Swine Flu Pandemic Phase Increased to Level 5

The WHO increased the Pandemic Phase Level to a phase 5 on Wednesday, April 29, 2009. A phase 5 alert means there is sustained transmission among people in at least two countries. The WHO is coordinating the global response to human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) and monitoring the corresponding threat of an influenza pandemic.

“Influenza pandemics must be taken seriously precisely because of their capacity to spread rapidly to every country in the world,” said Dr. Margaret Chan, WHO Director-General, “All countries should immediately activate their pandemic preparedness plans. Countries should remain on high alert for unusual outbreaks of influenza-like illness and severe pneumonia.”

MSNBC explains what level 5 means for society by stating “The change to a level 5 alert has little meaning for people living in the U.S. This country is already doing almost everything possible to track the spread of the virus, treat the victims and try to develop a vaccine. This is much more of an alert to other countries to start their own preparations for when the virus arrives.” If a Phase 6 would be declared, it would mean a global epidemic of a new and deadly disease.

Those planning to follow through with travel plans should take extreme caution. Vice President Biden stated to reporters that he would not advise his own family to travel by plane or subway as the air circulates through the craft and spreads germs quickly. Non-essential travel should be avoided.

The United States Government has reported 91 laboratory confirmed human cases, with one death as of the end of the day on April 29, 2009. According to the CDC and USA Today, ten U.S. states that have confirmed cases of the swine virus which include Arizona, California, Indiana, Kansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New York, Ohio and Texas.

According to the Baltimore Sun, Maryland is reporting 6 likely cases in Anne Arundel and Baltimore Counties. Confirmation the illnesses are swine flu have yet to be confirmed by the CDC. All 6 people had links to people who have traveled to Mexico.

The Univeristy of Delaware has 10 probable cases of swine flu. It was reported yesterday that ten students were experiencing mild flu-like symptoms. The students have been tested for the swine flu virus and are awaiting results to confirm that it is in fact the virus.

According to the WHO, the following countries have reported laboratory confirmed cases with no deaths - Austria (1), Canada (13), Germany (3), Israel (2), New Zealand (3), Spain (4) and the United Kingdom (5).

Pizzetta's ... Good Pizza and Great Coca-Cola!

We went to this yummy restaurant a few days ago and we liked it so much we went back for more! The service wasn't to die for but the food was good enough and the atmosphere pretty fun!

I might love these glasses or atleast the laugh I get out of them!

Check out the cold sore above my lip on the right .. combined with my swollen forehead I am one smokin hotty! I was so irritated when I woke up with this fancy thing on my face that we went through the trouble of calling the dentist so he could call me in a script for valtrex to my Smith's in Farmington so they could transfer it to a Costco out here and when we get home I'll have to transfer it back! Oh well, you win some you lose some! Hopefully it's gone by morning!

Me & My Mom! I sure do love love LOVE her!

I have high hopes for getting a decent picture out of these boys before the end of the trip!

Just the three of us!

Keaton ... He smiled but lost interest before the camera had time to catch up!

Sea Glass Beach!

My brother-in-law Kirt heard about this beach and it sounded awesome so we had to check it out! There was glass EVERYWHERE, it was incredible! Apparently the water and such rounds off the edges on all the glass so you can actually walk on it! We found a ton of cool pieces that we may or may not be sneaking home with us! I tried to google the history behind it all and I didn't find a whole lot but I guess it's just a bunch of garbage and broken bottles ... either way it was awesome!

Funny Faces

Gorgeous view!

Such a good picture! Have I mentioned lately how much i LOVE my camera! My siblings rock!

The glass was spread out over the whole beach!

Spouting Horn!

My mom took us to this same location yesterday but the spouts apparently weren't doing what they usually do so we went back! They were so cool! I'm so glad we were able to get some pictures today! There were a couple of shops there but we didn't find anything we had to have so we just looked around!

I love these boys ... the three of them make me laugh so hard!

The Peterson Clan! Is that a gang sign Owen is flashing?

Swine Flu Claims first life in US

We are sad to hear that the US has had its first death attributed to Swine Flu, a 2 year old child in Texas.



You can find more information about the progression of Swine Flu here.

Just a bit of another day ...

We did lots of fun stuff today but it wasn't until we got in the car this morning that I realized my camera's battery needed a good long charge so I got zero pictures from the fun places we went today but I will be stealing some from Kady and Keaton's camera so stay tuned and I'll blog about today's adventures soon!
We went to a really fun restaurant for dinner tonight I can't remember how you spell the name so I'll get back to you on that one as well but ... I did get a few pictures of this yummy place! It's so fun to sit around and laugh at each other (mostly Logan) and just have a good time! Our week is quickly coming to an end and all of us could use at least another week of this place! We're trying to soak up every last minute!

Everyone ... Minus Keaton ... We really invited him so he could play Mr Photographer! ;)

These kids LOVE dessert! Look at Owen's little tongue!

Gotta love those crazy faces!

Logan brought these random glasses that he has been wearing almost the entire trip ... I was able to steal them for just a split second for a picture!
Notice how my forehead is HUGE ... It swells when I get sunburned ... so weird!
Me & Mom ... I love her so so much! It's because of her and all her hard work that I was able to make this trip! I owe her big time!

Just another random picture for the scrapbook!

SWINE FLU OUTBREAK-Day 2

On day 2 of our coverage of the Swine Flu outbreak we, unfortunately, have to report that the number of cases has gone up. The confirmed Swine Flu cases now span 7 countries. The death toll in Mexico is upwards of 150! So far no deaths have been reported in any other country and health officials are investigating why the numbers are so much higher in Mexico. President Obama says this outbreak is cause for concern, but not alarm.



The WHO has raised the Pandemic alert level to 4 out of 6. All nonessential travel to Mexico is discouraged by the CDC. All those who MUST travel to Mexico, the CDC urges you to make sure you have antiviral medications like Tamiflu or Relenza. The prescription meds fight against swine flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in the body.

More ....

Mom wanted to take us on a drive and show us a few of her favorite spots from when they came two years ago! These are a few pictures of the amazing views we got to see!

Puka-Dogs ...

We've been hearing about Puka-Dogs since these guys returned from Hawaii two years ago so we were super excited to check it out! It's a hot dog place (obviously..) with some crazy toppings! I have a hard time branching out and trying new things so I went with ketchup and mustard with some interesting mild relish! The hot dogs were HUGE so luckily Keaton was willing to split one with me! I let him cut it in half and somehow my portion was incredibly small hmmm ... But it's all good because I had room for the delicious lemonade and fries and we had a good laugh!

The whole gang!

I love this picture! I look so tan!

Me & Mom!

Our day ...

We spent another day at the beautiful pool and again had so much fun! I didn't actually get in the water today because I was determined to work on my tan ... & I was super tired today for some reason ... anyway! The boys had a blast and we've decided that we will get the four-man stack down if Owen is on top! We'll attempt that tomorrow!

Cal kept jumping on Logan's shoulders and then he'd throw him off!

Owen is such a fish, he loves the water!

Keater Bug getting some sun! (he finally caved and didn't wear sun block today ... you can finally tell that he's vacationing in Hawaii!)

I'm still loving the Pedicure I got before we left!

I'm a little toasted ... :)

The boys found this Lizard on their walk and it peed in Logan's hand! Gross!

First Day of Spring Ball

First day down and by all accounts it went better than expected. Though missing a few players, we are competently two-deep on both sides and established the Day One goal of setting the NASCAR tempo, d they are almost at the point where I can bet online for them.



Communication for the DBs was established and the Corners ate up the slide technique and divider rules. Things look promising for 4A District 1 next Fall.

9 Make State

Down in Baton Rouge on Saturday at the LHSAA Weightlifting State Championship at Robert E. Lee High.

We had 9 athletes place in 5 different weight classes.
For most of the lifters, it was their first competition and first experience performing the Clean & Jerk.

Junior Desmon Ethridge placing in the Snatch

** Note to self, do not teach the Clean & Jerk again wearing slacks and snake-skin shoes!

SWINE FLU OUTBREAK!

As luck (UN-luck is more like it) would have it there has been an outbreak of Swine Flu in Mexico, which is the country that you chose to hear about as our next featured "country of the month." We will post today with respect to the current outbreak of Swine Flu.

What the WHO is saying:
The World Health Organization has declared the swine flu outbreak in
North America a "public health emergency of international concern".
The decision means countries around the world will be asked to step up
reporting and surveillance of the disease implicated in dozens of
human deaths in Mexico and at least 40 non fatal cases in the USA. WHO
fears the outbreak could spread to other countries and is calling for
a coordinated response to contain it. more from WHO

What the CDC is saying:
CDC is working very closely with officials in states where human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) have been identified, as well as with health officials in Mexico, Canada and the World Health Organization. This includes deploying staff domestically and internationally to provide guidance and technical support. CDC has activated its Emergency Operations Center to coordinate this investigation. more from CDC

What Passport Health Suggests:
Use the common sense approach to avoiding swine flu:

• Practice good basic hygiene in daily life
• Avoid travel to regions where swine flu has been detected
• Avoid large crowds and leave crowds if you observe someone who is symptomatic
• If you are symptomatic, stay at home away from large crowds and your workplace
• The wearing of a surgical mask is recommended when in areas where the Swine Flu has been detected and when traveling on airplanes
• When you cough or sneeze, if you do not have a tissue available cough into your arm, not your hand. Use of hot water and soap and alcohol sanitizers are proven methods to avoid transmission of the virus.
• If you are traveling to flu endemic areas and it has been more than 3-4 months since your last flu shot – it is recommended that you receive an additional immunization to boost your immune system.

Visit Passport Health on the web at www.passporthealthusa.com for more information.

Check out these videos:

Golf Course!

We had a delicious brunch at a restaurant over looking a gorgeous golf course today and along with the view, the food was fantastic!! I've recently taken up golfing (thanks Colby) So I had to take a few pictures!

Apparently they were expecting a lot of golfers today ....

I would LOVE to live in one of those houses!