Chicago is the World

When the Chicago Defender checked on the situation in early November, blacks were not lining up for H1N1 shots. And that was the case even though city officials say they had pumped up their effort to get folks to get the shots.

But that seems to be the case across the country and for large numbers in the nation’s immigrant and minority communities.

What does this matter?

If you want to tell this story and to hear the details from the government, come to a press briefing this Friday sponsored by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Medical experts from across the country will be on hand to talk about the virus, its possible impact on ethnic communities, the availability and the effectivity of the vaccinations.

They will be meeting from 10 a.m. to noon at the University Center, Park-Fountain Room, 525 S. State St., Chicago, Il. 60605

Here is a story from the Westside Gazette of Fort Lauderale, Fla. that raises some issues —  issues you will probably want to talk about on Friday. See you there,

saludos,

Stephen

ThIn its mildest form, the HlNl swine flu virus amounts to little more than a cough, mild temperature and the general malaise that accompanies a stuffy head cold. In its more virulent form, the illness can lead to pneumonia or other respiratory conditions that can sometimes be fatal.

Now, researchers are beginning to suspect that Blacks and Latinos face far greater risks of contracting the H1N1 swine flu virus. The reason for the difference in severity has been linked to Blacks / Latinos’ high incidents of asthma and complications stemming from that condition. Consequently, both ethnic groups are often harder hit by the virus and more likely to wind up in the hospital than other ethnic communities.

That unsettling realization emerged from information gathered by Boston, Mass. health officials. Currently, African Americans comprise 25 percent of that city’s overall population, but account for 37 percent of all its swine flu cases. Similarly, Latinos comprise 14 percent of the city’s population, but make up over 33 percent of newly-confirmed H1N1 cases.

H1N1 hitting Black/Latino children harder

Authorities attributed the rise in numbers among minorities primarily to the city’s overcrowded and predominantly Black public school system, along with the fact that many parents, facing hard economic times and an uncertain employment market, are often reluctant to stay home from work when their children become ill.

“For some parents in lowerwage jobs, if they don’t show up at work, they don’t get paid and people may already be on the economic margins,” stated Dr. Anita Barry with the Boston Public Health Commission. “So parents were desperate to get some of these children back in school.”

Could this be a scenario that will be played out in South Florida in the coming months, some in the medical field wonder, given the high concentrations of minority students attending some PBC schools that are located in relatively poor areas of the county?

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), “Swine flu is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by a type A-influenza virus. Like all influenza viruses, swine flu viruses change [or mutate] constantly. It is possible for pigs to become infected by avian [bird] influenza, and human viruses, as well as other swine flu viruses. When all of these viruses mix in the host pig, a whole new. set of viruses can form. The problem comes in because most people have no immunity to these new influenza viruses. As of mid July, 2009 a total of 33,902 laboratory-confirmed cases were documented in the U.S. although it is widely accepted that the true number of persons infected with H1N1 is well over a million and rising. Florida currently ranks among the top six states in the nation hardest hit by the swine flu virus, which is 20 times more prevalent among five-24-year-olds than people over 65, although, so far, it is spreading in a mild form.

Swine flu prevention

Nate Harrington, spokesperson for the Palm Beach County School District, recently spoke at some length about the H1N1 virus and how the District is dealing with it. Stating that there hasn’t been an outbreak of swine flu in the PBC School District to date, Harrington attributed their success to strict vigilance on the part of school staff.

“If students come to school, they’re immediately sent home. As soon as they’re identified coming off the bus, by staff trained to identify symptoms, they are isolated in a safe room, while staff telephone their parents to pick them up.” At no time are they “allowed to join the general population. Same policy holds with employees,” he said adding. “If you’re sick, stay home and call your doctor.”

Harrington also noted that the District basically gets its information and cue from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), via the Palm Beach County Health Dept; He made it clear, however, that the District is not into diagnosing or confirming any swine flu cases; their objective was merely to protect children under their charge.

Health experts advise people to take careful precautions to prevent the spread of the highly contagious virus. It is particularly important to cover ones’ mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing; wash hands often and thoroughly with soap and water. Hand sanitizers are also helpful. It is also recommended that patients stay at home for a minimum of 24 hours after their fever starts to go down to avoid contaminating others, unless a doctor’s-visit is advised.

Health experts advise people to take careful precautions to prevent the spread of the highly contagious virus. It is particularly important to cover ones’ mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing; wash hands often and thoroughly with soap and water. Hand sanitizers are also helpful. It is also recommended that patients stay at home for a minimum of 24 hours after their fever starts to go down to avoid contaminating others, unless a doctor’s-visit is advised.