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COMMENTS
"); document.write("Anonymous");document.write("

");document.write("I am a parent of a child that attends Morris CS. My child complained he felt sick on Thursday night, 6/4. The following day, the school nurse noticed increased flu-like symptoms and notified the Otsego County DOH. My son did not attend school that Friday, 6/5, so he was not among those the nurse counted or recommended testing for. He had a high fever (104.1 at it's highest), fatigue, chills, cough, and a runny but stuffy nose. The following day he also had mild diarrhea. He was not tested but I am convinced he had H1N1. There are three main reasons I share this. One, he is fully recovered and recovered within a few days. Two, I am sure the actual number of kids who contracted this virus is higher than reported. Three, while I do feel that school officials are doing what they can to contain the 'outbreak' and keep the community informed, I believe that school officials should have called everyone with a child in the district. Relying on children to give their parents a letter--especially one of such significance, is not the best practice. I found my son's note wadded at the bottom of his backpack. It could have just as easily been stuffed at the bottom of his locker. Matters of such importance require more personal and reliable contact by school officials. In the future, I hope this is realized.");document.write("

"); document.write(" June 14, 2009, 9:44 AM"); document.write("
"); document.write(" Anon Omus wrote:"); document.write("

");document.write("“Kudos to Deb Myers! She a mom with children who attend MSC and is staying educated about H1N1, keeping level headed and factual, and doing all the right things to protect herself and her family! She is a voice of reason in a sea of panic and misinformation”.

Let me know!");document.write("

"); document.write(" June 12, 2009, 3:01 PM"); document.write("
"); document.write("Anonymous");document.write("

");document.write("I would just like to say I am a parent of one of the children that were confirmed to have the flu. How my child got it? who knows.... Do I think they should close the school? No. My child had a high fever and a sore throat. That was it! I bet there are alot of people that have it or have had it and don't even know. The stomach bug was worse to deal with then this. My child was better in a few days. I have other children in the house and nobody else got sick. The school is doing a great job. They contacted me right away to have my child tested and They sent letters home when we all got the results of the tests. My suggestion to parents if your child has a high fever and doesnt feel well have them tested. I would of never thought that was what my child had.");document.write("

"); document.write(" June 12, 2009, 1:49 PM"); document.write("
"); document.write("Anonymous");document.write("

");document.write("To consider closing this school with only a small amount of time left in the year is ridiculous. Look at the numbers, 'swine flu' is hardly the big bad virus everyone is making it out to be. thousands more get sick and are killed by the normal flu throughout the year. 'swine flu' is just a mild version of it. Most people may not even realize they have it, they may think they had the common cold. And the word pandemic means nothing more in this case than that this disease has spread throughout the world, not a few countries.");document.write("

"); document.write(" June 12, 2009, 12:22 PM"); document.write("
"); document.write(" Mike wrote:"); document.write("

");document.write("It is not my intention to create fear or undue concern. However, it seems important to note that on the same day that the school sent home its notices of six confirmed cases (not total case, but confirmed), the World Health Organization labeled the Swine flu the first phase 6 Global Pandemic in more than 40 years.

While the story states that most cases have recovered, we assume that these cases were present in otherwise healthy kids. I don’t think that goes far enough to warn of the danger this strain of flu could pose to young children and toddlers, the elderly, and people with a wide variety of other non-related illnesses and conditions. Also, the flu is most easily spread in confined, congregate spaces with exposure to sick or infected people—kind of like a central school!

In the story it was noted that a school nurse noticed an increase of illnesses, while Morris is a small school, I am fairly certain that more than the 6 confirmed cases would have to be present to note that increase. This story does not mention any ball park figures on how many kids or staff are/were affected either—not in terms of numbers or percentages. Information of that type would be helpful in determining the prevalence of the cluster.");document.write("

"); document.write(" June 12, 2009, 9:53 AM"); document.write("
"); document.write(" Deb Myers wrote:"); document.write("

");document.write("How can People still call it 'Swine Flu'. It is H1N1 Influenza, right? Nevertheless, Everyone needs to read up on the facts of all Flu viruses. They are all dangerous if not taken care of. Wide spread panic, is just a rediculous way to handle this.No they aren't going to shut down the school, there is only a week left.Is it serious, yes, it can be & I get that. It isn't the School's fault that this 'Flu' is out there. It is important to make sure you know all of the facts before you go into Panic Mode about anything! I have three children who are students at MCS, and also have two little ones at home, including an infant. There will always be an Illness or Disease out there that scare the living daylights out of people, Be smart, Be responsible, and take care of your children and yourselves. There is no one to blame, it is what it is! Please read all of the facts!");document.write("

"); document.write(" June 12, 2009, 9:14 AM"); document.write("

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