Weekly Flu Report: January 21, 2010

Weekly Report: Download Weekly Report_1_21_10 (Download PDF Weekly Report 1_21_10)

As you can see in this week's report, the amount of flu-like illness in the state remains low and is consistent with what is expected this time of year. Nevertheless, we're not out of the woods yet so we continue to urge everyone to get the H1N1 vaccine. The vaccine is now widely available and remains the best protection against the flu. Find a clinic near you at http://flu.masspro.org.

Comments

[Susan]

I think the Dept of Health did a smack dang great job in informing the public of the swine flu and especially all the great programs for our children/grandchildren. BUT the Dept. of Health hasn't mentioned that IF/WHEN we do get ill enough to spend 3-4 weeks in the hospital on a respirator only to be released and return home with so many more problems. I have lung Cancer which complicated my hospital visit but now I'm on Oxygen 24/7 and the cost of the electric is making it impossible to continue to use the nebulizer and resperator. Sure we have (HAD) a wonderful Health Care system prior to July 2010 but now we are pretty much on our own and not at all ready prepared for any ilnesses coming this winter. I'm feeling this is the last for me. My Electric was cut off with National Grid after I came home from my hospital say of 4 weeks. ONE late fee.. They didn't even call nor send anyone to my home until I called them that my lites were out and I needed my resperator. The spokesperson, Lori was more anxious to get out of work at 5 pm than to deal with a lung cancer patient ready to pack up, call the amublance and head on back to the hospital until a neighbor told me to call the Mass. Dept. of Public Utilities Hot line. Wow!! A very kind gentleman was here within 15 minutes but waited 45 minutes for the Landing's Condo Emergency contact to answer his phone and walk (stagger) 2 doors down to open a filthy shed door so the kind gentleman could climb over lots of junk to turn on my Electric. It finally was on at 2 am but only in the kindness of the nice gentlemen who stayed with me and said he would not leave until he was sure that I was safe and secured in my home and my breathing was on course. So, our hospitals and doctors did an outstanding job in containing the Swine Flu but it certainly seems our Health Departments do their job yet when they 'think' it is complete, they NEVER Follow-up with the patient as does the hospital. I still am $500.00 in debt for the electric and every 6 months have to get a letter from my doctor so that Nnational Grid doesn't shut me off, being a lung Cancer Patient with only One Lung. Do they think it will grow back and I will be able to breathe? I just got another threat to shut me off and now hoping they don't come today and do so. I called my Doc, he sent the letter but only the Lord knows what kind of 'mood' National Grid's customer service employees will be in. I'll be on the curb with my Oxygen tank at about 4 am, again awaiting them to come and turn me on. Then they will call AGAIN and appologize that they JUST received my payment and they are so sorry. I KNOW, I USED TO WORK FOR THEM!!