Whatever happened to the flu pandemic?

Posted at 5:01 PM on October 6, 2008 by Bob Collins (8 Comments)
Filed under: Health

It wasn't that long ago -- within the last two years, actually -- that a flu pandemic was our biggest worry. Here at the world headquarters of News Cut, we even had a meeting or two about how we would function if we were all sick or half of us dead.

Those were the days.

A new report from Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics, however, has reminded us -- in the event we weren't depressed enough already today -- that a pandemic is still a real possibility.

Says the report's outline:

This article provides ethics guidance for pandemic planning, response, and resource allocation--that is, what ethical considerations determine which public health responses are implemented, who will be restricted and who will be helped, what will be communicated to the public, and how will the public be included in decisions and responses?

In other words: Who's going to get first crack at vaccine and other treatment? Their suggestions are surprising. First responders? Sure. The sickest? Not so fast.

While some have suggested that scarce medical countermeasures be allocated primarily to first responders and then to the sickest, we suggest that an ethical public health response should set priorities based on essential functions. An ethical response also will engage the public, will coordinate interdependent sectors as a core preparedness priority, and will address how plans affect and can be understood by the least well off.

Public health "experts" and "government officials to whom the public will turn for information and direction" are on the priority list. So are utility workers, truck drivers, and people who work in grocery stores.

"Alongside healthcare workers and first responders, priority should be given to the people who provide the public with basic essentials for good health and well-being, ranging from grocery store employees and communications personnel to truck drivers and utility workers," said Nancy Kass, deputy director of public health at the Berman Institute.

Nothing about bloggers.

Minnesota, however, is way ahead of Johns Hopkins. In 2006, a task force outlined a strategy for who's the most important and who should be "saved" first.

It recommends young, healthy people get the vaccine first. The report also says that giving priority to health care workers won't work because there won't even be enough vaccine to go around.

And you? How critical do you think you would be during a pandemic?

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Comments (8)

Let's see, I know who shouldn't be vaccinated/saved. High-flying Wall Street speculators maybe? But gosh darn it, heck and golly gee whiz, those guys always manage to get what they want. Successful crooks are survivors, no matter what their business (business, politics, Mafia).

As for me, I'm easily expendable as part of the Boomers. If we don't get wiped out by disease we'll get pushed off a cliff like buffalo. That'll solve Social Security and Medicare insolvency nicely.

Posted by sm | October 6, 2008 5:35 PM

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I work with pensions. I would have little purpose during a pandemic.

Posted by brian | October 6, 2008 8:56 PM

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I have asthma-perhaps I should up the life insurance.

No vaccine for me-

Posted by West WI Rugger | October 6, 2008 9:23 PM

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We still have a large jar of peanut butter and some cans of tuna stashed in our basement for the pandemic. Michael Osterholm scared the *** out of my right before that food stashing. He does not lay out a pretty picture.

Posted by momkat | October 6, 2008 9:54 PM

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I have a buddy who keeps the computers running that support the lab at North Memorial. I'd put him high on the list. Me? Generic IT knowledge worker. Not so high...

Posted by Mitch | October 7, 2008 8:35 AM

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Here's an article which puts it all into perspective. Just because it's not in our faces any more doesn't mean it isn't going to happen.

No More Bird Flu Threat? Think Again.

Nigel Thomas


For free references and resources go to Bird Flu Manual Online or, if you need more comprehensive tutorials, tools and templates, consider Bird Flu D-I-Y eManual for your pandemic influenza preparedness.

Posted by Nigel Thomas | October 7, 2008 10:30 AM

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My wife is in the health care field and has been following this for awhile.

This is the best place she knows of for "little known" information.

Posted by Christopher | October 7, 2008 3:46 PM

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Bird flu is resuming its spread around Asia.
For a free guide to pandemic bird flu preparedness see: www.pandemicinfosite.com

Posted by John | January 18, 2009 10:48 AM

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