Schooling the Swine
Meanwhile, illness and hospitalization from the H1N1 flu continues to spread in the county. Last week, Humboldt County suffered its third fatality from the disease. In this case, the woman who died — her name was not released — was in her mid-50s, and did not belong to any of the high risk groups outlined by the CDC.
Humboldt State, which saw a spate of infections as school was beginning a few weeks ago, continues to be affected by the disease. “There were several students that were taken to the hospital over the weekend,” said HSU President Rollin Richmond Monday. The students’ flu-like symptoms had not been definitively tied to the H1N1 virus, but according to Frank Whitlatch, the university’s associate vice president of marketing and communications, the operating assumption is that cases of the flu, in this area and at this time, are most likely cases of swine flu.
Many in the county still view vaccination warily. Historically, vaccination rates for all sorts of maladies have lagged the rest of the state and the nation. But while vaccination is seen as a central tool in the battle against the flu in Humboldt County, it’s far from the only one. Kimberly Comet, risk manager for the Humboldt County Office of Education, said Tuesday afternoon that her agency — like most — is also heavily promoting common-sense strategies for containing the disease.
“Vaccination is only one part of combating the flu,” Comet said. “What we really want to put the emphasis on is good hygiene. Cover your cough, wash your hands well and really stay home if you’re sick. That’s the emphasis we’re really trying to push.”
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Today
44th Annual Kinetic Grand Championship Race
STAFF PICK / events, art, outdoors, sports, for kids, free / 9 a.m.-6 p.m. A 3-day, 42-mile kinetic sculpture race over land, sand, mud and water! LeMans start at the Noon Whistle on the Arcata Plaza. Follow the race through Manila, Eureka and into Ferndale on Memorial Day for the Glorious Finish. kineticgrandchampionship.com. 889-3024.
Flow 2012 Fashion Show
STAFF PICK / events / 8 p.m. Arcata Theatre Lounge, 1036 G St. Student designed and produced clothing. Fundraiser for Arcata Arts Institute. $35/$25 students. artsinstitute.net. 822-1220.
Woodside Preschool's Rummage/Bake Sale
events / 8 a.m.-noon. Woodside Preschool, 900 Hodgson St, Eureka. www.woodsidepreschool.com. 445-9132.
Lanphere Dunes Restoration
STAFF PICK / outdoors / 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Meet at Pacific Union School. Help remove non-native invasives at the Lanphere Dunes Unit of the Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Tools and gloves provided, wear work clothes and bring water. Carpool to the protected site. 444-1397.
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ONE Comments
Comment / By unanonymous / Nov. 5, 2009, 6:03 p.m.
nasal vaccine has live attenuated (weakened) virus, don’t take it if you have compromised immune system.
some shots contain small amounts of mercury preservative (24.5 mcg), some don’t.
If you are concerned, look for one-dose, pre-loaded syringes without mercury. Bottles that contain multiple shots to fill multiple syringes contain mercury.
info on shots is at site below about halfway down page, Four Swine Flu Vaccines Approved by FDA.: http://www.askdrsears.com/thevaccinebook/