So far, 10,000 people have died and 180,000 people have been hospitalized during the 2019-2020 season, according to preliminary estimates from the CDC, as of Jan 31, 2020. But, do not panic, the reference is about the FLU, not CORONAVIRUS.
Although the same source admits that the flu shot is better than last year’s, despite tough season for kids, more than 100 kids have died of the flu so far.
“The influenza vaccine protects against various strains, three or four, depending on which vaccine you receive,” said Dr. William Schaffner, medical director for the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases.
In our opinion, the panic, for lack of a better word, with Coronavirus is fear of the unknown, and the feeling that we are unprotected. Several times we have heard CDC authorities saying that Coronavirus is not as dangerous as the FLU. Both can kill, and the elderly is the most susceptible, not because of old age but for their health condition.
Again, in our opinion, if people are dying of flu it’s probably because they are not protecting themselves with the flu shot, but they are concerned about the Coronavirus because there is no vaccine for it.
Concerned about how our School Department is taking care of the safety of their children with respect of Coronavirus, some parents had reached several members of the School Committee. They elevated those concerns to the School Superintendent receiving, instead, an angry response from our mayor. You can read all about it on page #9.
Coinciding with the meeting held at the library by three members of the School Committee, the Lawrence School Department has posted a notice on Facebook titled Family Engagement Survey, asking parents to answer the questions by obscuring small circles, such how the circles are filled on the electoral ballot.
None of the questions cover the parents’ main concern: Coronavirus, and how their children are being protected by the administration.
As reported, the survey ends on March 16, 2020. We are eager to see the results.
