Swine flu national update

If you would like to read the national update on the swine flu, go to http://cdc.gov/h1n1flu/

Right on that webpage, you'll see that, as of 10:00AM Central Time today, there have been 160 confirmed cases and one death in the United States. There are three (3) confirmed cases in Illinois.

Swine flu local update

The following Memo was distributed today by Patrick McNulty, Public Health Administrator of McHenry County, Illinois.

Subject: H1N1 (swine Flu) Update

“The H1N1 (Swine Flu) outbreak continues to be a fluid situation. The number of cases in Illinois as of 10 am on 5/2/09 is 88 with 85 probable and 3 confirmed. That number is expected to increase and our mostly in the Northeastern part of the state. Hospitalization on a national level is at 6% of the cases. There is one probable case in McHenry and at least 18 people have been tested in the county with results pending. Our local surveillance has shown an increase in chest congestion in schools, which we are closely monitoring.

“We are continuing to work with all the schools to look at any unusual increase in flu like symptoms over what is normally expected. We have taken into account issues such as allergies and asthma. The discussion on school closure continues to get a lot of attention throughout the country. There is specific guidance on school closures from CDC. While the ultimate decision to close any school rest with the school district, the Department has made it clear as to our ability and willingness to provide the scientific assistance that is necessary to come to a conclusion.

“IDPH direction for testing of possible H1N1 cases has changed due to the overloading of laboratory capacity. IDPH will accept for testing only those cases that have symptoms and have been hospitalized.”Treatment and isolation guidance of those who have symptoms and are not tested remains the same. Anti virals are still considered for treatment only and do require a doctors prescriptions. Updates on testing and treatment guidance are provided to all medical providers in the county. IDPH has issued a press release warning of the over prescription and use of anti virals. The most effective use of anti virals at this point is for those that received them within the first 48 hours of having actual symptoms.

“The Departments has received a package of medical supplies from the strategic national stockpile on 5-1-09. This package contains anti virals and respirators. Similar packages were received by all hospitals and health departments throughout the state. Guidance for its use and reorder has been provided. At his point the use is limited to treatment only when no other sources exist. At his point there is still readily available supplies of anti virals in the private sector and production of additional supplies is underway.

“The Department has canceled the scheduled dispensing exercise at Marengo High School that was scheduled for May 8, 2009 due to our current H1N1 response. This exercise will be rescheduled at a latter time.

“The Department continues to maintain our web site at http://www.mcdh.info/ and has been getting a good response from the public with several entities linking our page to theirs. We have all of our public information posters on the web page in Spanish and English. “We have completed development of a new poster on staying home when you are ill that will be widely distributed.

“All of our staff and MRC volunteers have been kept fully up to date on the situation and our receiving additional training should we need to expand our involvement. We have developed a daily SWINE LINE publication to serve this purpose.

“The Departments H1N1 operation Center Staff consist of ten Department staff and our medical advisor who meet daily and who have fully stayed on top of the situation. We have also invited our Emergency Management Agency, County Administration and County Board Chairman to participate in our meetings and which they have. Staff have done an excellent job in their response to the H1N1 outbreak and have been utilizing all of the past training/planning for an event of this magnitude.”

Swine Flu Prevention

There has been considerable attention to swine flu.

Some say that the newspapers are hyping it. Or that the new administration is trying to scare the population (to get attention off efforts at gun control? or off the economy?). Or many other reasons for worldwide attention.

Is it really serious?

There is one good way to avoid swine flu. Thanks to Gary (and someone before him), here is it. Don't do this!

Viking Dodge - Friend or Foe

A new reader of WoodstockAdvocate.com posted a comment today to an August 31, 2007, article, and I thought it was worth publishing right up front, especially in view of the dwindling supply of vehicles on the Viking Dodge lot in Crystal Lake and the apparently strong interest of the Crystal Lake Parks District in acquiring the Viking Dodge property (for about twice its fair market value).

Take a look at the plight of this customer and offer any help, either by posting your comment here or by writing directing to him.

He wrote:

inkdup102586 (http://openid.aol.com/inkdup102586) has left a new comment on your post "Wayne vs. Viking Dodge - He's Back": I don't know if anyone will see this, but if someones does and wants to try and help me then thanks ahead of time. I bought a car from them about 4 years ago when i was 18 and didnt have a license. When i received my 1st payment due paper it was almost twice the amount i signed for. Turns out viking dodge sent in a contract that was around $15000 higher then the one i had.If anyone has a way to help me, my email is inkdup102586@yahoo.com

The Lion and The Little Girl

Who makes up these things? This one came my way in the email today. Please excuse the grammatical errors; they are in the original.

"A biker was riding by the zoo, when he sees a little girl leaning into the lion's cage. Suddenly, the lion grabs her by the cuff of her jacket and tries to pull her inside to slaughter her, under the eyes of her screaming parents. The biker jumps off his bike, runs to the cage, and hits the lion square on the nose with a powerful punch.

Whimpering from the pain, the lion jumps back....letting go of the girl, and the biker brings her to her terrified parents, who thank him endlessly. A New York Times reporter has watched the whole event.

The reporter, addressing the biker, says, "Sir, this was the most gallant and brave thing I saw a man do in my whole life."

The biker replies, "Why, it was nothing, really..... the lion was behind bars. I just saw this little kid in danger, and acted as I felt right."

The reporter says, "Well, I'll make sure this won't go unnoticed. I'm a journalist from the New York Times, you know, and tomorrow's paper will have this story on the front page. So, what do you do for a living and what political affiliation do you have?''

The biker replies, "I'm a U.S Marine ..and a Republican."

The journalist leaves. The following morning the biker buys The New York Times to see if it indeed brings news of his actions, and he reads on the front page: U.S MARINE ASSAULTS AFRICAN IMMIGRANT AND STEALS HIS LUNCH!!!"

Silk Oak Lane - detail

My inquiry to the Crystal Lake Police Department was promptly and professional responded to. I had requested a copy of any press release that was issued about this incident, and I heard back quickly from Chief Linder. This time, as in the past, the Crystal Lake Police Department has been open and transparent in its dealings with me. I especially appreciate this, and I thank them for their cooperation.

The reply follows:

"There was no press release. Apparently the property owners association called in a burglary to progress at a home that is under foreclosure. When the officers arrived, they noted people in the upstairs of the home and were told by the property management company that there was not to be anyone in the home. The officers attempted to raise someone by knocking on the door and when no one answered, they entered the home under the assumption that there was a crime in progress. When confronted with the people in the home, these people told the officers that they were a realtor and prospective buyers. Apparently the bank felt that they had ownership and had listed the home and no one told the property management Co. who up to this point felt they owned the house because of unpaid property assessments. Apparently no one knows exactly who owns the house, but they are aware that in the future they should coordinate their showings so as not to create the same kind of situation where the police are told that there is a crime in progress."

A careful response by police is important. There are many daytime burglaries right under the noses of neighbors. No one wants a police officer or a citizen injured.

I wonder what information the reporting caller provided to the police dispatcher. Did the caller say, "There is a nice Buick out front with a real estate agent's magnetic sign on it" or did the caller say "There is an old, rusty pick-up that a bunch of scruffy guys just got out of"? Probably not the latter; maybe not even the former.

Providing sufficient information to a dispatcher and staying on the line until the dispatcher is ready to end the call is extremely important. The dispatcher will relay details to the officers who are responding, even after they arrive. Additional and complete information helps an officer to respond appropriately and safely.

My thanks again to Chief Linder for his help.

I am not a grouch

Contrary to popular opinion (among some), I am not a grouch - always. Sometimes? yes. Often? yes. Lately, I've found myself saying, "Yes, I complain a lot. AND I am as quick to compliment good service. If and when I come across it."

I've been watching my Gas Rewards balance at Jewel Express grow. You know - those points you earn for purchases at Jewel-Osco that results in cents-off at the gas pump at Jewel Express?

About five days ago I had a balance of $0.28 off per gallon. Hmm, starting to look pretty good. I wish I had a larger gas tank on the Beetle! And then I made a small purchase last night and earned an additional penny discount, but I noticed my new Gas Rewards balance was only $0.01. Whoa! What happened to my other $0.28???

And so I called Jewel-Osco customer care this morning and spoke with Lu.

Lu recently completed her training and followed the script carefully and politely. You know when they are following the script, because there are frequent "Thank you's" and "I apologize for ..."

Lu let me know that I was her first caller about Gas Rewards, and I guessed that the information screen on her computer was offering a lot of information, but where were my points?

She conferred briefly with her supervisor and told me I didn't have any points. Then she conferred again, and my $0.29/gallon point credit was back.

Now here's the point. I've worked phones and customer service, and Lu was working hard to satisfy me. And I knew it. And she did.

I appreciated her diligent efforts on my behalf, and I didn't get in a hurry while she worked her way through the unfamiliar computer screens and the availability of her supervisor.

And so I say, "Thanks, Lu!"