I just saw a report on the evening news that the overall effectiveness of this season's flu vaccine was 58%; for the elderly it was 10%. Since I am closer to the elderly category than any other, I think I was really taken in by the publicity surrounding this issue. I have had the flu shot maybe twice in my life before this year, and I think this will be my last. Ten percent effectiveness gives you a false sense of security, and I won't be so gullible in the future. But who knows, I may be in that 10% effective group.
WOW! You folks who live in the central area of the country are really being pounded by the snowy weather. I hope you can ride it out indoors and can avoid the roads and highways.
The sunset I can see through my squeaky clean sliding door is spectacular this evening. I was poring through my iPhoto collection a couple of days ago and realized how often I photograph this scene. I'm so lucky to be able to see it on a near daily basis.
I don't know why I should have been so tired today but I took a long afternoon nap, wrapped in a snuggly blanket because I've been cold all day.
The news doesn't look good for the upcoming summer season at the National Parks unless Congress can get its act together. Fewer rangers in the picture? They have already cut the ranger staff to the bone at Lassen. I am definitely going to make friends with the local sheriffs' departments although I'm sure their budgets are stretched as well. It's a shame that when the Parks need volunteers more than ever, they don't have the staff to support and protect them. I'm getting ahead of the problem and we may miraculously get an alternative to sequestration within the next week.
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I have gotten the flu shot every year, and have never gotten the flu when people around me did. Each year they try to guess which viruses will be the dominant strains before they are. This year they guessed wrong.
ReplyDeleteI did get the swine flu one year but got the Tamiflu med within 24 hours and recovered quickly.
I haven't read or heard of any adverse effects of getting the shot.
Gypsy, when I heard the news, I immediately thought of you; wondered what your reaction was going to be. Sure enough, when I saw the title, I knew already what you were going to be talking about!
ReplyDeleteOh, well. Let's just be happy you didn't get the flu. Never mind why not!
You are so right about the volunteers and the parks. If only those in power would choose more wisely how to spend taxpayer dollars! More dollars for parks; fewer for wars.........Take care...
Gypsy, you can't really believe everything you hear on TV. I heard different stats about the flu shot and they were much higher then 10%. I also "heard" that even if you get the flu, the shot can help make it less severe. So I think we have to do what makes us feel more comfortable. :)
ReplyDeleteWhen I got my flu shot in September last year, the pharmacist at walgreens gave me a special one--stronger because i am a senior too. Maybe that's what you got too.
ReplyDeleteThe medical field has a way of getting us to do things we really don't want to do. Don't know how they do it.
ReplyDeleteThat is a crying shame. The government State or Federal seem to come up funds when they want. I think it is just a bunch of bull they feed us. If they really wanted more rangers they would find a way to make it work. The parks don't support politicians so they are not priority.
Ever hear of a deer voting???
This whole government sequester mess is just so stupid. I am so glad I'm not working for the Feds any longer. Guess I'd better not get started on my ranting about politicians. I may never quit.
ReplyDeleteI left a couple of comments on your previous post about seafood recipes for I Make Soap ~ hope you saw them ~ and sorry for taking up your comment space, but wanted to make sure she got them :) Liz
ReplyDeletePS Since you had experienced some illness before your flu shot, I'm sure it gave you piece of mind to have it, and made a lot of sense under the circumstances.
I sure hope the congress does its job, but I am not really optimistic:(
ReplyDeleteHere's an article I read this morning... unbelievable... In POTUS' state of the union address he wants to protect our National Parks...
ReplyDeletehttp://www.parkadvocate.org/proof-positive-our-national-parks-are-in-peril/
I'm telling you this is the most inefficient bunch of people in congress I have ever witnessed ... and I've witnessed a bunch!
ignerts
The snowstorm out here in the middle of the country was SO over-hyped. We only got about 6" here in NE Nebr. and very little wind. Guess it must be a slow news time.
ReplyDeleteI've never gotten the flu shot and don't ever intend to. I've talked to too many people who only get sick when they've had the shot. This year especially it didn't matter what you went to the dr. for, the first question was always, "Have you had your flu shot?" In my opinion it's better to take a good multi-vitamin, some garlic and some extra vitamin D3. They're the same with the cholesterol lowering drugs....always trying to get you on them. I always refuse those too.