HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 2009-06-24, Page 6Page 6 - Goderich Signal -Star, Wednesday, June 24, 2009
F4ditorial
www.goderichsignalstar.com
Proprietor and published by Bowes Publishers, PO. Bo.t 220, 120 Huc•kins Street. Goderich. Ontario N7A 4B6
EDITORIAL
Virus and its symptoms
must be taken seriously
A few milestones of dubious distinction were reached in the H 1 N 1 flu
virus story this past week, a story that had seemed to fade away from public
scrutiny.
But the virus is showing no signs of going away and the first confirmed
case was reported in Huron County late last week as the vines continues to
spread in the region: The Huron County Health Unit confirmed that an adult
was hospitalized but was recovering at home.
And after months of tracking and anticipation, the World Health
Organization officially declared a pandemic on June 11.
It represented a serious and landmark decision on the part of the WHO,
which had warned that the virus was spreading quickly' in over 70 countries
around the world. Many people are still wondering what all the fuss is about,
considering the virus, contracted in its mildest form, rarely requires hospital-
ization or time off at home. But that doesn't mean that the danger isn't real
and palpable.
There was a general feeling that the swine flu epidemic, given that the
symptoms presented themselves as nothing out of the ordinary, was a panic -
induced health scare.
But this seemingly ordinary flu, which has infected over 2,500 people in
Ontario, an increase of over 10 per cent in the week, has also claimed many
lives, including three in this province. The average age of people contracting
the fluis2l.
It is easy to dismiss the pandemic proclamation as fear mongering but it
the flu may have real and damaging consequences for Canadians.
This country has an enviable record of vaccination for its young people,
but each year up to 8,000 Canadians die of seasonal flu and these are mostly
elderly people with other health problems. So ordinary flu symptoms exacts
a toll on Canadians each year as people lose loved ones to the ordinary symp-
toms of the flu virus in a country with a outstanding record of health care.
So the symptoms may ,appear to be mild in nature and comparable to that
of a regular seasonal flu. Mild means feeling generally unwell with a fever,
sore throat; cough and muscle aches for up to five days. Those symptoms
may keep people home for an additional five days before resuming normal
activity.
While this flu virus presents itself in ordinary fashion, it does seem to be a
typical virus. Those over the age of 50 seem to have some immunity in place
while many younger people are falling victim to the virus and its symp-
toms.
One in five people exposed to the flu are exhibiting symptoms. Exposure
can be as be as innocent as touching a surface where there are viruses from
others and sooner or later, everyone will be exposed to the virus through
contact with other people.
The flu virus and the pandemic declaration is not to be taken lightly or
simply dismissed given that only one case has been reported in Huron
County. Given the attack rate of 20 per cent, more people in our arca will
become sick and many young people will develop symptoms.
Take the necessary precautions and people should be especially diligent
about washing their hands and coughing or sneezing into a sleeve. Everyone
should think about the seriousness of this flu and be vigilant. D.S.
....«..
The Goderich Signal -Star
published every Wednesday at Goderich, (maria is one of The
Slgtwl-Sire Publishing croup of Community Newspapers, a division
of Bowes Publishers. The Goderich Signal Star shall not be Mable for
failure to publish an ad for typographkal errors in publication
except to the extent of the cost of that portion of the ad in which the
error occurred. The Goderich Signal -Star reserves the right to refect
or edit any advertisement, •
The Gnderic h Signal -Star is a mud mender of the Canodiaa
Community Newspaper Association (CMA) and The ontatio
•
Community Newspapers Association (OCNA).
Editor' II Deadlines...
Advertising Deadlines
Enters ►gent, Births,
In Menu
Classifieds...
Display Advertising...
Telephone
Fax....
Publisher...
Reporters.,.
si{:: uu,47l-))
Lt.A.
LAN% (4\) . r K fj &kAJ
(kE U‘/ — ze..6 (j‘d)
it c4ii (41\d
SO fall. PUT YOU
DOWN M Ate!
'EMPNATIC NO"
FOR A SUMMER ELECTION!
1
(
Student makes good on old promise
To the Editor;
In the May 27 edition of the Goderich
Signal -Star you reported ')n a dinner meeting
at the Goderich Legion attended by members
of all the service organizations in Goderich
and hosted by the Goderich Lions Club.
In your remarks, you reported a story told
by Stan Connelly about a part of his educa-
tion journey. In conclusion, Stan stated he
owed his GDCI math teacher a tank of gas
and a meal for his efforts on Stan's behalf.
Since I had left the meeting early, I did not
hear the story. The next day Stan visited me
Monday at 10 am
Deaths,
Friday at 3 pm
Monday at noon
Monday at noon
519-524-2614
519-524-5145
Dave Sykes
Dominique Milburn
Gerard Creces
Denny Scott
•
Letters
opinion
and presented me with a voucher for a tank of
gas and a dinner. He also gave me his first
university calendar hook (1963-64).
He autographed the book, "Harold, because
you did what you did, i am what I am. All my
thanks, Stan."
Harold Bettger
Goderich
Classifieds & Subscription...
Accounting...
Office Manager...
Display Sales...
Advertising Manager...
Judy Austin
Rhonda Butt
Mary Johnston
Janet Shrier
Lisa McLaren
Keith Moreland
Kevin Shrier
Small...
gssnew.s@howesnet.eom,gsssports@bowesner.com
gssads@bo wesnet.com, goderichadcOP ba wesnet.eom
website...
www goderichsignalstareom ,
PUSUCAnotts reuse Aon[rtrun No, 40064683
PAP RIO NT*AT,ON No. 7602
RETURN UNotuvtntuu CANADIAN Aootttlsses
To:
Circulation Opt.,
120 Nuckkra St., P.O. Box 120,
Oodsrich, ON,
N7A 406
(519) 524.2614
mkt: gssnrws®bow.snM.corn
We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of
t ansda,thmnOthrfhhlkatkrnsA WanceProg am(PAP),towardourmail-
ing costs.
(��t1:�(i' AOcna