Other views: Follow your doctors’ orders

Talk about it

The government cannot protect us against all hazards — and the H1N1 virus is one of them. Private sector health care providers, along with prudent safeguards by individuals and families, are much more effective than the government against disease.

Concern about the H1N1 virus — or swine flu — seems to be building. President Barack Obama’s recent declaration that the H1N1 outbreak is a national emergency certainly will ratchet up the level of worry for many people.

It needs to be remembered, however, that the president’s declaration was a bureaucratic technicality. Declaring a health problem to be a national emergency simply frees federal agencies and health care providers to adapt existing rules to meet new, temporary needs.

One recent statement by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention made it clear that the H1N1 virus is a serious problem. The CDC monitors all forms of flu, as well as other diseases. Statistics on the numbers of cases of widespread illnesses, along with fatalities, are posted on the agency’s Web site.

The CDC noted that, “Almost all of the influenza viruses identified so far (this fall) are 2009 H1N1 influenza A viruses.” In other words, “regular” flu does not appear to be much of a problem yet though other strains of flu are likely to become more prevalent later in the year.

Only 50 million doses of the H1N1 vaccine are expected to be available by mid-November, with another 100 million produced by mid-December.

What does this mean to Americans worried about our own health and that of loved ones and friends? It means that we need to kick common sense into high gear. Advice about preventing the spread of disease through measures such as covering our noses and mouths when we sneeze needs to be heeded. Anger about vaccine shortages should be tempered by the knowledge that health care professionals are working to ensure that those most vulnerable receive the protection first.

What’s the bottom line on the flu?

Simple: Follow the doctor’s orders. Do what health care professionals suggest — so that any strain of the flu does not become a personal emergency for you.

Tags: other views, swine flu, opinion, editorials, doctors, h1n1