a capite ad calcem

I find myself deeply bothered by the H1N1 hysteria over the past few months. I use the term hysteria quite purposefully as its definition includes panic, fear, and irrationality. The news agencies keep pushing the public to get not one but two vaccines this year, at least one of of which is being fast tracked with minimal testing. I refuse to be a guinea pig of the pharmaceutical industry.

I believe a little perspective is in order. The CDC is fond of saying that on average 36,000 people die annually from the seasonal flu (http://www.cdc.gov/flu/keyfacts.htm). Personally, I am a bit skeptical of that number. The CDC's own National Vital Statistics Report (http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr57/nvsr57_14.pdf) states that 56,326 deaths fell into the category of influenza and pneumonia. However, further down that same document also states that 55,477 deaths were attributed just to pneumonia. If my calculations are correct, that leaves only 849 deaths attributed to influenza alone, which just happens to agree with the line item just before pneumonia in that document. Obviously, the 36,000 number the CDC bandies about also counts those who died of pneumonia as a complication of influenza.

However, let's use roughly 56,000 since that is what is used in Table B of the NVSR. That means influenza and pneumonia combined account for only 2.32 percent of the 2,426,264 deaths that occurred in the US in 2006 making it the eighth leading cause of death. That pales in comparison with the first and second leading causes of death, heart disease (26%) and cancer (23%). Combined that is nearly half the deaths in this country. Yet, you would think H1N1 is the most threatening health problem out there.

I ask: Why? Some organizations have gone as far as mandating flu vaccines, which I find disturbing. I don't see anyone mandating any protective measures against heart disease, though lest we forget the push by pharmaceutical manufactures to make everyone a statin patient, including children.

That was a lot of details for me just to say I'm staying off the madness bandwagon. I will also say that I will not be getting any vaccines, not now, not the flu, not ever. About the only way someone is going to change my mind is with a loaded weapon pointed at my head.

I honestly worry about the affect this situation is going to have on all of us. Every so often someone mentions 1976 and the mistakes that were made then. Do I think history is repeating itself? Yes. I just hope no one dies or is maimed by this government sponsored insanity.

My advice: eat healthy (and I'm not referring to the USDA's food pyramid); exercise; get yourself a little sun (without sunscreen); and remain calm. We are a resilient people if we do not get swept up in the madness.