Shutdown makes bad flu season worse

[struggle4progress]

JAN 21, 2018 @ 02:15 PM
Bruce Japsen

Surveillance of one of the worst seasonal influenza outbreaks in several years could be slowed by the U.S. government shutdown, a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services contingency plan shows.

The Centers for Disease Control's response to an outbreak already deemed one of the worst in years could face bureaucratic and administrative hurdles with thousands of furloughed workers including those at the CDC. Already, 30 children have died and the CDC last week said this year’s flu season is at an “epidemic” threshold.

“CDC will continue minimal support to protect the health and well-being of US citizens here and abroad through a significantly reduced capacity to respond to outbreak investigations, processing of laboratory samples, and maintaining the agency’s 24/7 emergency operations center,” HHS said in its fiscal 2018 ‘’Contingency Staffing Plan for Operations in the Absence of Enacted Annual Appropriations.

Though individual states will continue to track flu some CDC professionals won’t be available.“They won’t be able to call CDC to verify samples or seek their expertise,” Dr. Thomas Frieden, CDC director during the 2013 government shutdown told Kaiser Health News ...

https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucejapsen/2018/01/21/how-the-government-shutdown-makes-a-bad-flu-season-worse/#198830e36724

[Zoonart]

1. Careful with this flu strain.

I am just beginning to feel better after three weeks. This flu kicked my ass and I really thought that I would end up in the hospital with pneumonia, then suddenly turned the corner. I was lucky. Stay safe.

[Control-Z]

2. Where do you live?

Do you know where the breakouts are the worst?

I'm glad you're finally getting well! Now, stay well.

[Zoonart]

3. Thanks for the vibes, CZ

I love in the Hudson Valley of NYS. Seems like everyone I know has had some form of this, either flu or sinus infection, or bronchitis. My hubby was lucky and got away with a mere chest cold. We are both in our sixties...vegetarian for forty years and work out. We are usually very healthy and I can't t remember the last time I even had a cold, but have been through several funerals and..if course the holidays with lots of hugging etc...so more exposure than usual.

[Control-Z]

5. Oh, wow.

Several funerals? I'm sorry for so much loss in your life, Zoonart. That itself would deplete me of my reserves. I hope this new year brings much better times for you.

[Zoonart]

6. Thanks again, CZ.

Since August... my mother, my husband's mother, both of my sister-In-law's parents, and a close friend. 2017 was BRUTAL in every respect.
Hope 2018 is better for all of our sakes. Namaste.,

[eppur_se_muova]

4. Hey, it's not like the flu ever killed anybody.

Oh, wait ...