More swine flu positives in the UK

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-wellbeing/health-news/three-more-uk-cases-of-swine-flu-1676569.html

After confirming five swine flu patients, the Department of Health added three more cases making it a total of eight people affected with swine flu in the UK. Six patients are from England and two are from Scotland. Apart from these, there were also 230 possible cases being investigated. All victims traveled from Mexico, where the disease originated. The three victims are being treated at their homes. While other people who came into contact with them were being offered anti-virals by the DH. To further prevent the disease from spreading, health authorities advised the public to use tissues, dispose of them properly and wash their hands regularly. Prime Minister Gordon Brown assured the public that there are plenty of medical supplies and the government is ready since they have been prepared for something like this for a long time. PM Gordon's assurance is supported by Professor Sir Liam Donaldson, the Government's Chief Medical Officer. He said he is expecting many more cases but is confident that the government will be able to handle it.

Reaction

This swine flu outbreak reminded me of SARS epidemic in 2002 that lasted for two years. Hopefully, this swine flu will be prevented quickly and the deaths caused by it will be stopped as soon as possible, especially in Mexico where people are not only troubled with deaths but also with economic downturn. Because of the outbreak, which is on the brink of becoming pandemic, restaurants, bars and cafes are closed. Locals and tourists are almost nowhere to be seen. This definitely hurts people's income. So it is either they die of swine flu or of hunger. In the UK, it is good that the government is prepared and that there are medical supplies ready. However, why do they wait for an outbreak to happen before launching a simple public health campaign of washing hands, using tissues and making medical supplies available to the people? I hope that the WHO will call on rich countries to give all possible medical and economic support to Mexico and other affected poor countries to combat the swine flu outbreak.

Old School Fashion

Sunday, April 19, 2009
http://www.independent.co.uk/student/student-life/fashion/oldschool-fashion-1659767.html

SUMMARY
High fashion vintage is no longer for the elite only. Cow and Bang Bang Vintage, two of the popular vintage specialized stores, opened their branches in Sheffield city centre two years ago to offer affordable, unique vintage clothing and accessories especially for the hard up students. Both stores organized different activities to entice students to patronize their products. Cow organized a student lock-in at all their three stores in the Sheffield, Birmingham and Nottingham with an after-party event while Bang Bang Vintage offered discounts and up-and-coming designers’ collections. Students were also offered various fashion shows, clothes swaps and fairs. Furthermore, different vintage fairs have been organized in student avenues and unions selling reasonably priced vintage items, offering style advice and repair of clothes. With these offers at hand, students can wear high fashion vintage anytime they want.

REACTION
It is nice to read good news like this. Particularly in this belt-tightening times, students are less likely to spend money on expensive fashionable vintage clothing and accessories. I like the stores’ idea of not only providing stylish, trendy and less pricy garments and accessories to the students but also organizing vintage fairs and clothing swap activities. Surely, they will attract more students and young professionals. Of course, behind the idea is also to generate profit but nevertheless, there are few stores that work on a concept of going vintage in an affordable way. I wish I could go to Sheffield. Perhaps I will find there the vintage bag I want. I’m not really into vintage but I like vintage bags, especially old leather messenger bags. It’s a pity there are no stores like that here in the Netherlands, or at least none that I know of.

GP’s “are failing depressed patients”

Sunday, April 19, 2009
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-wellbeing/health-news/gps-are-failing-depressed-patients-1671060.html

SUMMARY
People suffering from depression are unaware of the treatment they get. This is the result of the study entitled Daring to Choose conducted by the charity Depression Alliance. According to the group, out of 513 people they asked, only a third of them have been informed about anti-depressants as a choice, while 70 percent know little information about the side effects of the drug. The study also shows that GP’s (General Practitioners) fail to adhere to guidelines created by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (Nice) on the proper use of anti-depressants, treatments and counseling groups. Thus, the Alliance is campaigning to make depression as a public health issue a government’ priority. They are also calling on NHS officials to make the medical and non-medical services available to people. Furthermore, the Alliance chief executive, Emer O’Neill, said that often people with depression go home after consulting their GP’s with no other choices but the prescribed anti-depressants. On the government’s side, there are efforts to address the issue but some experts are critical about it. Manual laborer, Alasdiar Mackenzie, shared that when he had a serious breakdown he was told by his supportive GP that he could not rely to NHS. Fortunately, he had money to seek private medical help.

REACTION

I thought in a country like the United Kingdom where health care is advanced, depression is being taken as a serious mental illness. But I was wrong. It is outrageous that GP’s and the NHS do not provide choices and proper medical treatment to people suffering from depression. It is sad that people like Mackenzie had to pay a private therapist because NHS is not reliable and GP’s often fail them. What if people with depression have no means to undergo private therapy sessions? Luckily, there is a group like the Depression Alliance initiating a campaign to make depression a public health priority. This is a good sign showing that there is a sector in society that cares for people suffering from this kind of mental illness.

First Entry

Again, another blog site. But why? I already have two (the one in Friendster is not counted) where I have an on and off relationship. Another one? Well, this one is different. With this blogsite, our relationship is fixed....for 7 weeks...because it's a school project! (Yey! hmmm...) Meaning, a regular blogging work for 7 weeks...aha...hmmm...Yes, okay. Enough.

Welcome everyone!!! Hope you'll enjoy my blog articles.