Kat, give us links to the 'dropping like flies' data. The World Health Organization says nothing like this. Many countries including AU and NZ are downgrading this flu. We get satellite news from Europe and Asia. There is nothing close to what you are describing. Stop fueling the alarmist fire with a bunch of baloney.

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23. Posted by Tammy P on Mon, Nov 09, 2009

My whole family got vaccinated. No questions asked. We have some underlying conditions. I will do anything to protect my children. Even line jump. My friend called me to say there was no one even at the clinic when she was there. No huge line ups here.

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24. Posted by Tammy P on Mon, Nov 09, 2009

My whole family got vaccinated. No questions asked. We have some underlying conditions. I will do anything to protect my children. Even line jump. My friend called me to say there was no one even at the clinic when she was there. No huge line ups here.

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25. Posted by Oceyana on Mon, Nov 09, 2009

"Blank" (#6) You mentioned that all our doctors were able to get this vaccine, then there wouldn't be an issue in preferential treatment or line jumping. Fact of the matter is that in Toronto alone, over 4000 doctors were offered this vaccine to administer in their practices, and only approx 400 of those doctors actually agreed to accept the vaccine. While I do agree that the Ministry of Health bears a great deal of responsibility in how this is all being handled with the shortages, the ridiculously long lines in most major cities, and now the notion of line jumping.....but we also have to realize that they do not bear complete responsibility. Many doctors have been given access and chosen NOT to go that route. This is simply fueling the chaos that these flu shot clinics are seeing. I don't believe that the family doctors should have been given the choice about whether to accept these vaccines or not. My family doctor has them, and I was able to get both of my children vaccinated...FOLLOWING the proper high risk screening protocol. With that, I did NOT receive the vaccine at the same time as my children. I, like many others, are waiting until it is available to the general public. To those that are exhibiting selfish greed by taking a dose that a high risk patient needs...SHAME ON YOU!

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26. Posted by anndouglas on Sat, Nov 14, 2009

Lots of interesting comments in this discussion. I think the fact that the messages being communicated by the federal government have changed repeatedly during the vaccine roll-out (as documented very well in a CBC news story last night) has made it much more difficult for people to feel confident about the information that they are receiving. It's no wonder people are feeling frustrated.

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