Anne Woods: A Weekend for Superheroes
Swine Flu - How Far Would You Go to Keep Your Kids Healthy?
Filed under: Opinions
This coming weekend, my 2- and 5-year-old are traveling by airplane to visit their grandparents in Arizona for three weeks. Grandpa will be flying in from Sky Harbor airport in Phoenix and picking them up in Minneapolis to fly with them back to the Valley of the Sun. However, the recent outbreak of swine flu and, the number of yet unanswered questions about it's actual scope, has given us additional reasons to fret about putting our little treasures on an airplane without us.
The EU has urged Europeans to cancel travel plans to the US and Mexico and judging by comments on the web, plenty of Americans are also rethinking their air travel plans, especially those bound for Mexico. And honestly, we're rethinking our plans to send our kids to Arizona.
Truthfully, if my kids were flying to Billings, Montana, I'd be a lot less afraid of them contracting swine flu. But my kids are flying to Arizona, a state who's residents are more likely to travel to Mexico or come in contact with people coming from Mexico. In fact, much of the web chatter surrounds Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano's decision not to test airplane travelers from Mexico for the virus, thought the State Department is issuing a warning urging Americans to avoid nonessential travel to Mexico. "Right now we don't think the facts warrant more active testing or screening of passengers coming in from Mexico," she said.
Save for breaking news that this flu has erupted into a full-blown pandemic, I'm still tentatively planning on sending my winter weary kids to grandma and grandpa's for some much needed bonding this coming weekend. In the meantime, I've been scouring the web to find the best advice on how to minimize their chance of contraction during travel. Here's what I've learned:
Wash your hands. Frequent hand washing with good old soap and water is the number one preventative measure you can take. Hand sanitizers are OK when soap isn't available, but they are not fully effective against viruses. Remember to always wash after touching handrails, pens, phones, remotes, or shaking hands.
Cover your mouth. Wearing a mask on your flight is a good idea, but only if it is industrial respirator strength and snugly fit. You can purchase them online with speedy delivery. Run of the mill masks sold at your local DIY store will not prevent transmission. However, they will prevent you from touching your nose and mouth, which will help cut down on transmission.
I've just purchased a box of 3M masks for the kid's flight. They will arrive by Wednesday. I'm also planning on stuffing grandpa's pockets with mini hand sanatizers. The hard part, will be trying to convince our toddler to keep his mask on during the flight. Good luck, Grandpa!
What are you doing to keep your kids healthy? And are you worried about swine flu, or do you think the response is greater than the actual illness?
The EU has urged Europeans to cancel travel plans to the US and Mexico and judging by comments on the web, plenty of Americans are also rethinking their air travel plans, especially those bound for Mexico. And honestly, we're rethinking our plans to send our kids to Arizona.
Truthfully, if my kids were flying to Billings, Montana, I'd be a lot less afraid of them contracting swine flu. But my kids are flying to Arizona, a state who's residents are more likely to travel to Mexico or come in contact with people coming from Mexico. In fact, much of the web chatter surrounds Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano's decision not to test airplane travelers from Mexico for the virus, thought the State Department is issuing a warning urging Americans to avoid nonessential travel to Mexico. "Right now we don't think the facts warrant more active testing or screening of passengers coming in from Mexico," she said.
Save for breaking news that this flu has erupted into a full-blown pandemic, I'm still tentatively planning on sending my winter weary kids to grandma and grandpa's for some much needed bonding this coming weekend. In the meantime, I've been scouring the web to find the best advice on how to minimize their chance of contraction during travel. Here's what I've learned:
Wash your hands. Frequent hand washing with good old soap and water is the number one preventative measure you can take. Hand sanitizers are OK when soap isn't available, but they are not fully effective against viruses. Remember to always wash after touching handrails, pens, phones, remotes, or shaking hands.
Cover your mouth. Wearing a mask on your flight is a good idea, but only if it is industrial respirator strength and snugly fit. You can purchase them online with speedy delivery. Run of the mill masks sold at your local DIY store will not prevent transmission. However, they will prevent you from touching your nose and mouth, which will help cut down on transmission.
I've just purchased a box of 3M masks for the kid's flight. They will arrive by Wednesday. I'm also planning on stuffing grandpa's pockets with mini hand sanatizers. The hard part, will be trying to convince our toddler to keep his mask on during the flight. Good luck, Grandpa!
What are you doing to keep your kids healthy? And are you worried about swine flu, or do you think the response is greater than the actual illness?
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ReaderComments (Page 2 of 2)
4-29-2009 @ 11:57AM
Anna M said...I agree, sending little ones on planes with all this stuff circulating is scary. In light of new flu viruses I'm reminded how important it is to keep our immunity strong in ourselves and for our kids. My favorite recipe for immunity is vitamin C, D, whole-food rich diet, and probiotics. Oh, and a mask doesn't hurt right now, either :)
~Anna M
www.nutri-health.com
Reply
4-29-2009 @ 12:03PM
undrgrndgirl said...your article smacks of racism...thus far, there are MORE cases of flu in new york than in california and texas and NONE in arizona, as yet. while i agree perhaps travel should be canceled (i'd love for the federal government to ground all flights for a couple of weeks or a month, the economic fall out might be less than letting a pandemic build), the likelihood that your little ones will contract the flu in arizona is probably equal to them contracting it in minnesota - and btw minnesota just announced its first case....
Reply
4-29-2009 @ 1:00PM
bromac said...I had NO idea Arizonians were a different race. UGH. Do you have any understanding of what race is?
4-29-2009 @ 1:25PM
luckymom said...How this article is racist is baffling. Rachel talks about concern that there may be higher risks for her children going to a state that has more travel to and from Mexico then her home state (Wisconsin, not Minnesota). This is a fact about border states, and is not a racist comment. To add to this that Rachel grew up in Arizona and has a Spanish heritage, makes it more amusing that a reader is so quick to call her a racist. Seems like you are trying to create controversy out of nothing.
Another side note: to any reader that was confused, she isn't sending her children alone on the plane, she clearly states Grandpa is flying up to bring them to Arizona.
4-29-2009 @ 12:15PM
bromac said...I am just shocked that you're sending a 2yo on a plane without a parent!
Though I'm also quite perplexed why it is wonder girl thinks you're racist. I'm not seeing it.
Reply
4-29-2009 @ 1:10PM
notfooled said...Because the author is subliminally implying that since more Hispanics live in AZ they are somehow the "cause" of the flu in the US. Altho the truth is, weathy, vacationing teens actually brought it to the US.
4-29-2009 @ 1:15PM
bromac said...I didn't get that subliminal message at all. But, hey, everyone gets to have their own interpretation.
Reply
4-29-2009 @ 3:52PM
Godluvsme said...Ok, I'm sorry if anyone is going to take this offensibly but I think the best thing you can do for your family before stuffing your closet with Purell and masks is pray for them and remember that God is truly above all. "YES ALL"I have no answers as to why this is happening but it surely brings me back to the book of Revelations and it is scary. I don't want to stuff religion down anyones throat but this really is my belief, many people forget God until it is too late, Even for those who this pandemic isn't too big of a deal for. By the way, I'm of latin origin and I didn't find any offense in the authors comments. If anything, I think that illegal crossing at this time makes it especialy dangerous for us in the US. That is what is frightning about getting even closer to the border at this time, therefore I completely understand her concern. Specially for her children. Please be careful and may God trully bless and keep you and your families from this.
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4-29-2009 @ 11:44PM
Alex said...I can see why you'd be worried--but I don't think you should plan on canceling the trip. I've had a trip planned for Disneyland with my parents and 3 year old for months--and now my mom is wondering if we should cancel because of the swine flu. I'm thinking no--and my 3 year old is constantly sucking his fingers (i.e. always ingesting new germs). So, get crazy--pack the kids off and enjoy a weekend to yourself. If you want more info, we have updated stories on the swine flu:
http://www.breezymama.com
Reply
4-30-2009 @ 12:30AM
Michelle said...Rachel,
I'm an overprotective parent when it comes to this topic, but for good reason.
Three years ago, when my daughter was just over 2 years old, she contracted the flu in early spring, even after having the flu vaccination (the virus had duplicated itself by then). In addition to the flu, she also contracted a bacterial infection in her trachea. The flu made it harder for her to fight off the trachea infection. The symptoms started one morning, and later that day her trachea became so swollen she had trouble breathing (I'm so glad this didn't happen during the night). She stopped breathing three times, and luckily the last time we were at a children's hospital and they called and code blue an intubated her. She was intubated for 4 days until her throat opened up and she could breathe on her own. It was the worst 4 days of my life.
Will your kids probably be okay? Yes, probably. But take it from a mother who has been there...I don't think you can ever be too careful when it comes to your kids' heath and safety, especially during a time when there is a higher risk of something happening. And kids under the age of 5 are much more susceptible.
And don't think it can't happen to you or your kids. I used antibacterial soaps and gels, had good hand washing practices, gave the kids their vitamins, fed them well, and they were always up to date on their vaccinations. My daughter had never had anything more serious than a cold. All it takes is one exposure for a child, especially a toddler, to become very, very sick; very, very quickly. Wouldn't you want to be with your kids to be with you if something happened? It's not like you could just take a drive over to the hospital in Arizona if they ended up getting sick. And I believe a child has a better chance of survival if the parents are there.
I vote to postpone the trip, until things start to settle down with this flu. Besides, being away from your kids while all this is going on, might end up being quite stressful and worrisome for you. Remember, too, the air in a plane is constantly circulating. I read somewhere that if you are on a plane with someone who has the flu and the person coughs or sneezes, you have a 75% chance of contracting it. I wouldn't trust those masks, either. Is a 2-year old really going to keep that on? And will your father make him wear it the entire time? Good luck with your decision.
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4-30-2009 @ 1:40PM
Andy said...It started in Mexico but to say that is considered racist. Wonderful. All that rhetoric will help us save our children and ourselves I am sure.
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4-30-2009 @ 2:51PM
jen said...No, you don't get it. The author suggested that Hispanic citizens of AZ are more likely to give her kids swine flu than others, simpy b/c they "might" visit Mexico more often. That is the implied racism. However, the truth is, the people bringing it to the US are overwhelmingly white business persons/vacationers.
4-30-2009 @ 4:22PM
Caroline said...Jen,
It's about PROXIMITY, you idiot!
Reply
4-30-2009 @ 5:31PM
jen said...Sooooo - you're saying that just being in close proximity to Hispanic Americans increases your risk of swine flu??!! That's just STUP.....nope I won't sink to your low level of "discussion" by name-calling.
Just because someone is Hispanic, doesn't mean they're constantly running back and forth to Mexico. I repeat, the swine flu entered the US via business people/vacationers who then have passed it on to their families. Try reading some real news, instead of the inflamatory "web chatter" that Rachel relies on.
5-01-2009 @ 11:01AM
Melanie said...I would definitely cancel the flight with your little ones. Planes can be so dirty. Not only because it's a contained place where the germs fester, also because they just don't clean that well between flights. I flew in December with my 13 month old son. During the flight he dropped one of his toys between the seats and the woman sitting next to me said, "Be sure to wash that really really well before you give it back to him. My daughter is a flight attendant and tells me horror stories about how dirty these planes are." It should also be noted that a toddler just died from the Swine Flu in Texas.
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5-01-2009 @ 11:03AM
Melanie said...Oh, I also wanted to say something about Eskimo Pie's incredibly blase attitude about this whole thing. Yeah, it is scary since there are no vaccine's, this is new and no one is immune to it. The media has not called for a panic, they are calling for the public to be informed and careful so that this does not turn into a disaster.
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5-01-2009 @ 11:15AM
Melanie said...It's not racist to say that states that border Mexico are more likely to visit Mexico. It's true. A) There is a higher percentage of Mexican immigrants there, they go to visit their families in Mexico. That's not racist. I came from Oklahoma and live in Texas. I visit Oklahoma frequently to visit family. I wouldn't offended to hear someone assert that. B.) People that live closer to Mexico like to travel to the beaches there, it's cheaper. Rachel has said some offensive conservative statements in the past but this just isn't one of them.
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