H1N1?

With the expected "pandemic" I guess the debate is on. To get the vaccine or not? It is recommended that as a teacher I do go get it, especially in my case where I see each and every student in the school, and they are in and out of my classroom every thirty minutes. I am rather susceptible to the virus. Especially with hands on instruments, carpeted risers as well as the simple fact that it's air borne and we spend a lot of time expelling air in our room with singing and what not.

Last year was the first year I ever got a flu shot and well, I still got sick. Maybe not as bad as it might have been, but I guess I'll never know for sure. There has also been an initial study that has shown that those persons who received the seasonal flu shot last year are more susceptible to catching the H1N1 virus. Man... I just can't win sometimes.

So I guess with all that being said, I need to get the shot.

Everyone has been in wait for the vaccine and today it has finally arrived and is available. Unfortunately they cannot bring it to the school as they have in the past with the seasonal flu shot, and in addition, they cannot bring the seasonal shot to us either. They have set up 4 clinics around the city and you are free to go get it. Now, with that being said, people are lined up as far as the eye can see at each clinic and are saying the average wait is 3 to 6 hours. THREE to SIX HOURS??!! That is just madness!! And if you think you'll just beat the rush and schedule an appointment with your doctor, think again. They won't be available for you from your doctor's office until sometime mid-November or later.

So, on top of that, our school has had it's first confirmed case announced today. Apparently it was diagnosed on Friday but we are just getting the information today. Along with that case there is one other case diagnosed, and one case of Mono. I mean I assumed it was going to hit sooner or later, but this is definitely sooner than I thought.

So, does the vaccine help you if you pick up the virus before getting vaccinated? If you do get the virus, can you get it again after it has passed? I guess I need more information, and in the meantime I'll keep pumping the Cold FX and call Pharmacist Sue to see what she thinks. If you've got any great insights / ideas feel free to let me know!

October 2009

So lots of things have been happening this October but most notably, the weather. Our first snowfall for the season came on October 4th. It wasn't a huge amount, huge flakes though. And again, I'll remind you all, it was on OCTOBER 4th!!


The next snow that came lasted longer and came in MUCH bigger quantities. On October 13th it was a full on winter wonderland. I took a few pictures as I needed to head out to a dentist appointment. The roads were ridiculous and people were getting into accidents everywhere. I guess that's what happens when the city doesn't plow or salt. EVER!






Aside from the great outdoors, I have been keeping entertained in the great indoors by my two favorite fuzzy friends Turbo & Slash. These two can entertain me to no end. Thought I'd share some of their most recent action shots. Well Turbo's action shots, Slash's not-so-action shots ;)