Cold Week 8 No DC Kills

When is less more? When this weeks flu deaths exceeded last weeks deaths and this weeks or rather week number eight (8) deaths from flu or pneumonia from the District of Columbia are not reported. This month is considered or rather week eight's (8) month is considered the peak of the flu season. That the numbers are up is not inconsistent with the period as predicted by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

When is it less? When even with an unreported weekly figure from Washington DC the overall numbers are down when compared to the periods of the previous three (3) years. It's working. It's working! If you got vaccinated you are protected. Whether or not you believe that the protection is actually protecting you, its protecting you by keeping those who could infect you uninfected. That might be hard to understand but its easily and scientifically verifiable. We're protected and again this is the height of the season of infections and the flu shot protection will keep you alive and sick free. Nothing offers you that kind of protection except the shot.

Flu Deaths 2010 by Jurisdiction  THIS Week LAST Week YTD 2010 YTD 2009 YTD 2008 YTD 2007 District of Columbia Baltimore, MD Charlotte, NC Richmond/Norfolk,VA U 20 12 6 3 11 12 4 11 133 97 47 12 136 66 61 11 131 100 53 9 121 100 55 TOTALS WEEK 8  38  30  228  275  295  285

"The proportion of deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza (P&I) based on the 122 Cities Report increased very slightly over last week but remains low. One flu-related pediatric death was reported this week associated with an influenza B virus infection that occurred in February 2009. Since April 2009, CDC has received reports of 329 laboratory-confirmed pediatric deaths: 277 due to 2009 H1N1, 50 pediatric deaths that were laboratory confirmed as influenza A, but the flu virus subtype was not determined, and two pediatric deaths that were associated with seasonal influenza viruses. (Laboratory-confirmed deaths are thought to represent an undercount of the actual number. CDC has provided estimates about the number of 2009 H1N1 cases and related hospitalizations and deaths." - Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

The dead totals for the week (eight) excluding the unreported figures from the District of Columbia are for Maryland (171),  North Carolina (123) and Virginia (146). That Washington DC didn't report any death numbers for the week is consistent with the reporting habits for the jurisdiction for the years 2009 and 2008. That the numbers were either unreported or didn't include any deaths should figure, in our opinion, into the city's scheduling. Every year, weather pending, close down the jurisdiction for the protection of its citizens so that no one would die.

Oh, if that's all it took think of how much money we could save in health costs!

Our focus, maybe much like yours, has been on the second earthquake to hit Chile and the current malaria outbreak in Haiti. And while its good to be concerned for others while were on this "flight through time and space" like all good passengers we have to first be able to take care of ourselves before we can take care of others. So continue to take care of yourself, give what you can and do what you're able. Just keep on being safe.