Nasty Flu Bug all over town!!!

[flashpoint]

Our schools are closed tomorrow. We had over 1/2 of the students in the school district out today...the local doctors called the school administrator yesterday and asked them to close schools for the rest of the week. They refused to do so today, but even more schools called in, so now they don't have a lot of choice. Our hospital and nursing homes are both on "lockdown"...no visitors (unless the patients are nest death and ONE parent can stay with a child), no unnecessary personnel (students, orientees, minimal housekeeping, dietary, and office staff). The grocery stores are putting bottles of alcohol bases hand wash, Kleenex and trash bags all over...post office is HANDING postal patrons their mail instead of having them go to their PO boxes (after asking them to use the handwash)...cops and fire/rescue are wearing masks on EVERY contact with the community...the three doctor's clinics in town are requiring masks for all patients, hospital ER is requiring masks for all patients who are able to tolerate them...doctor's offices all put out public notices with their recommendations for flu care...sigh...anyone want to work for me tonight? LOL...still love my job. :-)

[MikeLPN]

I got the flu shot and then I got the flu probably while shopping with my wife at the mall. It was so bad I called in sick at work (which never happens) AND at school (which also never happens). My hair even hurt! Ugly nasty bug:sniff: . 10 days later (which included 8 eves in a row plus class and 2 AM tests with yesterday off except for AM class) I'm pulling out of it pretty good just a little spacey with a cough. Took tylenol ES , tons of ibuprofen, Advil cold and sinus, multivit., diabetic cough syrup, fluids, eat when I could and my wife felt sorry for me. Critical thinking pretty much in the toilet but I got the job done.

[FranEMTnurse, CNA, LPN, EMT-I]

Hi Stressed Nurse,

I truly wish I only had asthma, but unfortunately, I have Chronic asthmatic bronchitis, and it was discovered just last year, while it was already in the beginning of stage 3.

The flu shot is the least of my concerns right now. And no, I'm not allergic to eggs. You see, I get pneumonia. I had it three times last year, once it was accompanied by septicemia, and I had to be on the ventilator twice due to respiratory failure.

I used to get the flu shot every year before this thing appeared, and was always grateful for being able to get it. I was also vaccinated with the pneumonia vaccine last year.

But in spite of all of this, I am not the least bit worried, because God is holding me in His loving arms where I feel safe and oh so very loved.

And in spite of what I have, I'm as happy as though I was in my right mind, and contribute to others needs through an online ministry, and by other means.

And yes, I am very happy to be my brother's keeper.

Go now in peace my friend, and I hope you have a very good day.

Fran:nurse:

[Kir]

Influenza HELLABAD here in Eastern Colorado as well!!! School had more than 58% of kids out Wed. We have run out of liquid amantadine three days in a row. We have had to send folks 2 hours to Denver for a Rx. We have had to transfer 8 infants to The Children's Hospital since Wed noc.

Kir