The H1N1 flu virus pandemic is no longer a threat of the future. It is here and making its way through the Midwest.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, Indiana is one of the states where the virus outbreak is “widespread.” An example of how widespread the flu has become in Indiana is that there have been 38 schools since Sept. 14 with absenteeism of 20 percent or higher. Nationwide, there were 20,654 cases of hospitalization for the swine flu from Aug. 30 to Oct. 10 and 2,321 deaths.
As the outbreak grows, Goshen-area residents should be taking some common-sense precautions to prevent the spread of disease. Those who become ill should stay home. Students shouldn’t worry about missing a test or playing in the big game. Workers shouldn’t worry about what the boss will think if they miss a few days of work. It is far better for employees to stay home instead of spreading the flu to an entire office or factory.
Two local hospitals, Elkhart General and Parkview LaGrange, have gone so far as to ban visitations by young people. It is believed the H1N1 virus is more prevalent in young people. So keeping young people from spreading the flu to people recovering from sickness or injury in a hospital makes a lot of sense.
Prevention is the key to controling the flu outbreak. People should avoid shaking hands, use handkerchiefs to cover up coughs and sneezes, wash their hands frequently and avoid people who are not taking these precautions.
And as vaccinations become available, we should all get them. Seasonal flu vaccinations have been around for decades and have been proven safe and an effective means to limit the outbreak of influenza. Get your shot!
We have no idea how long the H1N1 influenza outbreak will last. But however long it is, Goshen-area residents should remain vigilant and continue to take precautions to prevent and contain the virus.
Opinion
The flu is here, so take precautions
- Opinion
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13 turnarounds we can admire
Before trustees of Goshen Community Schools met this past Monday night, a reception was held to honor 13 deserving students. They weren’t valedictorians or salutatorians. They weren’t class presidents or all-state student-athletes.
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Recognition as bicycle-friendly city appreciated
Goshen is in the second year of its four-year designation by the League of American Bicyclists as a bike-friendly community. We congratulate city planners and bicycle advocates for this continuing recognition.
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A message that all children need to hear
Gayla Konanz is giving girls the message they need to hear — fitness begins early in life and is the foundation that self-esteem and confidence are built on.
Konanz is a fitness advocate for children and works through the Girls on the Run program. The Goshen News told readers in the May 2 edition how Konanz is working with girls at Bristol Elementary School and is encouraging them to get fit and stay fit. -
We’re No. 12, and No. 1,268! Way to go GHS
This has become a popular space for singing the praises of our local school corporations in recent years. That’s because we believe in the quality work and effort our educators and students are putting forth on a daily basis in and out of the classroom.
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Bill Bloss was a superb servant
Bill Bloss, a man who was always willing to step up and help his hometown of Goshen, died Wednesday. We know that everyone who had met Mr. Bloss and got to know him, will miss him plenty.
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Voters and candidates deserve a 'thank you'
In light of Tuesday’s primary election, we’d like to take a moment and thank two groups of people.
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A portrait of success this past Friday
Goshen’s First Fridays has garnered its fair share of headlines since March when the City Council began considering ordinance amendments geared toward youth attending the monthly festival.
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Time not always on public’s side
One candidate was asked whether or not he was a socialist. Others discussed funding priorities, and even braved the tricky topic of where Goshen’s “south link road” should or shouldn’t go.
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Good news in local education
Public schools — especially diverse urban districts — often get a bad rap by those who choose to look through the narrow telescope of standardized test scores. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: Standardized tests are a wonderful tool for educators, but not the end-all, be-all of gauging achievement and effectiveness.
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Gang 'talk' is what we need
Business owners see the evidence on their store fronts. Teachers see it sitting in their classrooms. Police officers see it in their daily reports. Graffiti. Clothing. Violence. While the term “gang” can conjure images of crusty inner-city slums, it is not a term that is lost any longer here in Elkhart County.
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13 turnarounds we can admire
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