Nigel 
July 23rd,2009
Image of flu virus
It’s not possible to say exactly what these words mean. Different groups define them slightly differently. I’ve updated the WORDS page to include roughly what they’re on about. To get to the page click on the WORDS tab at the top of this page.
I’ve been browsing through stuff on the net trying to separate fact from informed guesswork from media inaccuracy about the current pandemic of swine flu. Expect me to post an article summarising the most interesting bits later today (or early tomorrow since a friend from Ghana is round for tea and I’m designated cook today). Two snippets in advance:
- the media are typically selective to the point of incompetence in how they summarise and present the data (maybe I should write an article on the reasons for this),
- the full data is reassuring,although we can expect some disruption.
The UK Health Protection Agency should be giving their weekly pandemic flu update and media briefing today (23 July 2009). As soon as possible after it’s available I’ll analyse it from the point of view of a mathematician living in the real world,and post my own summary with comments on my other blog.
If you hear me sneezing,chill. It’s just a cold. If I get swine flu the main concern is that I already have chronic bronchitis and mild asthma,but even so I’ll almost certainly survive. Sorry 
Source: the flu virus picture used is image #8160 from the Public Health Image Library of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
