Remember swine 'flu?

[Everyone is a Pony]

I'm not drinking that water.

You're not Australian. You won't have to.

@Farnhamia: Shall do, as long as our government pays for premium Skype. It's cheaper than landline.

[Farnhamia]

I'm not drinking that water.

You're not Australian. You won't have to.

@Farnhamia: Shall do, as long as our government pays for premium Skype. It's cheaper than landline.

Will that require legislation? Or do you have a reptile fund to pay for immediate needs?

[Milks Empire]

I'm not drinking that water.

You're not Australian. You won't have to.

@Farnhamia: Shall do, as long as our government pays for premium Skype. It's cheaper than landline.

I mean if I went to Australia, I wouldn't drink that water. I am not risking drinking Farnhamia's piss! I am not into that!

[Farnhamia]

I'm not drinking that water.

You're not Australian. You won't have to.

@Farnhamia: Shall do, as long as our government pays for premium Skype. It's cheaper than landline.

I mean if I went to Australia, I wouldn't drink that water. I am not risking drinking Farnhamia's piss! I am not into that!

I do think they have one or two little water treatment plants. But okay, I'll amend that to "Get me a hogshead and I'll ... etc, etc."

[Kirav]

A pity. We could've had:

"Billy Mays here for Tamiflu!"

[Barringtonia]

It's fairly obvious that it's not that dangerous (not sure the elderly would agree) but 100,000 cases a day? That's bonkers!

Actually the elderly may have less to fear since they may have some immunity already, from some epidemic in the 50's.

The specific type of RNA (or something) in this virus means it can cross over with the H1N5 - I might look that up to be sure I've got it right - which is pretty deadly and, added to the contagious nature of this, adds up to something pretty bad.

One thing of interest is that the proximity of living and speed of transport might actually work to lessen the danger, in that the virus quickly becomes less virulent. The purpose of a virus is to survive and quickly killing off its hosts is not productive. The fact that it can spread more easy could work in our favour.

[Milks Empire]

A pity. We could've had:

"Billy Mays here for Tamiflu!"

DO NOT WANT!!!

I'd rather Vince Offer plugs for it. I can stand to see (and hear) him on TV without immediately going for the earplugs.

[Farnhamia]

A pity. We could've had:

"Billy Mays here for Tamiflu!"

"And if you call now, we'll add these steak knives!"

I heard a thing on Billy Mays on NPR today, he actually did start as a carnival barker and boardwalk pitchman, and he was just reaching the peak when he died. I think I may actually miss him more than I will Michael Jackson.

[Sneezing Pigs]

Dropped off the radar, or so it seemed to me. And then I read this article.

100,000 cases a day?

Shome mishtake, shurely? Or is this a cunning ploy by the government to introduce illiberal measures... no, I can't bring myself to don the tinfoil hat. Just how serious is this, though?

Mind you, could be useful for wangling time off work...

The what-now? Never heard of it... How many pigs died from it so far?

I don't know how many have DIED, but it's sure messy in my nation these days!

[Farnhamia]

It's fairly obvious that it's not that dangerous (not sure the elderly would agree) but 100,000 cases a day? That's bonkers!

Actually the elderly may have less to fear since they may have some immunity already, from some epidemic in the 50's.

The specific type of RNA (or something) in this virus means it can cross over with the H1N5 - I might look that up to be sure I've got it right - which is pretty deadly and, added to the contagious nature of this, adds up to something pretty bad.

One thing of interest is that the proximity of living and speed of transport might actually work to lessen the danger, in that the virus quickly becomes less virulent. The purpose of a virus is to survive and quickly killing off its hosts is not productive. The fact that it can spread more easy could work in our favour.

Mmm, well, but influenza can make its host very contagious and spread itself that way, even if the host dies.

[Techno-Soviet]

I think it's fairly obvious.

Swine flu is farming evo points to get moar deadly symptoms or trying to get to Madagascar.

What happens when it gets to Madagascar?

It's fairly obvious that it's not that dangerous (not sure the elderly would agree) but 100,000 cases a day? That's bonkers!

Actually the elderly may have less to fear since they may have some immunity already, from some epidemic in the 50's.

Then why do we still get vaccines every couple of years?

[Milks Empire]

I think it's fairly obvious.

Swine flu is farming evo points to get moar deadly symptoms or trying to get to Madagascar.

What happens when it gets to Madagascar?

But, at the same time...

[Everyone is a Pony]

Will that require legislation? Or do you have a reptile fund to pay for immediate needs?

I'm... not sure.

Eh, knowing Kevin Rudd, he'll probably add some legislation to block the use of Skype.

[Farnhamia]

But, at the same time...

I hope your place is carpeted, Milks. You spend so much time on the floor.

[Maurepas]

The real question is, is it safe to go to Mexico yet?

[Everyone is a Pony]

I mean if I went to Australia, I wouldn't drink that water. I am not risking drinking Farnhamia's piss! I am not into that!

First time for everything.

[Everyone is a Pony]

Then why do we still get vaccines every couple of years?

The virus mutates. It adapts so that the old vaccine no longer works.

[Barringtonia]

Mmm, well, but influenza can make its host very contagious and spread itself that way, even if the host dies.

Sure, but generally if a virus is highly contagious, it loses virulence. New viruses tend to be more contagious to gain traction but, once successful, they'll tone it down a little.

It's occurring with AIDS, it's not in the interest of a virus to kill everyone, it would rather co-live, hence much of our DNA is actually viruses.

More evolution is driven by resistance and adaptation to disease than running away from tigers, or what animal's trying to eat you.

[Everyone is a Pony]

But, at the same time...

I hope your place is carpeted, Milks. You spend so much time on the floor.

I could make such a bad, inappropriate innuendo here, but...

[Techno-Soviet]

Then why do we still get vaccines every couple of years?

The virus mutates. It adapts so that the old vaccine no longer works.

I always thought it had something to due with immunity 'going away' after a few years. =\

[Barringtonia]

I always thought it had something to due with immunity 'going away' after a few years. =\

Well, it's partly because a nation suffering from flu is an unproductive nation, especially one that's not buying flu vaccines.

[Milks Empire]

But, at the same time...

I hope your place is carpeted, Milks. You spend so much time on the floor.

It is. Except in the bathroom. But then, I'm not in the bathroom.

I mean if I went to Australia, I wouldn't drink that water. I am not risking drinking Farnhamia's piss! I am not into that!

First time for everything.

Yeah... No. Not for this.

But, at the same time...

I hope your place is carpeted, Milks. You spend so much time on the floor.

I could make such a bad, inappropriate innuendo here, but...

Please... Do.

[Farnhamia]

Then why do we still get vaccines every couple of years?

The virus mutates. It adapts so that the old vaccine no longer works.

I always thought it had something to due with immunity 'going away' after a few years. =\

No, immunity takes a long time to go away. It can diminish over time, which is why kids need booster shots for certain childhood diseases. Pony (may I call you that? "Everyone" seems impersonal) is right, the virus mutates fast and often. I seem to recall a cycle involving ducks, rice paddies and farmers in East Asia that spawned new viruses from time to time. This is why they're often called "Asian" flues, or "Hong Kong" and such. Danm, I should go look this up.

[Saint Clair Island]

Then why do we still get vaccines every couple of years?

The virus mutates. It adapts so that the old vaccine no longer works.

I always thought it had something to due with immunity 'going away' after a few years. =\

Combination of the two, I'd imagine.

[Farnhamia]

The virus mutates. It adapts so that the old vaccine no longer works.

I always thought it had something to due with immunity 'going away' after a few years. =\

Combination of the two, I'd imagine.

Well, and a mutated virus presents differently to the immune system so it doesn't have the defenses ready to go.