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Debate - is the UK prepared for swine flu?

6 May 2009

The media is buzzing with the threat of pandemic flu. Is this as big a threat as some make out? Or do we need to be doing more to stop it spreading?

In some quarters people are predicting a massive flu pandemic, while others are playing down the threat.

  • Will the UK be able to cope in the case of a flu pandemic?
  • Or is this all media hype?
  • Will the country grind to a halt?
  • Or are we prepared for all eventualities?

Is this something you have experience of? Have your say, and debate the issue here on PCS comment, and a selection of the comments will be published in View, the monthly magazine for PCS members.

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  1. Influenza statistics - WHO

    27 May 2009

    http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs211/en/index.html Seasonal epidemics Influenza epidemics occur yearly during autumn and winter in temperate regions. Illnesses result in hospitalizations and deaths mainly among high-risk groups (the very young, elderly or chronically ill). Worldwide, these annual epidemics result in about three to five million cases of severe illness, and about 250 000 to 500 000 deaths. Most deaths associated with influenza in industrialized countries occur among people age 65 or older. In some tropical countries, influenza viruses circulate throughout the year with one or two peaks during rainy seasons." I think that's pretty definitive! Cheers JOanna

    Joanna Rowland-Stuart
    Swine Flu

    23 May 2009

    I agree with Dan's comments, although I suspect that under the current pressure and scrutiny that MP's are under regarding their pay and expenses, that many would be volunteering to go Mexico! I agree with Carl completely regarding non-attendance at work. I work at a department of DVLA (the call centre) where non-attendance is not forgiven by management. As he quite rightly says you are damned if you do and damned if you don't. If you phone in sick you get warned off by management, but nobody says a word if you are pressurised into coming in and spread your germs around.

    Lin Black
    Swine Flu

    14 May 2009

    Why don't we send a parliamentary delegation of MPs - like all of them - to Mexico, to see how they're handling it. they could stick around for a few weeks to make sure that the system works and then report back. Or not.

    Dan Tanzey
    HR Policies

    13 May 2009

    Whilst it is certainly true that the press have latched onto a great horror story, countries would be negligent if they didn't take the threat seriously. this Autumn and Winter should demonstrate whether the precautions were unfounded or not. Ultimately only the medically qualified can judge whether or not the reaction is disproportionate, our lay opinion counts for nothing except with the benefit of hindsight. I am concerned about Civil Service Departments and their sickness absence policies though. Policies are becoming increasingly draconian and punitive, actively discouraging staff from taking time off owing to sickness whilst simultaneously stating that no-one should come into work if they are not well - damned if you do and damned if you don't.

    Carl Maniglia
    Swine Flu

    7 May 2009

    I would suggest that the media (especially the popular press) has as usual gone OTT on this one, by giving the impression that thousands of people are going to be dropping dead all over world. I seem to remember their forecasts a couple of years ago regarding bird flu, which prompted thousands of people into buying old army gas masks! The government's ad campaign to tell people how to sneeze properly is sensible enough I suppose, but not when it allegedly costs the millions of pounds that it has. I think we need to keep things in perspective - sadly more people (the old and the weak) die each year during the winter due to cold and flu then will die from bird flu or swine flu.

    Lin Black
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