Not to be paranoid or anything but especially as one of the students attending summer school at McMaster and being around several hundred students daily, does McMaster University have a system in place for possible viral outbreaks or pandemics?

I think I mean more of a communication system where the school can quickly and effectively disseminate any information about cases in the immediate area and more importantly cases of students that attend mcmaster.

I'm not worried at the moment, it's more of an interest if we have a system in place if or when the time comes, so that the university is prepared.

- Curious me

I think there's a bulletin board in the student center.

Daily News is considered the place for up-to-date information on campus, so if something needs to be known it is put there. Also, the school has the capacity to email every student using their MAC ID if needed also.

The University does have a pandemic plan in place. Most Canadian universities created plans in 2005/06.

Most university plans are similar, as universities share information and expertice on these things.

Here's the link for the University of Manitoba pandemic page (which has been up since 2004): http://umanitoba.ca/pandemic/

An article on university planning for pandemics: http://www.universityaffairs .ca/pr...-pandemic.aspx

Before we all go panicking about the swine flu, here's an article that puts things in context: http://network.nationalpost. com/np...-pandemic.aspx

Originally Posted by fullsmash26

The University does have a pandemic plan in place. Most Canadian universities created plans in 2005/06.

Most university plans are similar, as universities share information and expertice on these things.

Here's the link for the University of Manitoba pandemic page (which has been up since 2004): http://umanitoba.ca/pandemic/

An article on university planning for pandemics: http://www.universityaffairs .ca/pr...-pandemic.aspx

Before we all go panicking about the swine flu, here's an article that puts things in context: http://network.nationalpost. com/np...-pandemic.aspx

Thanks, this is exactly what I was wondering about.

IMO, they should just put signs all over the washrooms/halls on how to wash your hands properly as a precaution. I always get so grossed out by idiots who rub their fingertips in water and think that they've "washed their hands".

*voms*

Any how, the media just seems to be hyping it up like the SARS outbreak.

It's bad that they put the pandemic level so high because everyone stresses out, but then it's a good thing that they put the pandemic level so high because everyone is being more cautious, or atleast that's what I think their goal is.

I think it's better to be hyping it up rather than be laissez-faire about it. If it's been weeks and everyone who has gotten it in North America, Europe and New Zealand recovers, then it won't be as worrisome, it's still too early to tell though.

The WHO said we're getting closer to level 5, but still far off. The only reason they would raise it, is if people here in North America, Europe, etc, are transmitting it to other people who haven't been to Mexico.

Originally Posted by feonateresa

I think it's better to be hyping it up rather than be laissez-faire about it. If it's been weeks and everyone who has gotten it in North America, Europe and New Zealand recovers, then it won't be as worrisome, it's still too early to tell though.

The WHO said we're getting closer to level 5, but still far off. The only reason they would raise it, is if people here in North America, Europe, etc, are transmitting it to other people who haven't been to Mexico.

It's actually been raised to level 5 as of today: Link

Originally Posted by Chris L

It's actually been raised to level 5 as of today: Link

Oh man, seems like something new happens everyday.

Here's a recent news release from the City of Hamilton:

http://www.myhamilton.ca/myhamilton/...4-29-09mjb.htm

I know that there are a couple people who just arrived back from mexico and are under investigation but there have not been any confirmed cases in Hamilton thus far as far as I know. and hopefully it will stay that way.

Originally Posted by jesus

IMO, they should just put signs all over the washrooms/halls on how to wash your hands properly as a precaution. I always get so grossed out by idiots who rub their fingertips in water and think that they've "washed their hands".

Meh, why do I have to wash my hands after touching my own wiener?

Originally Posted by ViktorVaughn

Meh, why do I have to wash my hands after touching my own wiener?

So, you're saying that you go to the bathroom without washing your hands and then go outside and shake hands with other people? You my friend, I hope I never have an encounter with you. :]

I find it really surprising that everyone is attempting to compare this pandemic to something that happened in 1918. There are LOTS of differences between how we understand epidemiology and disease transmission from then and now, and it is apparent we are also forgetting how different our societies are. For example:

• People often became very ill/died in general due to poor sanitation at that time
• Many people did not have running water
• Illiteracy was common (i.e. many were uneducated or not knowledgable)
• Antibiotics were relatively unknown
• There is a higher global population density and quicker means of transportation, thereby increasing the possibility of infection wordwide

Etcetera etc.

Apparently it just got a whole lot worse in London: Link