When do I get vacinated for Swine Flu?

At last there is some relief from Swine Flu scare which has been declared as a pandemic across the globe. In Germany around 23,000 people are infected with swine flu and it  is predicted to spread further this Autumn and Winter. Three people have already  succumbed to this deadly  H1N1 virus.

 

As a measure several German states have already started with vaccinations against Swine Flu on 26th October 2009.

Who will get vaccinated in the First phase of Immunization?

• Medical Workers - as they come in contact with more H1N1 Infected people
  
• Police Officers 
  
• Fire Workers
• People suffering from Chronic diseases like Asthma, Diabetes etc.
• Pregnant  woman
• Pop Stars who travel a lot and perform with huge crowds.
  

I am a normal person, When can I get Vaccination?

The Normal Public will have to wait till the end of Novemeber to get vaccinated.

Who will pay for the Vaccinations?

According to http://www.neuegrippe.bund.de  and http://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/ischgkvlv/index.html, the expenses are born by the private and public insurances one is insured with. So no worries of burning out your pockets.

Whom should I contact for vaccinations?

NRW: 0180-310 02 10

Rheinland Pfalz: 06131-16 52 00

Saarland:  0681-501 36 94 and 0681-501 36 95

Sachsen: 030-346465100 (http://www.gesunde.sachsen.de/5786.html)

Sachsen-Anhalt: 0391-537 71 11

Schleswig-Holstein: 0431-160 66 66

Thüringen: 0361-37 74 30 99

Baden-Württemberg: 01805-633 22 5

Bayern: 089-31 56 01 01

Berlin: http://www.berlin.de/special/gesundheit-und-beauty/gesundheit/news/988140-211-4ae2e4f5.html

Bremen: 0421-36114444 (Bremerhaven: 0471-59614444)

Hamburg: 040-428 37 37 95

Hessen: 0800-440 05 50

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern: www.regierung-mv.de

Niedersachsen: 0511-450 55 55

Contact the above Hotlines for more information on Vaccination Program in your state. You can also contact your Local Health Office (Gesundheitsamt).

I think this step towards Swine flu has a got a sign of relief in people and a new hope to beat the H1N1 virus. Yet there seem to be growing unwillingness to get vaccinated in Germany because of rumored risks associated with it. According to one survey every one-fifth is unwilling to get vaccinated. But dont believe in rumors, vaccination is a must for everyone though it is left to the individuals discretion.

The famous adage goes this way:

"Prevention is better than Cure"

References: www.bild.de

                    www.thelocal.de

Politically (in)Correct words of 2009

The Global Language Monitor included "Swine Flu", the words the whole World is scared about, in its top 10 most politically (in)correct words and phrases of 2009.

The top 10 Politically Correct Words and Phrases of 2009 are:

1. Swine Flu - Though millions know the current pandemic as Swine Flu, the various governments and agencies for political motives ranging from protecting pork producers to religious sensitivity have chosen to call the virus by its formal name, influenza A(H1N1).

2. Flush Toilet - Green Movement has made Flush Toilets, Toiler Paer and Toilet use more watchful.

3. Green Revolution - Green Revolution gained popularity because many believe that the world has paid a s "stiff price in environmental degaradation".

4. Minority - Talking about minorities is considered insensitive to minorities since this can make them feel, well, like minorities.

5. Saint - In addition to the word "saint", 'bishop', 'chapel'. and 'Pentecost' Oxford has removed these words from the Junior Dictionary.

6. Politically Correct – The term politically correct has, itself, is now politically correct, Be careful how you use it.

7. Oriental – In the US considered offensive to Asians because the term is based on the geographic relationship of Asia from a Western perspective. In Europe (and in most Asian nations), however, Oriental is acceptable.

8. Founding Fathers – Though all the Signers of the American Declaration of Independence were men, this is considered sexists in some quarters. Founders, please.

9. Black Sheep – Though originally referring to the rare birth of a lamb with black fur, now considered ethnically insensitive; the same is true for Black Day, Conversely, terms like White Collar and Whiter than White all can be used to encourage a hierarchical value of skin tone.

10. Senior Citizen – In the name of ‘inclusiveness,’ the UK’s Loughborough University’s suggests replacing senior citizen with ‘older person’.

The Top Politically Incorrect Terms and Phrases for previous years include:

    * 2008: “He Can’t Win” – Hillary Clinton’s coded reference to Barack Obama’s ethnic background as an insurmountable impediment to him winning the US Presidency

    * 2007: Nappy-headed Ho — Radio personality Don Imus’ reference to the women on the Rutgers University championship basketball team.

    * 2006: Global Warming Denier – Scientists not denying climate change, but the role of humans in the millennia-old process.

    * 2005: Misguided Criminals – A BBC commentator attempts to strip away all emotion from the word ‘terrorist’ by using ‘neutral’ descriptions for those who carried out the 7/7 tube bombings.

    * 2004: Master/Slave computer jargon – LA County re-labels computer documentation to remove this alleged slur that has been used for decades describing computer hierarchies.

Excerpts from: http://www.languagemonitor.com/