H1N1 Clinics and Concerns at EDSS

 

 

 

Kleenex boxes are in short supply in classrooms

By: Felicia Clement

 

 Ms.  Telford, a V.P at EDSS, says that Elmira High School has been chosen to be a clinic for H1N1, due to it being the central location for people in the township.

 Flu clinics will be held on November 18 (for H1NI) and December 9 (for regular flu), although those times are yet to be confirmed.

 H1N1 is a new virus that has developed and has become more harmful to humans over the past year. It differs from the seasonal flu due to its different target group, that mainly being younger adults and how quickly the symptoms are increasing.

The number of students who have been ill over the past week has increased by around 50 to 100 more students than usual, says Ms. Spitzer a secretary at EDSS, “There has been around 100 -200 students newly sick every day.”

EDSS teachers are showing reasoned concern on how this flu will affect the region. Mr. Cotter a social science teacher at EDSS highlights that the last pandemic was in WW1 with the Spanish Influenza, but this flu is different although that is the name it has been given. On being objective on the manner he says, “The media has had conflicting and contrasting statements” and as a result it is hard to decide on what to do next.

 Mr. Swatridge, a fellow social science teacher at EDSS, says that statistics show that around 86 Canadians have died from the flu so far but that is a far cry from the average 4,000 that die every year from the seasonal flu. But he does say the symptoms severity is something to be watchful of.

 The vaccine Mr. Cotter adds is not like the seasonal flu. Instead of injecting a person with the active virus they are receiving the dead virus which helps the immune system fight it off.

  As for taking the vaccine, Mr. Vandenberg another teacher at the school says, “The concerns for the vaccine are hypothetical but the effects of the flu are real,” but he asserts that it all comes down to the individual’s discretion.

Cassie LaChance, a Grade 12 student at EDSS, says that the media has overplayed the flu although there should be some concern she will not be rushing out to receive the vaccination.