THE COMMON GROUND COFFEE HOUSE #26

[dianetavegia]

Hey Gib, Georgia has been raised to the highest level of alert. In fact, nationally last week 7.0% of all deaths was blamed on the flu. 7.6% is proclaimed an epidemic!

Georgia's flu activity has been upgraded to widespread -- the nation's highest flu outbreak level -- and most of the state is reporting flu activity, state health officials said Tuesday. Meanwhile, Medical College of Georgia officials held a news conference in Augusta on Tuesday to educate the public about the flu.

"What we are trying to let folks in the Augusta area know is that flu is a bad bug but it does not appear to be worse in severity (than previous flu seasons), although it does appear to be worse in terms of overall numbers of people getting infected," said Dr. James Wilde of the medical college.

The flu is most dangerous to high-risk groups, such as the elderly, infants between 6 months and 23 months and those with chronic medical conditions. It kills about 36,000 people yearly, although 90 percent of flu deaths are among the elderly.

Augusta-area schools reported absentee rates as high as 25 percent during last flu season's peak. This year the schools are only reporting up to 6 percent absenteeism.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: 12/17/03

Georgia's flu activity upgraded to 'widespread'

The Associated Press

 

[Dr. Bob]

Boy Howdy and Morning to all the cyber-family. Good to see life is "normal" for all of us this Christmas, in a dysfunctional sort of way.

We are STILL looking for grandbaby 7. Due Dec 2nd and now they have to do something soon. Daughter-in-laws mother arrived to help with the children and we THINK they will start some artificial stimulus to get the baby "moving" by Thursday night or Friday morning.

So if I "disappear" from the BB for a bit, you can assume we are zipping to Buffalo!

 

[I Am Blessed 24]

Good Afternoon All!

I am still busy baking. I am making turtles now, (with chocolate, pecans and caramels). They look more like lumps than this picture, but they will still taste good!

Will be busy the rest of the afternoon and evening, so I may not get back on the board until tomorrow morning.

Try to be good while I'm away.

§ue

 

[dianetavegia]

Dr. Bob, how goes the Chicken-pox at their home? All scabs by now? Sounds like the Lord is working His wonders and keeping this baby safe inside his mom until it's safe to come home.

That being said.... I'm being overly cautious of this flu. Four children have died in Georgia from the flu in the last few days and one is ill with the antibiotic resistant staph that kills most patients when it enters the lungs. What really irks me is that our 27 year old refused to get a flu shot, works in a sheet metal plant and is around a lot of 'workers' who come in to pick up gutter, etc... and he smokes. We have tried explaining that he could kill his dad if he brings home the flu but he's got some excuse or another about not getting it. Argh....

Anyone else very concerned?

Diane

 

[Dr. Bob]

It was NOT chicken pox per se. It was "Foot/Hand/Throat" disease (something evil virus that I don't recall - something coxi if that makes sense) for humans like "Hoof & Mouth" disease for cattle.

Same contagion. Same sores. Ugh. Tancy's mom is there and the kids are doing better after some high fever and sores for 10 days! The neighboring kids there came down with full Chicken Pox but the MD said what ours had was NOT as severe.

Wife just called to let me know her staff cleared Friday's appointments, so we will probably head out early that morning, Lord and road-conditions willing.

Will keep all posted. Appreciate your prayers.

 

[following-Him]

Hello everyone,

We are back. We have had a lovely time, but it is good to be back home.

How are you all and what have you all been up to? I will have a scout round the board and do a bit of catching up.

Thank you to all those I have received Christmas cards from. They were lovely to come home to.

Blessings

Sheila

 

[dianetavegia]

Ah our granddaughter had that when baby Kaylee was born and other than a good washing after diaper changes, etc. the doctor felt there was no threat.

hand-foot-mouth disease
This is one of the select group of viral infections that is so characteristic in its appearance that it can just about be diagnosed over the telephone. There may or may not be some fever, but there is always a rash that appears very characteristically on the palms and soles: it appears as a whitish or creamy colored flat area surrounded by a border of red skin, perhaps 1/16 to 1/8 inch in diameter. There will be several of these areas on the palms and soles. There may be similar lesions in the mouth or on the tongue (stomatitis). Also, red dots may appear on the body, especially the buttocks and the back of the thighs. It lasts maybe a week; the incubation is 3-6 days. There is of course no treatment - it's a virus. It is not a big deal illness.

It is, by the way, caused by one of the large family of Herpes-like viruses called Coxsackie virus. This explains the similarity of the mouth ulcers to other Herpes-type infections.

No relation to bovine hoof-and-mouth disease.

That is good news. We'll include safe travels when we pray each night for 'Dr. Bob's feet' as Nick always terms it.

Welcome Home Sheila!

Diane

 

[Thankful]

Try to be good while I'm away.

Sue, that's no fun

Hi followinghim, Diane, and Dr. Bob.

It has been one of those days when it seems that I have not accomplished a lot, but been busy doing various things.

Time to prepare supper and turn on the Christmas Lights to welcome my husband home.

Diane, I don't take flu shots either. I am allergic to eggs. I can eat things with eggs in them, but not straight eggs and I really like them.

Got to go.

 

[Dr. Bob]

No signs of flu in our area, but every day folks are coming into the clinic so sick they should have STAYED HOME!

Amazed that my wife doesn't get sick every week with all that exposure. And with the baby coming, we want to STAY in good health so we can see the little bambino!

Made a crock of chili tonight with a bowl as our "soup" course. Nice greens for a salad. And have some Mahi-Mahi (think: Flipper) fillets ready to put on the George Foreman grill along with a blend of vegies to grills, too.

You'd pay big bucks to eat at Bob's Kitchen!

 

[dianetavegia]

At the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dr. Jane Siegel said an otherwise healthy teenager was among three young flu deaths there this season. After getting the flu, he developed a severe bacterial infection, which is typically how the flu leads to death.

The hospital has treated 618 children with flu over the past two months, compared with 95 for the entire last season. Of these, more than a third were admitted to the hospital, and 5 percent were in intensive care.

In just one 12-hour period this week at Le Bonheur Children's Medical Center in Memphis, 350 children with flu symptoms walked into the emergency department while 50 more came by ambulance and seven arrived in helicopters.

A 5 year old girl died tonight in Atlanta but no other details have been released. I would think schools should go ahead and close for the holidays and people should forget about day care centers for awhile if they can!

Thing is, the flu could KILL Sue, my Jim, Gib and a lot of others! This is going to sound awful but we've already decided that until we really know what's going on with this flu, Jim and Nick won't be going to church. I have to go because of the classes I teach but we've sent out fliers telling parents to NOT bring any child who is sick or seems to be coming down with something! I can at least scrub up before coming home and try to keep myself well.

Two of my grandbabies are getting flu shots tomorrow and the 3 year old is on a waiting list. None of my adult children or their spouses got flu shots.

http://www.fluwatch.com/index2.html

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/

 

[dianetavegia]

I just got an email from one of our deacons and dentist in town. His first cousin lost her 2 year old to the flu... in N.C. This is so awful!

I'm praying for this awful epidemic to be stopped and sure hope you'd all join me before we lose more children!

Diane

 

[Dr. Bob]

That is so sad. Children and elderly are vulnerable.

Nothing like the big influenza epidemic during the Great War. We'll have to ask Jim about that. Think he fought in the trenches at the Somme in '16.

 

[Dr. Bob]

Turning in early, with a big day tomorrow. Have to do all the Friday work, too, as we PRAY we will be headin' out to see a new grandbaby.

BTW, we don't know the gender, but when it's THIS LATE it HAS to be a girl!

 

[following-Him]

Hello everyone,

It is very quiet in here this morning. I hope you are all ok.

Sheila

 

[dianetavegia]

We prayed for safe travels for you and Dr. Mrs. Dr. last night but will keep you in our prayers during the day too. AND... if it's like MY house, late means it's a boy. I can't tell you how many weeks we take separate cars to church so I won't be late for Sunday School lol.

Good morning all! Sue has a bunch of family coming in for a holiday visit. I can't remember if she said today or tomorrow but I know she's baking and preparing.

Good to see you back Sheila. When does school shut down for the long holiday?

Where oh Where has Barnabas been? I'm wondering if he has to do extra in his work during the winter months. Praying he's okay!

Diane

 

[Dan Todd]

Sheila - I'm glad you had a good time! I'm glad you are back posting!

I teased a lot of people while you were gone - and learned how to post graphics!


Fun - Fun - Fun!

Dan

 

[dianetavegia]

Well, I think I've done all there is to do for Christmas except buy the turkey and cook the actual meal. We eat our big meal on Christmas afternoon but some eat it on Christmas Eve. Which do YOU do?

...................

My presents all are wrapped. The ones that had to be mailed are even under their respective trees... so now I just have to keep this almost 9 year old entertained and out of the presents for 6 more day! Can you believe it??

Diane

 

[Dr. Bob]

Boy Howdy, all, from chilly Wyoming. 18F on the way to 42F today, no wind and high thin clouds.

Lots of UNHAPPY people in our neck-o-the-woods, as some tree hugging, granola-eating liberal judge appointed by Slick Willy said that the new plan for snowmobiles in Wyoming is B-A-D.

Grrr. Everyone just changed over from the polluting-type 2 cycle machines to quieter and environmental-friendly snomobiles. NOW they say the old Clinton plan was best and eliminate them ALL from parks/forests (which is 1/3 of Wyoming).

Cannot envision the damage to the economy from such a reversal. There has to be a point where we are "good stewards" but still "live on mother earth" and not worship her.

I'm upset.

 

[I Am Blessed 24]

Hi All!

Sheila: Glad you're back - missed you! How was the Chunnel?

Diane: WE got the snow YOU wanted! I wish I could pack a snowball in dry ice and send it to you.

Two daughters and seven grands will be here tomorrow. I can hardly wait. Haven't seen Shawna (youngest daughter) since Easter!

It has been a busy, busy week of cooking and baking and still not done.

Youngest daughter said NOT to make the sugar cookies until she got here so the grands could help decorate them. Okie dokie...green reindeer and red Christmas trees. I will take a picture of us around the table decorating.

Making chocolate covered pretzels today. Not a hard job - just takes time...

Former Governor George Ryan was indicted on 11 counts by a federal grand jury yesterday. Woo hoo! Best news since Saddam was captured. Now I know why he issued a BLANKET PARDON to all those prisoners right before his term ended...he wanted them to like him when he was incarcerated!

§ue

 

[Dr. Bob]

Originally posted by I Am Blessed 16:
Making chocolate covered pretzels today. Not a hard job - just takes time.

Sue - if you need some help TASTING them to be sure they are quality for the grandkids, please let me know. Although I'm an "Official Cookie Tester", I think my expertise could cover chocolate pretzels, too.