Anyone worried that the pandemic will affect fligh

[FraserLynn]

For me, the bigger question is where do you want to be when the pandemic really gets going?

I guess a glib answer could be enjoying the sunshine of Florida, but personally I would rather be in a country I know well, near my own doctor, close to the pharmacy which I know and trust in a country where I know and understand how the medical care process works.

I know a lot of people who were caught up in the SARS problem in Asia and it was no fun at all for them to be told to stay in their hotel / apartment for up to a fortnight in very unfamiliar surroundings.

Whilst I agree we all have to carry on with life as normal, the experts at the WHO are just that experts and if they have moved the alert level to 5, well, I don't think they are big on being alarmist for the sake of it.

There is no harm in prudence.

[coxy95]

ONCE AGAIN THE MEDIA HAS EVERYONE IN A FRENZY !REMEMBER THE BIRD FLU SCARE ? IF YOU TAKE
NOTICE OF EVERYTHING THE MEDIA RANTS ABOUT YOU WOULD NEVER LEAVE YOUR HOUSE NEVER MIND TRAVEL!!!!!!!

[ShirleyD]

For those worried about filters on aircraft, this is the guidance sent out by Boeing and Airbus...

Boeing and Airbus have both issued guidance in relation to the virus. Boeing said that HEPA filters – fitted on Boeing aircraft – remove more than 99 per cent of contaminants, including viruses and bacteria, from the recirculated air in the cabin. Boeing recommends leaving the recirculation fans on with HEPA filters installed, even when there is a suspected influenza A (H1N1) case on board, as it contributes to the total airflow in the cabin and dilutes the contaminant level.

Airbus issued similar guidance, saying that “any virus retained in the cabin air recirculation filters is expected to have a very short survival time”.

[MJG]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by coxy95
ONCE AGAIN THE MEDIA HAS EVERYONE IN A FRENZY !REMEMBER THE BIRD FLU SCARE ? IF YOU TAKE
NOTICE OF EVERYTHING THE MEDIA RANTS ABOUT YOU WOULD NEVER LEAVE YOUR HOUSE NEVER MIND TRAVEL!!!!!!![/quote]No need to shout coxy95 we can hear you!!

I think the point of my post was not so much about whether I would want to fly or not but whether I will be able to in 6 weeks - that is a different thing all together. I may make an informed choice weigh up the risks and decide OK I'll go for it

- only to find I can't because things have got so bad that flights are cancelled.

I have to say I do think IMHO some of the posts above do have a little bit of a 'Ostrich with it's head in the sand' feel about them.

Regarding cross country contamination and then cross human contamination within those countries we already have a different scenario from the Avian flu epidemic. Indeed good hygiene is key to all of this but the fact is it may still get much much worse and could indeed affect travel between countries.

[Katys Grandad]

Now had the first confirmed case (an 11 year old boy) in Lee County on the Gulf Coast near to where I'm currently staying.

It's difficult to compare the coverage in the US/UK but there's almost nothing else on the networks at the moment. I can't work out whether the public are responding to the media or if it's the other way around but it's a huge concern for most people around here now.

[blott]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Katys Grandad
Now had the first confirmed case (an 11 year old boy) in Lee County on the Gulf Coast near to where I'm currently staying.

It's difficult to compare the coverage in the US/UK but there's almost nothing else on the networks at the moment. I can't work out whether the public are responding to the media or if it's the other way around but it's a huge concern for most people around here now.[/quote]Not that this thread is related to any cases in Florida, just flying, but according to a central Florida newspaper survey not so many people are hugely concerned:

How concerned are you about the swine flu?

Extremely worried. I am almost afraid to go into public places. (514 responses) 8.8%

Starting to get nervous. I am already taking precautions to limit my exposure. (1087 responses) 18.5%

Concerned but calm. I am paying attention to the developments, but that is it so far. (2995 responses) 51.0%

Not much. This will be like the bird flu: a lot more fuss than is warranted. (1273 responses) 21.7%

To put it into perspective, we have/have had more cases currently in the UK than there are in Florida.

[anorak]

Shirley D posted:
"For those worried about filters on aircraft, this is the guidance sent out by Boeing and Airbus...

Boeing and Airbus have both issued guidance in relation to the virus. Boeing said that HEPA filters – fitted on Boeing aircraft – remove more than 99 per cent of contaminants, including viruses and bacteria, from the recirculated air in the cabin. Boeing recommends leaving the recirculation fans on with HEPA filters installed, even when there is a suspected influenza A (H1N1) case on board, as it contributes to the total airflow in the cabin and dilutes the contaminant level."

This is reassuring, however I think I might like to sit as near the front of the aircraft as possible on the hope that the air I breathe won't have been breathed previously by so many people sitting in rows of seats in front of me.

Travelling often as a single passenger its much easier to get a seat near the front.

[Katys Grandad]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by blott
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Katys Grandad
Now had the first confirmed case (an 11 year old boy) in Lee County on the Gulf Coast near to where I'm currently staying.

It's difficult to compare the coverage in the US/UK but there's almost nothing else on the networks at the moment. I can't work out whether the public are responding to the media or if it's the other way around but it's a huge concern for most people around here now.[/quote]Not that this thread is related to any cases in Florida, just flying, but according to a central Florida newspaper survey not so many people are hugely concerned:

How concerned are you about the swine flu?

Extremely worried. I am almost afraid to go into public places. (514 responses) 8.8%

Starting to get nervous. I am already taking precautions to limit my exposure. (1087 responses) 18.5%

Concerned but calm. I am paying attention to the developments, but that is it so far. (2995 responses) 51.0%

Not much. This will be like the bird flu: a lot more fuss than is warranted. (1273 responses) 21.7%

To put it into perspective, we have/have had more cases currently in the UK than there are in Florida.
[/quote]

I'm sure that was the case and I personally had no concerns whatsoever until I discovered that there was a confirmed diagnosis so close to where I am. What I saw last night on the TV was a massive shift in people's views. Schools are closing their doors and event organisers are reviewing their plans if large numbers of people are to be present. It may well be an massive over-reaction and I can't judge the feelings in the UK but its very big here at the moment.

Back to the flying topic, the largest US carrier to Mexico (Continental) have cut their schedules to there by half now.

As I said, it is hard to see just who is driving this reaction but I see a very marked change in attitude around here in the last 24 hours. Typically, the response of people interviewed in the street is along the lines of "OMG, I wasn't worried but I am now". I have to say that is precisely my feeling.

[wrpac00]

Its already not the main news item on Sky anymore.

Things seem to be calming down, bit from the BBC:- Mexico has revised down the suspected death toll from swine flu from 176 to 101, indicating that the outbreak may not be as bad as was initially feared.

Health Minister Jose Angel Cordova told the BBC that, based on samples tested, the mortality rate was comparable with that of seasonal flu.

Give it a couple more weeks and it won't even be in the news. The WHO have a lot to answer for, this is not the first time they have gone over the top about something like this. Remember good old bird flu? The WHO estimated 150 million would die worldwide from it, it ended up around 200.

[normajohnp]

Well I must say here in the Kissimmee area I have yet to see anyone panicking about it. Apart from the media of course!. Yes the authorities are taking precautions but no way are the people out here worried like the media are telling you.There are the odd one's but that is the same the world over, some people are born to worry about there health. I do not consider that I am sticking my head in the sand just being realistic.