swine flu in new york, school safety issues, law, travel cancellations

Can I llegally refuse to send my children to school this week in New York until we figure out was is really going on here. We are virtually right next door to this school below???


New York City was dealing with a growing public health threat Sunday after tests confirmed that eight students at a private Catholic high school had contracted swine flu. Some of the school's students had visited Mexico on a spring break trip two weeks ago.

New York officials previously had said they were eight probable cases, but Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed that it was swine flu, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said.

About 100 students at St. Francis Preparatory School complained of flu-like symptoms.

Bloomberg stressed that the cases in New York were mild--

He said that the virus likely came from Mexico, although that has not officially been determined.

The United States has not issued any travel warnings or quarantines yet just fyi.

I do not think legally you can do that until the city gov approves or issues an order. But of course they could take a sick day with your consent if you are that concerned or if they have any ill feelings etc.

Safety measures in U.S: Roughly 12 million doses of Tamiflu being moved from federal stockpile to be delivered to states. Travelers at border asked about travel to flu-stricken areas. St. Francis Preparatory School in New York, where eight cases are confirmed, closed Monday and Tuesday.


St. Mel's Catholic School in Fair Oaks, Calif., closed until at least Thursday as officials investigate possible infection of seventh grader.

If I cancel a trip to mexico that is booked for May 16 can they still charge me the 50% penalty given all that is going on? I would not feel right having my family go on this trip?

[annjd]

If there is a legitimate and material concern for safety or health, that is reason to cancel travel plans without penalty.

We are certainly close to that point if not already there as to Mexican travel packages.

Most companies will work with you to arrange some reasonable solution.

GO Pat!!! I would take my colleague's advice!
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A big problem during a pandemic is that ...simple supplies may become scarce awfully quickly. Stock up now. Medical supplies. personal hygene supplies and don't forget fido, or any other pet. Once a pandemic hits, it will be too late to stock up. Water, too.
We may lose clean water and electric power, so be prepared.


DON'T TAKE ANY VACCINES OFFERED. THEY COULD KILL YOU BEFORE ANY VIRUS KILLS YOU.

P. Doyle DVM, PhD Bus Admin

By MIKE STOBBE, AP Medical Writer Mike Stobbe, Ap Medical Writer – Sun Apr 26, 8:03 pm ET

ATLANTA – As reports of a unique form of swine flu erupt around the world, the inevitable question arises: Is this the big one?

Is this the next big global flu epidemic that public health experts have long anticipated and worried about? Is this the novel virus that will kill millions around the world, as pandemics did in 1918, 1957 and 1968?

The short answer is it's too soon to tell.

Read the whole article:
Is swine flu 'the big one' or a flu that fizzles?

Originally Posted by Unregistered If I cancel a trip to mexico that is booked for May 16 can they still charge me the 50% penalty given all that is going on? I would not feel right having my family go on this trip?

Some airline passengers have changed or canceled their plans to fly to Mexico.

"The loads are a little bit less than they normally would be for this time of day, but we are not seeing mass bookings away," said Michelle Mohr, a spokeswoman for US Airways.

American Airlines spokesman Tim Smith said his carrier has not seen large numbers of requests for travel changes, though there have been some.

Delta spokesman Anthony Black said: "We have seen minimal changes to customer bookings."

The airlines said their flights are operating as usual, with their normal slate of trips to Mexico.

Online travel agencies Orbitz Worldwide Inc. and Expedia Inc. are both waiving fees to change or cancel reservations for trips to Mexico. Priceline.com Inc. said it is matching the policies of its suppliers.

"If the supplier is waiving our fee, we're waiving our fee," said Priceline travel expert Brian Ek. "It will depend on which carrier you're using."

State health officials say there are now 11 confirmed, and two probable, cases of swine flu in California, and warned that many more cases are certain to emerge in the coming days.