October 09, 2005

Flu Update

A while back I started looking over this flu thing. So when I saw this crap on the Times well. I’ve been saving up some more links and stuff. Just trying to keep up you know.

Ajc:Tom Skinner, spokesman for CDC Director Dr. Julie Gerberding, could not respond when asked about the manual on handling "sensitive but unclassified" information, which was released July 22, because he had not seen it. He asked a reporter to e-mail a copy to him.National security concerns Upon further questioning, CDC spokesman Von Roebuck cited national security concerns. He said the agency has programs that require protection from disclosure, such as the locations and work of laboratories with such biological agents as smallpox or anthrax.

Ok another Reason to make sure we get and keep some good American companies to research and improve vaccine production methods. And uh fire Skinner.

CNN: Experts in Hong Kong said on Friday that the human H5N1 strain which surfaced in northern Vietnam this year had proved to be resistant to Tamiflu, a powerful antiviral drug which goes by the generic name, oseltamivir

Also Time magazine:

So far fancy anti virus medications don’t’ cut it. Way more profitable and easier to make but not a replacement for vaccines. And all this screaming about them is just noise that serves drug companies and moon bat politics. Are these drugs useful as stop gap measure? Sure but that is about it.

H1N1 similar virus from 1918.

BBC:US scientists have found the 1918 virus shares genetic mutations with the bird flu virus now circulating in Asia.

CNN: Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt: “:A bigger gap is how to create quickly a vaccine to match whatever pandemic flu strain erupts, Leavitt said. That currently takes months. The new plan will focus on rejuvenating vaccine production to speed the process, he said.�

You bet the government working with private industry and I mean US private industry for vaccine production capacity and breakthroughs is the way. Will we get it in time I’m not sure. All I know is that if we work at it we will be able to create an economically sustainable and awesome solution so the next 100 years won't be a repeat of last 100. I'm not sure how long it may take but it's very possible. I repeat my challenge, the US has the most innovative industry in the world it’s up to them. The market is there if you can only figure out how to produce vaccine quickly and cheaply. American business always brags about better, cheaper faster just in time. Ok, I may not be from Missouri but I’m close enough, SHOW ME.

The Times is way behind the curve on this and the left is trying to again wait and attack, possibly spread some panic rather that work for solutions. I don't vote for whiners. Government can only help move us along it can't solve it. Sure it can make plans and do what it can to protect public health but only science can put it to rest. Only science and industry can bring about the day when flu is no big deal. It appears to me that conservatives are working for the best solutions. If you want more commentary on this load crap just hit the lefty politics whiney ass no solutions blogs.

Updated : Yahoo news:

Many governments around the world are stockpiling antiviral drugs and some companies are trying to speed up vaccine production but these measure give a false sense of security and will do little to counter a flu pandemic, an expert cautioned on Monday

Hat Tip: Carlos

So why does Howie care you may ask? Well I used to love pancakes as a boy. I got had a bad case of the flu in 68-69 as just a lad. Grandma made me some pancakes to get me to eat, as I was very ill. I woke to the smell of them and ate em up. Still can’t eat em to this day. So that is a kind of funny thing but the truth is, at the time it was not funny at all, quite serious. So what I’m trying to do here is not take a political line. The left is using this as a talking point. I’m trying to give you some info so you know not to panic not get caught up in hype. Politics of division cannot help. Good old fashion American hard work can