Swine Flu Pandemic

The swine flu is suspected of killing more than 150 people in Mexico and sickening over 2,400 there. Nearly 100 cases have now been confirmed in the U.S. across 11 states, and health officials reported Wednesday that a 23-month-old Mexican boy had died in Texas.
Across Europe, Germany confirmed three swine flu cases and Austria one, while the number of confirmed cases rose to five in Britain and ten in Spain.

Margaret Chan the director of WHO declared the phase 5 alert after consulting with flu experts from around the world. The decision could lead the global body to recommend additional measures to combat the outbreak, including for vaccine manufacturers to switch production from seasonal flu vaccines to a pandemic vaccine. "All countries should immediately now activate their pandemic preparedness plans," Chan told reporters in Geneva. "It really is all of humanity that is under threat in a pandemic." A phase 5 alert means there is sustained transmission among people in at least two countries. Once the virus shows effective transmission in two different regions of the world a full pandemic outbreak would be declared. WHO has confirmed human cases of swine flu in Mexico, the United States, Canada, Britain, Israel, New Zealand and Spain. Mexico and the U.S. have reported deaths."It is important to take this very seriously," Chan told a press conference watched around the globe on Wednesday. But for the average person, the term "pandemic" doesn't mean they're suddenly at greater risk.
Flu viruses are notorious for rapid mutation and unpredictable behavior, Chan warned.
As fear and uncertainty about the disease ricocheted around the globe, nations took all sorts of precautions, some more useful than others.

Where's the Charity?

If you give expecting something in return, then you really are not giving anything at all. You may not expect monetary awards, however, you love to be praised for the charity work and donations that you've been apart of. It's up to us to help the poor and give to the needed with love. However, the bible says that Charity starts at home and then spreads abroad. Home is where the heart is and we have so many homeless people living on the streets of the USA, while we're still making arms (Not to mention the richest country in the world). Millions and billions spent on wars. Millions dying of curable deseases because they have no health insurance. Where is the charity here at home? Make it a point to do something special for someone else this week.

Live your best life

When we drop the preconceived notions about one another, and really get to know each other, life would be sweet! So don't judge before you get to know a person. love until you have a reason to doubt! You may or may not believe in the Bible, however, it's number one comandment is to LOVE THY NEIGBOUR AS THY SELF. With that said, we all know that Love is refreshing and Hate is painful, so what would you choose. I hung out with a person for 15 years thinking that we were friends. However, he was really never my friend, because he did not want me to prosper, yet he was making huge amounts of money. If you have people in your like that are not on your side, you need to seperate yourself from them, and only hang with friends that are a positive influence on your life. You will know if their your real friend, because I did, but ignored the signs. So what I'm saying to you is, Pay attention, and live your best life without negative forces around. Peace & Smile

Gospel Singer Rev Timothy Wright

Thank you T, Perryman for the news on the late Rev. Timothty Wright. I have been so blessed by this annoited voice of God. Rev. Timothy Wright's voice has been silenced, but members of the Grace Tabernacle Christian Center in Brooklyn vowed to make sure that his legacy lives forever. In a moving tribute, parishioners at the Crown Heights sanctuary mourned the Grammy-nominated "Godfather of Gospel." "He was a great father, pastor and leader," said Wright's son David. "His legacy is his songs. Church choirs will be singing his songs for years to come." Wright, 61, died Thursday from lingering injuries suffered in a car crash last July 4 that killed his wife, Betty, and their 14-year-old grandson, D.J. The founder of Grace Tabernacle's spinal cord was severed, his jaw and ribs broken and both legs fractured in the crash. While he regained his ability to speak, he could not overcome his injuries. "He was a humanitarian, a very compassionate man," said parishioner Ray Antoine, 60, noting that Wright once donated proceeds from a performancetothe victims of Hurricane Katrina. Churchgoer William Robertson called Wright "a minister of music." "The church will never be the same, but the mission must go on," Robertson said. At the service yesterday, frowns were replaced by smiles as singers belted "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus," a song composed by Betty Wright. Born and raised in Brooklyn, Wright began recording in 1968 after coming home from fighting in Vietnam. His 1994 album, "Come Thou Almighty King," made the Billboard Top 20 for gospel albums and was nominated for a Grammy for best traditional soul gospel album. His 1999 hit, "Been There Done That," also received a Grammy nod. Wright is survived by five sons and 13 grandchildren.

Obama's First 100 Days

Among the most significant steps in the first hundred days:
I believe in our president and trust his judgement. I'm also happy about the choices he made for his cabnet. When Michelle says that she's proud of our country, I agree. Passage of a $787 billion recovery plan; the release of the second tranche of TARP funding — an additional $350 billion — for troubled banks; a public-private partnership to rid banks of toxic assets on their balance sheets; so-called “stress tests” on major financial institutions; a $275 billion housing program estimated to rescue as many as 9 million homeowners from foreclosure;
a proposal for major overhaul of the financial regulatory system. The president also has called for limits on executive pay; ordered the firing of General Motors chief Rick Wagoner as part of the restructuring of the auto industry; and taken credit card executives to task for raising interest rates and fees in the midst of a recession. Aides say the president’s first hundred days have been as productive as any since Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

Famous for his even temperament, the president's mood has darkened, aides say, in only a few instances since taking office: in his dealings with military families who've lost loved ones, and when reading some of the personal letters from Americans telling stories of their own economic turmoil.

"I like the fact that he didn't come in and give us a bunch of happy talk. I'm glad he shot straight with us," Clinton said. "I just would like him to end by saying that he is hopeful and completely convinced we're gonna come through this."

Bea Arthur

Beatrice Arthur, the tall, deep-voiced actress whose razor-sharp delivery of comedy lines made her a TV star in the hit shows "Maude" and "The Golden Girls" and who won a Tony Award for the musical "Mame," died Saturday. She was 86. Arthur died peacefully at her Los Angeles home with her family at her side, the family spokesman said. She had cancer, declining to give further details. "She was a brilliant and witty woman," We will all miss her very much!

Protect yourself and your family from the SWINE FLU

The Swine Flu is making everyone nervous, and it should, since there is no current vaccine from the date this article was written. The Swine Flu is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses. Currently the CDC has determined that this virus is contagious and is spreading from human to human. However, at this time, it's not known how easily the virus spreads between people. It can be fatal, even if treated. There are several things you can do to keep your family safe until the CDC knows more about this flu, creates a vaccine for it, and no longer considers it a possible pandemic threat.

1. If you become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you may want to contact your physician, particularly if you are worried about your symptoms. Your health care provider will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed.
2. What medications are available to treat swine flu infections in humans?At this time, the CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir or zanamivir for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with swine influenza viruses. Its important to start treatment of antivirals soon as symptoms appear, or the Medications might not be effective. Talk to your doctor if you think you have been exposed for preventative treatment.
3. What can I do to protect myself from getting sick? There is no vaccine available right now to protect against swine flu. There are only everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza. Take these everyday steps to protect your health:

Lost Love (MY PUBLISHED WORK)

Did you hear the news today? Love came and went away, And left me all alone to suffer. There's no need to apologize, you have arms that extend wide. You'll hold me and tell me it's all right. All I need is your kind words, a listening ear and a shoulder to rest my head, and be at peace with myself alone. I don't want another love. What I want is a friend. I don't need another love. What I need is a friend. You'll be there for me, and I for you. There's nothing more to ask. Through ups and downs, through the thick and thin, You're that someone I need around, what I need is a friend.

Laughter Good for the Soul

We all know that laughter is an audible expression or appearance of happiness or an inward feeling of joy (laughing on the inside). Inhaling nitrous oxide can also induce laughter; other drugs, such as cannabis, can also induce episodes of strong laughter. Strong laughter can sometimes bring an onset of tears or even moderate muscular pain. Laughter is a part of human behaviour regulated by the brain, helping humans clarify their intentions in social interaction and providing an emotional context to conversations. Laughter is used as a signal for being part of a group — it signals acceptance and positive interactions with others. Laughter is sometimes seemingly contagious, and the laughter of one person can itself provoke laughter from others as a positive feedback. This may account in part for the popularity of laugh tracks in situation comedy television shows.
The study of humor and laughter, and its psychological and physiological effects on the human body is called gelotology. So remember to laugh!

American's warned of swine flu

A public health emergency is declared as a precaution, officials say. Twenty swine flu cases have been found in the U.S. Canada reports six. In Mexico, the flu death toll has climbed to 86.
Swine flu is "serious enough to be a great concern to this White House and to this government," White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said on NBC'S "Meet the Press," adding that President Obama is receiving frequent updates on the situation."We are taking the proper precautions to address anything that happens," Gibbs said. "It's not a time to panic."