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Get A Grippe
 Posted
10/28/2009 12:00:00 AM
Come April when flu season is as distant a memory as the first Leaf win of the season and Toronto prepares to pick another team to cheer through the playoffs, we'll be cringing at some of the response to the H1N1 crisis or, as I'll call it now, SARS 2.
This is getting ridiculous. The death of the 13 year old all-Canadian hockey player in Etobicoke seems to have kicked the cork out of the bottle. Now the papers are interviewing Jason Blake about the family's loss. And never mind the sudden need to list the B and C level NHL players who've been diagnosed. Now we need our sports reports to lead with the butcher's bill? How many times over the years have we been told a player didn't dress because of the flu? Get a grip. Or grippe.
Overheated parents have been overwhelming the Sick Kids ER this week with overheated babies and toddlers. Understandable only if you consider how completely stupid some people are behaving. "You can't be too careful" is the standard reply except the answer is yes, you can. If you're child is not having trouble breathing, his or her lips are still a rosy pink and it appears that, well, kids can spike a temperature if the lights are too bright, I'd hate to be the parent with a diabetic kid in distress arriving at an ER filled with little ones who need a shot of liquid Tylenol and a good sleep.
There's hardly an Internet site without a comments section that doesn't devolve into a fight over swine flu. YouTube is filled with "citizen journalists" doing a standup on why you should/shouldn't get vaccinated. There's one particularly gormless Toronto radio bulletin board where 65% of the posts are routinely filled with obits of radio greatness gone to the great beyond. It has managed to fit in some very informed discussion about the flu shot. These opinions, remember, are from men and women more suited to playing a "double shot, bonus track six-pack of your music at work" than providing a history of immunology.
Not one of these YouTube, Facebook or radio idiots could tell you who Edward Jenner was.
And more nonsense today from our government leaders...more idiocy at the federal level over a Liberal pamphlet with body bags and a crying baby meant for the aboriginal community. Apologies and grovelling to the First Nations as required. Okay: First Nations...appreciate tradition and all but get into this century. Talking about death doesn't "invite it". Lack of preparation invites death. Grow up and stop being victimized. And to the parties, NDP, Liberal and Conservative: may each and every one of you who would use this panic to your political advantage may you develop something that turns your insides to liquid so when you next address the House all that is heard is the evacuation of your vicera on the Commons floor.
Now enjoy the fall weather.
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Mike Stafford
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Mike,
Great show and you hit the nail right dead centre on the head.
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Posted By
Grant
On
10/30/2009 10:26:09 AM
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Mike...as always, many thanks for somehow managing to creep into my mind and rip out the thoughts that run through it (although in a much less comprehendable fashion). When are you going to get out of a thankless radio business and run for God so all can appreciate your common sense? You've got my vote, brother!
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Posted By
Dave
On
10/29/2009 12:59:27 PM
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Look out suburban hospitals here come the soccer moms who know more than doctors
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Posted By
Walter Preston
On
10/29/2009 12:04:15 PM
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