Strategy On Flu Under Revision

Source: Washington Post

The Obama administration is finalizing guidelines that would scale back when the federal government recommends closing schools in response to the swine flu pandemic, several people involved in the deliberations said Monday.

More targeted guidance would mark a change in the government's approach from this spring, when health officials suggested that schools shut down at the first sign of the H1N1 virus. They later relaxed that advice.

This fall, federal authorities would recommend closures only under "extenuating circumstances," such as if a campus has many children with underlying medical conditions, a senior U.S. health official involved in the talks said. The official added that discussions are continuing and that no decision has been made.

Schools also might be advised to close if many students or staff members are already sick or otherwise absent, officials said.

The framework is to try to keep schools open to the extent possible," the senior health official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because the White House has not completed its review of the issue.


Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/08/03/AR2009080303037.html?hpid=topnews

...this signals that officials are thinking that the swine flu isn't as dangerous as
they once thought.

Yes, of course--with any flu, there is reason for concern. That's true with any year.

When swine flu first emerged, any sign of it justified closing an entire school. Now we hear
that this is no longer the case. Now, guidelines have been relaxed.

If this was the Ebola virus--we sure would see entire schools shutting down with one case.

I think this is good news--as far as indications that this swine flu may not be as insidious
and lethal as we previously thought (or were led to believe).

yeah, this is nothing like Ebola virus, on many levels. i think the main emphasis should be on just staying home if you are sick, except to go to the doctor's. i think that will seriously decrease risk.