Aloha Friday

by ahappyhippymom | 30th April 2009

In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that we take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So I thought that on Fridays I would take it easy on posting, too. Therefore, I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response.

If you’d like to participate, just post your own question on your blog and leave your link below. Don’t forget to visit the other participants! It’s a great way to make new bloggy friends!

photo courtesy of Flickr by Jere-me
The media hype over the swine flu has caused people to go into mass hysteria. Masks and antibacterial soaps are selling like crazy and people are canceling their vacation plans in fear of contracting the virus. Vice President Joe Biden’s comment on NBC’s “Today” show could have caused more panic and people would be afraid to use public transportation, avoid malls and classrooms.

“I would tell members of my family, and I have, I wouldn’t go anywhere in confined places now. It’s not that it’s going to Mexico, it’s you’re in a confined aircraft when one person sneezes it goes all the way through the aircraft. That’s me. I would not be, at this point, if they had another way of transportation suggesting they ride the subway. ”

“If you’re out in the middle of a field and someone sneezes that’s one thing. If you’re in a closed aircraft or a closed container or closed car or closed classroom it’s a different thing.

My question this week is

Do you think the Vice President had a point? Are you avoiding public transportation, keeping your children home from school, canceling vacation plans, or staying out of the stores?

33 Responses to “Aloha Friday”

    1
  1. Heather, aka Jake's Mommy

    May 1st, 2009 :

    We haven’t really changed our schedules all that much, but we have started carrying hand sanitizer with us everywhere.

    2. 2
  2. Lisa C.

    May 1st, 2009 :

    OOps!!

    HAHAHA You’d think if they got THAT far in office they’d know how to think before they speak.. lol.. But I’m like Heather… Nothing has changed.. We’re actually going to the mall in a few hours.. lol.. don;t think I’d let the girls play in the play area but…lol

    We’re not freaked out, but cautious..

    3. 3
  3. sheila

    May 1st, 2009 :

    I think he had a point. And it’s true with any illness in those areas. In a plane your breathing everyone’s exhaled air. And I wish everyone would learn to just stay home when sick. Oh, and I’m tired of going to the grocery store and having someone hacking all over without considering even covering their mouth. Gross.

    I carry Purell, can ya tell? lol

    4. 4
  4. Angie

    May 1st, 2009 :

    I haven’t change any schedules either. Washing hands more often but that’s about it.

    5. 5
  5. TheAngelForever

    May 1st, 2009 :

    I saw what Biden had to say and my jaw dropped. It was quite the foot in mouth since Obama had something very different to say less than 12 hours before that.

    As always the basics are most important. Hand washing and common sense. If you are sick – STAY HOME. We are heading on an airplane next week to Disney World. I will admit I am worried about the recycled air, but because of everything that we could get, not just this recent item in the news. I also think the use of hand sanitizer is funny. Most items people get are viral – which means the antibacterial agents do squat against them. Simple hand washing is most effective.

    6. 6
  6. I am Harriet

    May 1st, 2009 :

    He has been talked about for his remarks but, he may have had a point. I’m staying away from crowds mostly.

    7. 7
  7. Kate Burton

    May 1st, 2009 :

    I work in Public Health and I can tell you that while no one wants to hear it what Biden said is absolutely correct. I know it’s bad for business and industry and the economy but hand washing ain’t gonna do it folks.

    Here’s an example. You go see you favorite ball team and walk through turnstile. You and 50,000 of your fellow fans have just made contact with the turnstile. Most people will not be washing their hands the second they walk into the ballpark. But it’s possible that you’ve all been exposed.

    Change everything, heck no, I went to Toronto for vacation during SARS and kicked cancers butt. I am a little tired of people being trashed for telling the truth about virus transmission and epidemiology. Thanks for letting me rant.

    8. 8
  8. Anissa

    May 1st, 2009 :

    Haven’t changed much — just washing hands a whole lot more and carrying hand sanitizer.

    9. 9
  9. Six Feet Under Blog

    May 1st, 2009 :

    We’ve decided to not eat out for awhile.
    Please vote for my card this last week-Im almost there!

    10. 10
  10. East Coast Wahine

    May 1st, 2009 :

    No schedules changes here….I always wash my hands anyways….just a habit!

    11. 11
  11. Veronica Lee

    May 1st, 2009 :

    I’ve to visit my brother-in-law in the hospital daily! Can you imagine how scary that is but life has to go on.

    12. 12
  12. Jaime

    May 1st, 2009 :

    haven’t really changed much.

    13. 13
  13. Jennifer

    May 1st, 2009 :

    Absolutely nothing has changed here.

    14. 14
  14. diana

    May 1st, 2009 :

    no, i’m not avoiding any of those places…. yet! if it ends up that this thing gets worse and we’re advised by the medical community to avoid public interaction, i will.

    i have a trip planned for washington dc mid may. i’m not worried if things stay the way they are now. but i’ll be watching to see how bad this epidemic gets.

    15. 15
  15. sues2u2

    May 1st, 2009 :

    Well, I live 5 – 10 miles (depending on the direction) from the US/Mex border & while we're washing our hands more & trying to avoid people coughing & sneezing (hard since it's major allergy season here) our plans have done very little changing.

    And yes, Biden was correct in saying it but I am a little surprised that he came out & said it so boldly when Obama tried to play it down.

    16. 16
  16. Carol

    May 1st, 2009 :

    I work in a feed mill, where the guys are making thousands of pounds of swine feed daily..I’m around hog farmers, etc. and I’m not really giving into all the hype!

    It’s nonsense!!

    17. 17
  17. Kim

    May 1st, 2009 :

    In my personal opinion, there is way too much hype on this swine flu. I’m taking all the same precautions that I take during typical cold/flu season. My Aloha Friday

    18. 18
  18. One Anxious Mommy

    May 1st, 2009 :

    Haven’t done anything different. Don’t think I will change much other than just keeping extra vigilant about clean hands!

    19. 19
  19. pam

    May 1st, 2009 :

    I do have an appointment at the hospital on Monday morning, and I have toyed with the thought of canceling, because after all that is where the sick people are. I have told the older kids about it, and stressed the importance of hand washing.

    20. 20
  20. Supernova

    May 1st, 2009 :

    there is nothing changes here in our state as well..

    21. 21
  21. Angels

    May 1st, 2009 :

    i just hope that it will soon be prevented and stopped this spreading of the virus/flu

    22. 22
  22. Together We Save

    May 1st, 2009 :

    We are hand santizer crazy but other than that our lives are going on pretty normal.

    I am aware though. 2 cases reported in my state today.

    23. 23
  23. Erin @ Closing Time

    May 1st, 2009 :

    We have not changed anything yet, but are doing common sense things such as washing hands, etc. I always do this anyway and carry hand sanitizer. No cases yet in my state, but I am watching the news carefully for this. We homeschool, so don’t have the school issue to consider.

    24. 24
  24. itsahumanzoo

    May 1st, 2009 :

    Nope. It’s just the flu. A different type of flu, but still a flu. I am doing all the things I normally do to keep my kids healthy, and that’s all I really can do. I don’t want to be confined to our tiny apartment. :)
    My Aloha Friday

    25. 25
  25. Proud to be Me,a wife to a hardworking husband, a mom to 2 wonderful kiddos and 2 LARGE "puppy" dogs..

    May 1st, 2009 :

    Hi There! New to your blog and so far I love it! To answer your question I think he had a point, and for a little while I was a bit scared since I live in Southern AZ very close to the border, but I am glad to say that the only thing I do differently is use my anti-bacterial hand lotion 2 more times a day when I leave the house and go anywhere :) . I don’t want to live in fear anymore than I already do..lol..Have a happy hippy Friday!!

    Mesa-a fellow hippy at heart :)

    26. 26
  26. Christy

    May 1st, 2009 :

    Nope…haven’t changed our schedule at all…not that we participate in those things anyway. I think that people should be cautious but not paranoid.

    27. 27
  27. CandiceR

    May 1st, 2009 :

    I have been a little nervous going out in public places. The hype is getting to me- I’m a worry wart as it is- and my daughter is sick with a cough, sore throat and runny nose so we’re staying in until she gets better

    28. 28
  28. AudreyO

    May 1st, 2009 :

    Wash your hands over and over and over. I have not yet changed my routine.

    29. 29
  29. Pamela Kramer

    May 1st, 2009 :

    I haven’t changed my routine but I am making sure all hands are clean and there is Lysol in the house.

    30. 30
  30. Jenny

    May 1st, 2009 :

    I like how Biden tells it like he sees it, it’s not the popular thing to do and sometimes it’s hilarious.

    However, he is right. Being confined in an aircraft with people who have traveled who knows where, is a pretty good way to get sick.

    31. 31
  31. Betty

    May 2nd, 2009 :

    I haven’t done anything differently. :)

    32. 32
  32. Scribbit

    May 3rd, 2009 :

    I think it’s been all overblown though I do think the chances of something coming along that truly does cause mass infection is realistic. It’s good to take this as a test run.

    33. 33
  33. Kat

    May 16th, 2009 :

    Well, our town doesn’t have public transportation, but we went about it in the entire other direction. We went to DisneyWorld, hoping to dodge long non-swineflu lines. No such luck-My 6 yr old cried through the 80 minute line for Splash mtn, rode the 5 minute ride, then got off, hands in the air, “Who’s up for round two?!” Ack.