The Newest Media Darling -- H1N1

noreply@blogger.com (Gerry Charbonneau) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:47:00 +0000

"Anxiety is a thin stream of fear trickling through the mind. If encouraged, it cuts a channel into which all other thoughts are drained." -- Arthur Somers Roche.

Newspapers, television and even radio commentators these days seem to relish an ongoing relationship and love affair with the H1N1 virus. Each and every day a new human tragedy, deception, revelation or insight is offered the public.

Medical professionals and those folks responsible for producing the vaccine admit that , yes, they goofed and overestimated their ability to produce the much needed vaccine.

They also readily admit that they seriously underestimated the virus's ability to conform to the standards and norms they had set for it. The strain keeps mutating while the scientists continue to be bogged down with events and circumstances they cannot control.

Public apprehension and disgust increase daily. The medical professionals who the public expects to keep them healthy and safe have let them down big time. A national state of emergency has mutated itself into a classic medical fiasco.

The experts have assumed the persona of an Elmer Fudd valiantly trying to pursue and outsmart Bugs Bunny but know deep down that their attempts are in vain.

Once reliable source of information, such as the CBS news magazine 60 Minutes is also guilty of adding to the media hype and hoopla. A recent news cast informed an anxious public that the chicken farm that houses the hens is a government security installation.

I'm sure that a family with young children or loved ones in the high risk category will rest assured knowing that Uncle Sam and tax dollars are working to protect these hens from the clutches of Colonel Sanders.

It's commendable that the scientists and pharmaceutical companies who produce the vaccine admitted that they goofed. We can all breathe a little easier knowing that they are valiantly attempting to correct their errors.

It is reprehensible that the news hungry media giants continue to fan the flames of fear and apprehension this virus has produced.

I think we are all sick and tired of the sensationalizing the media is doing to sell advertising copy and air time and retain audience ratings.

Santa's To Be Squeaky Clean This Year

noreply@blogger.com (Gerry Charbonneau) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 18:20:00 +0000

"He knows if you've been sneezing

He knows if you've been sick
He knows if you have had the flu
So, don't try to fool Saint Nick!"

Miracle on 34th Street , a 1947 film starring Maureen O'Hara, John Payne, Natalie Wood and Edmund Gwenn, is the story of what takes place in New York Cityfollowing Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, as people are left wondering whether or not a department store Santa might be the real thing. Because of its Christmas theme, the film has become a perennial Christmas favorite.

In the movie an enterprising and struggling attorney (John Payne) tries to convince a skeptical mother (Maureen O'Hara) and her young but impressionable daughter (Natalie Wood) that a "nice bearded old man" (Edmund Gwenn) is the one and only Santa Claus.

The movie offers its viewers an opportunity to suspend their non belief in Santa and become children again and enjoy the lights, sights and sounds of the season.

These days however owners of many Santa Claus schools are instructing their trainees to take extra precautions with the youngsters especially with the H1N1 virus running rampant and unchecked across the nation.

Santa Claus school graduates are being strenuously encouraged and instructed to change their gloves frequently and wash their beard and hair daily as these could be a prime source of infection. Their familiar red and white outfit is to be cleaned and sanitized regularly as well.

The usual parting Santa memento gift will this year a tube of Purell or similar hand sanitizer to protect the little ones from harm. Some Santas are also being discouraged from hugging and accepting kisses from the kids.

Those playing Santa Claus are also being asked to be especially sanitary about their health habits. One seasoned Santa reported that he has already had his regular flu shot and H1N1 flu shot and is going to take a number additional precautionary measure to protect the children

One Santa is going to place a sign next to his North Pole throne telling anxious parents that Santa not only got his flu shot but also washes his hands frequently to inspire the youngsters to do the same.

The Santa schools this year have issued a number of specific Do's and Don't for their graduates to follow. Hand cleaning stations will also be availble to assure parents that everything is being done to protect their children.

In a simpler time the public needed to be convinced that a friendly , bearded old man with a sweet disposition was the one and only Santa Claus. This case was proven and won in the movie.

These days however a very cynical and at times fearful public has to be equally assured that the man in the red and white suit chatting amiably with their children is not a source of a highly contagious and deadly flu virus.

Nibbled News Bytes

The Newest Media Darling -- H1N1

Santa's To Be Squeaky Clean This Year