What are people in Poland REALLY saying about 'swine flu'?

krysia:

all masks are gone in aptekas, that's a sign of panic. But where did they all go? Don't see too many people walking with masks because it looks dumb and Poles are always concerned with how they look. I think they are panicking on the inside but don't show it on the outside.

PolskaDollThreads: 44 Posts: 4,134 Joined: Jun 15, 07	Nov 8, 09, 17:41 / #
I've read bits in the media the last few days regarding 'swine flu' in Poland and, if the media were to be believed, Poland is panicking about it, mostly because of the surging cases of a 'flu-like' virus in Ukraine. The trouble is, a lot of what is written is media hype. So what are people in Poland really saying about swine flu? Is it talked about much in homes, in the street, in pubs and cafes? Is it on the news often? Are some people panicking about it? Or is that all media hype? I have a Polish friend here who is a journalist and even he thinks the media have gone wild with it. Any thoughts?

ArienThreads: 6 Posts: 1,604 Joined: Oct 20, 08	Nov 8, 09, 17:49 / #
PolskaDoll: I have a Polish friend here who is a journalist and even he thinks the media have gone wild with it. Well, your friend is right. :)

PolskaDollThreads: 44 Posts: 4,134 Joined: Jun 15, 07	Nov 8, 09, 18:01 / #
Thanks for the chuckle TM :-) Arien: Well, your friend is right. I'm not surprised because this is what the media do best, take something and blow it out of proportion. ;) Therefore I assume that Poland is not close to swine flu panic just yet? ;)

time meansThreads: 9 Posts: 2,306 Joined: Apr 21, 08	Nov 8, 09, 18:04 / #
PolskaDoll: this is what the media do best, take something and blow it out of proportion. ;) Bang on Pd!

frdThreads: 8 Posts: 1,956 Joined: Feb 3, 09	Nov 8, 09, 18:13 / #
Some people are panicking but mostely not because of the media hype but rather because of the fact that government stays silent about it, the number of stored medicine is "Secret" - which is a different way of saying "we don't have any", it'd be all ok if we were well-stocked but we ain't. Most of my friends don't pay much attention to the news but they are pretty pissed off with the healthcare minister Ewa Kopacz.

ArienThreads: 6 Posts: 1,604 Joined: Oct 20, 08	Nov 8, 09, 18:20 / #
PolskaDoll: I'm not surprised because this is what the media do best, take something and blow it out of proportion. ;) Sounds girly. ;P

PolskaDollThreads: 44 Posts: 4,134 Joined: Jun 15, 07	Nov 8, 09, 20:07 / #
frd: that government stays silent about it It's things like that which cause more panic about things. The government should be open and say they have little but are sourcing more, if that is indeed what they are doing. It seems like if there will be panic in Poland it'll be caused by media and the government. Arien: Sounds girly. Behave. ;)

CrowThreads: 367 Posts: 7,316 Joined: Feb 14, 07 [Suspended]	Edited by: Crow Nov 9, 09, 00:15 / #
Nov 9, 09, 00:19 - Thread attached on merging: What`s with H1N1 flu in Poland ? any news on H1N1 in Poland? Serbia is on the edge to declare state of epidemy and extraordinary situation. This is serious. People dying

southernThreads: 116 Posts: 10,948 Joined: May 17, 07	Nov 9, 09, 00:24 / #
It is better to avoid pigs who cough and sneeze.

SeanBMThreads: 41 Posts: 8,726 Joined: Mar 10, 08	Nov 9, 09, 00:44 / #
PolskaDoll: What are people in Poland REALLY saying about 'swine flu'? Hrum Hrum.

ArienThreads: 6 Posts: 1,604 Joined: Oct 20, 08	Nov 9, 09, 01:57 / #
PolskaDoll: I'm interested to know what the ordinary person on the Polish street is thinking about swine flu. I'll ask around if no one here manages to satisfy your curiousity. (It so happens to be that a lot of ordinary Polish people live and work in my area, about 40.000!) I bet they're going to say the same though! :)

osiolThreads: 59 Posts: 4,714 Joined: Jul 25, 07	Nov 9, 09, 02:15 / #
Why is it Swine Flu and not Piggy Cold?

beckskiThreads: 19 Posts: 2,148 Joined: May 15, 07 MEMBER	Nov 9, 09, 02:18 / #
osiol: Why is it Swine Flu and not Piggy Cold? I refer to it as oinky oinky flu. It doesn't sound as ugly, although the flu can be deadly. A sincere thanks PF, for putting up with me FIVE terrific years, muah!

PolskaDollThreads: 44 Posts: 4,134 Joined: Jun 15, 07	Nov 9, 09, 02:59 / #
SeanBM: Ah, to be honest I do not pay attention to it or at least I try not to. That's my thought. I don't think many are paying attention to it but if you look at the media Poland is in a state of alarm. SeanBM: There are no masks in the aptekas (pharmacies) here in Poland, is the last I couldn't help hearing. Would you wear them if there were? I'd be surprised if pharmacies began stocking them suddenly. Why not stock them during normal flu season if that was the case? SeanBM: Is that a nice way of saying they are hypochondriacs? :) Haha :) No. I just feel that they will deal with an ache or a pain or something that isn't right rather than just assuming it will go away. Better to know that it's nothing than just assume it. osiol: Why is it Swine Flu and not Piggy Cold? I've heard it called Piggy Flu and seen it on tabloids in their headlines referred to as that. Couldn't be called 'cold' though as it is a flu virus. beckski: I refer to it as oinky oinky flu. It doesn't sound as ugly, although the flu can be deadly. :) That makes it cuter. ;) You have hit the nail on the head though. Flu can be deadly, so why the media hype about a different strain of it?

PolskaDollThreads: 44 Posts: 4,134 Joined: Jun 15, 07	Nov 9, 09, 01:53 / #
SeanBM: Hrum Hrum. Sounds like you have a severe case. I'm interested to know what the ordinary person on the Polish street is thinking about swine flu.

PolskaDollThreads: 44 Posts: 4,134 Joined: Jun 15, 07	Nov 9, 09, 02:01 / #
Thank Arien. :) I suspect that no-one is saying much of anything about it and, as I said before, it's all media hype. A lot of the Polish people I know are thorough about their health and really look after themselves so I wondered how this "threat" of swine flu was going down in PL.

SeanBMThreads: 41 Posts: 8,726 Joined: Mar 10, 08	Nov 9, 09, 02:12 / #
PolskaDoll: I'm interested to know what the ordinary person on the Polish street is thinking about swine flu. Ah, to be honest I do not pay attention to it or at least I try not to. There are no masks in the aptekas (pharmacies) here in Poland, is the last I couldn't help hearing. PolskaDoll: A lot of the Polish people I know are thorough about their health and really look after themselves Is that a nice way of saying they are hypochondriacs? :)

Mr GrunwaldThreads: 34 Posts: 2,358 Joined: Dec 16, 08	Nov 9, 09, 03:18 / #
PolskaDoll: but if you look at the media Poland is in a state of alarm. Talking about something all the time Stressingly saying it Yelling to the screen that we are in danger wich of them indicates that Poland is in state of alarm? Last time I saw something close to it was this

CrowThreads: 367 Posts: 7,316 Joined: Feb 14, 07 [Suspended]	Edited by: Crow Nov 9, 09, 11:27 / #
southern: It is better to avoid pigs who cough and sneeze. i`m curious what Muslim doctor says to pacient with a swine flu? It must be very dramatic situation.

jwojcieThreads: 3 Posts: 816 Joined: Jan 3, 09	Edited by: jwojcie Nov 9, 09, 11:53 / #
"What swine flu" ?... That is what are saying people in my circles. Either it is not here yet or it is like ordinary flu. In fact so far most of evidence are that it is like ordinary flu... We have ordinary flu every year, so what is the point to panic? Personally I've took vaccine against ordinary flu (typical, every year in my job free choice vaccination). It is quite typical in Poland so maybe there is less of typical flu here so there is much less fuss about A/H1N1 cases. It seems that this entire fuss in Ukraine is because ordinary flu hit much of population there. About goverment I've mixed feelings, because on the one hand, if there is a possibility of epidemic they should by this vaccine, on the other hand if pharmaceutical companies refuse to take responsibility for side effects then I think that something is very not ok with this new vaccines. Personally I wouldn't take it, especially when it looks like this flu when treated properly is like every other flu. I even started to believe that part of this media hype is pharmaceutical lobbing.

southernThreads: 116 Posts: 10,948 Joined: May 17, 07	Edited by: southern Nov 9, 09, 11:58 / #
North Korea is protected by swine flu because it is practically in carantine. Except south Koreans let their swines overflow the north.

jwojcieThreads: 3 Posts: 816 Joined: Jan 3, 09	Edited by: jwojcie Nov 9, 09, 12:41 / #
Some interesting statistics (sources: newspapers, internet, so maybe not credible enough): "Some independent health experts have been advising vaccination after a recent surge in flu cases in neighbouring Ukraine saw more than 700,000 cases and 109 deaths of people with flu-like illness in recent weeks. Fourteen of the fatalities were swine flu cases, Polish news agency PAP reported, citing Ukraine's chief doctor Oleksandr Bilovol." "700,000 cases and 109 deaths of people with flu-like illness" = 0.000015 chance to die from it...." To put it into perspective, chance that someone will die from flu is similar to chance to die from car accident in Poland... Today news from Ukraine are: - 969247 -> possible flu cases (not only A/H1N1) - 155 deaths so chance to die from it still not to high...

southernThreads: 116 Posts: 10,948 Joined: May 17, 07	Edited by: southern Nov 9, 09, 12:50 / #
Crow: i`m curious what Muslim doctor says to pacient with a swine flu? He will maybe advise him not to make sex with his swines.(only goats as suggested).

niejestemcapitaThreads: 3 Posts: 666 Joined: Jan 3, 09	Nov 9, 09, 12:55 / #
Q> How do you know if you have Swine Flu? A. You blow your nose and a slice of bacon comes out!!

krysiaThreads: 26 Posts: 3,604 Joined: Aug 10, 06	Nov 9, 09, 13:39 / #
If all masks are gone in aptekas, that's a sign of panic. But where did they all go? Don't see too many people walking with masks because it looks dumb and Poles are always concerned with how they look. I think they are panicking on the inside but don't show it on the outside.

ShawnHThreads: 9 Posts: 3,056 Joined: Jul 2, 09	Edited by: ShawnH Nov 9, 09, 13:43 / #
krysia: But where did they all go? The (Jews/Russians/Germans/NigerianScammers/PakistaniNationalsInSearchOfPo lishWives) have taken them all in a plot to join the New World Order.

mafketisThreads: 17 Posts: 1,880 Joined: Mar 31, 08	Nov 9, 09, 14:13 / #
I don't think anyone is panicking. Polish people are not generally the panicking kind. I remember no one in Poland was worried about Y2K (rightly enough). The media have been doing their best to make everyone afraid, but I don't think it's working so far. I have to say that for once, and to my absolute amazement, I agree with Kopacz. There's no real reason for Poland to spend a lot of money it can't afford for supposed vaccine(s) that is/are undertested, and of dubious value in actually preventing anything. This flu has a much, much lower mortality rate than regular seasonal flu (and seems most dangerous for those with pre-existing conditions).

gumishuThreads: 17 Posts: 3,943 Joined: Apr 6, 09	Edited by: gumishu Nov 9, 09, 16:11 / #
krysia: If all masks are gone in aptekas, that's a sign of panic. that is a sing of Poles being precaucious - most must have bought some masks just in case mafketis: I have to say that for once, and to my absolute amazement, I agree with Kopacz. There's no real reason for Poland to spend a lot of money it can't afford for supposed vaccine(s) that is/are undertested, and of dubious value in actually preventing anything. well, must be the first time I agree with the lady, too

GaaThreads: 2 Posts: 179 Joined: Oct 26, 09	Nov 9, 09, 17:42 / #
krysia: all masks are gone in aptekas, that's a sign of panic. But where did they all go? Don't see too many people walking with masks because it looks dumb and Poles are always concerned with how they look. I think they are panicking on the inside but don't show it on the outside. it's funny because the masks are useless after 15 minutes. it's unjustified panic. some of the aptekas didn't have masks at all or had very few so i doubt millions of masks were sold out. i live 2h from ukrainian border and haven't seen yet a person with a mask. and i'm not going to get one! every year thousands of people go down with flu in Poland. as my grandpa would say: EAT GARLIC ,PEOPLE!! and nettle:P