H1N1 Flu Vaccine vs Common Sense

Hi Everyone:

I learned this week that a while ago, New York State passed a law that mandates all health care professionals to get the H1N1 (swine flu) vaccine. Sounds like a good idea right? Well not according to a minority of health care professionals here in New York State.

It seems that there are some health care professionals that are against receiving the vaccine. They say that it is wrong to mandate it because it is against their civil liberties. They plan NOT to get the vaccine and fight having to receive it every step of the way, including filing a lawsuit. Oh you've got to be kidding me. Can these health care professionals be serious? Health care professionals are part of the first responders that care for people who are sick.

The 1918 flu epidemic that swept across the world killed millions of people. Even though this years swine flu will not be that bad, scientists are concerned that this second round of swine flu may mutate and consequently sicken and most likely, more people will die from it then last year, especially if they have other health problems i.e.: any type of lung disease. Why then don't those Health Care Professionals want to get the vaccine? Not receiving the vaccine is extremely short sighted and they are the ones who should and do know better. The bigger picture is that if the vaccine works, then it is good for the larger population so that the flu is not spread by the professionals who treat them. To me that is absolutely the only common sense approach to help stem the spread of the flu by health care professionals to others who may not be infected, including their own families and friends.

Of course there are other ways that all of us can help to stop the spread. A few of those ways are: 1) Sneeze into the crux of your elbow.
2) If you sneeze into a tissue, throw the tissue out asap and don't put it in your pocket.
3) If you are sick, stay home.
4) Wash your hands thoroughly.
5) If you touch handrails, doorknobs, handles or any other surface that other people touch, do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth. Then wash your hands as soon as you are able.
6) Never press elevator buttons with the tip of your finger, use your knuckle instead.
7) Use common sense.