Traveling H1N1 and Other Diseases

Recently, I've read an article titled, "Grounding Flights Won't Stop Flu," by Jason Socrates Bardi, Inside Science News Service. This reading is about how grounding planes is not worth it when it comes to the flu. For example, despite the fact that people aren't traveling as much, the flu still managed to spread around the world. Plus, "Even a little bit of travel goes a long way in spreading diseases like influenza," Cooper said, "so any achievable reductions in flying are not likely to make much of a difference." In addition, Cooper made models showing the effects of restricted air travel, and in the best case scenario after the first case emerged, the spread would only be postponed for several weeks. Outbreaks in the city would be established eventually. Therefore, that is another reason why grounding planes is a waste of time. According to the article, "part of the problem is that when people are sick, they fly away, despite a consensus among the experts on the panel that people with suspected cases of influenza should not fly." This is basically telling us that if people stayed in bed, like their doctors directed, there would be less of a spread because there is no risk of spreading it to other passengers. An example of this would be a 22-year-old woman returning from a trip to Mexico and then flying to Israel through Madrid, Spain. The lady was sick and then diagnosed with H1N1, also known as, Swine Flu. However, two days after the landing, another woman sitting directly in front of her on the plane to Madrid got struck with the same virus. Even though the doctors weren't sure if the second passenger had caught it elsewhere, it is still possible that air travel had caused it. On the other hand, it all depends on how healthy the people are to begin with.

Commercial airplanes are designed to pack large amounts of people into small spaces. But, the air is constantly circulating, so dangerous germs are being filtered out. However, germs are still likely to stick on surfaces for long periods of time. People today share common surfaces more than any other time in history. Overall, the proven methods, according to doctors, of avoiding illnesses are washing your hands, avoiding touching your eyes, getting vaccinated against the flu, and not flying if you are sick.

Another part of this article had to do with a timeline of disease spread on planes and acts passed by the White House to quarantine people who are sick with certain diseases. For example, in 1979, a plane with 54 passengers was delayed on the ground due to engine failure. During this wait, the ventilation system was turned off. One of the people had been sick with influenza. Also, within three days, 72 percent of the other passengers became ill. Furthermore, on December 22nd, 1983, the White House issued executive order #13295 that added Ebola, Lassa fever, and other hemorrhagic fevers to a list of communicable diseases. That way, the federal government could apprehend, detain, or quarantine individuals to prevent the spread.

In my opinion, I agree 100% percent with the idea that ground flights will not stop the flu from spreading. The reason I agree is because people are still in contact with each other even if they don't travel by plane. For instance, let's say a person drives from Oklahoma to California to visit family. When he arrives, he finds out that his relatives have been hit with H1N1. The person decides not to drive back because it is his sister's birthday and there is no point in leaving for the flu. Later, when he comes back to Oklahoma, he ends up getting the Swine Flu. Eventually, the person comes in contact with other people, and they catch the pandemic. Thus, this is my reasoning for why grounding flights will do very little to stop spreading. For, it is only one of the ways H1N1 can be carried. However, I am still a strong believer of the simple ways to prevent this, such as, washing your hands and getting vaccinated. The reason I believe in this is because they are easy to follow, and in the long run, they help much more. Overall, this is what the article, "Grounding Flights Won't Stop Flu," by Jason Socrates Bardi, Inside Science News Service, is all about, and how I feel about it.

My article and picture: http://www.livescience.com/health/091001-swine-flu.html