Ken gets it right
Discussion
The experts think there is a Flu pandemic on the way and that the risks are far greater than terrorism. Asian bird flu or a mutant of are held up as possible candidates for the next big killer, nearly 80% of those infected die. The only available remedies are the anti virals Tamiflu and Relenza, it is a good idea to keep these in the fridge at home. The UK has been criticised by the WHO for not having enough of these drugs. In London Ken has now done something about this for key workers. Good on him. The 1918/10 Flu killed more people in Europe than WW1.From This is London:
This is
LONDON
23/02/05 - News and city section
Mayor to spend £1m on bird flu drug
By Ross Lydall, Local Government Correspondent, Evening Standard
Ken Livingstone is to spend £1million protecting London's emergency workers from a feared Asian bird flu outbreak.
The Mayor said he had decided to act before an expected government announcement on the levels of anti-viral drugs it planned to buy for the country.
Speaking at City Hall, he revealed he was about to sign a contract with drugs firm Roche to safeguard 100,000 police, firefighters, bus and Tube drivers, council workers and City Hall staff. An action plan, which would swing into place in the event of a crisis, is to be drawn up.
It follows Conservative concerns that the Government has dragged its heels in protecting against a spread of the infection from Asia, and was failing to act as decisively as other European governments.
Mr Livingstone said: "I have not the slightest indication that we are about to face an outbreak of bird flu. But clearly the huge number of travellers arriving each day at Heathrow makes us uniquely vulnerable."
He said mortality rates in Asia were 75 per cent, but added this was a vast overestimate because of a lack of official records in countries such as Thailand.
But he said the £1million would be a small price to pay if it prevented a likely one in 10 essential public sector workers being struck down by the virus. The last UK flu pandemic occurred in 1968 when he said one in 1,000 people died.
He said the treatment, while not as effective as a vaccine, would have three key benefits. It would reduce the infectiousness of those affected, shorten the course of the virus and help prevent complications such as pneumonia, which can be fatal.
Mr Livingstone said: "This measure represents a prudent step to ensure that if we are ever faced with the scenario of a flu pandemic, the services provided by London-wide government will be maintained.
"I want these services to be protected so that London is in a position to carry on as normal."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Find this story at www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/articles/16815325?version=1
©2005 Associated New Media
This is
LONDON
23/02/05 - News and city section
Mayor to spend £1m on bird flu drug
By Ross Lydall, Local Government Correspondent, Evening Standard
Ken Livingstone is to spend £1million protecting London's emergency workers from a feared Asian bird flu outbreak.
The Mayor said he had decided to act before an expected government announcement on the levels of anti-viral drugs it planned to buy for the country.
Speaking at City Hall, he revealed he was about to sign a contract with drugs firm Roche to safeguard 100,000 police, firefighters, bus and Tube drivers, council workers and City Hall staff. An action plan, which would swing into place in the event of a crisis, is to be drawn up.
It follows Conservative concerns that the Government has dragged its heels in protecting against a spread of the infection from Asia, and was failing to act as decisively as other European governments.
Mr Livingstone said: "I have not the slightest indication that we are about to face an outbreak of bird flu. But clearly the huge number of travellers arriving each day at Heathrow makes us uniquely vulnerable."
He said mortality rates in Asia were 75 per cent, but added this was a vast overestimate because of a lack of official records in countries such as Thailand.
But he said the £1million would be a small price to pay if it prevented a likely one in 10 essential public sector workers being struck down by the virus. The last UK flu pandemic occurred in 1968 when he said one in 1,000 people died.
He said the treatment, while not as effective as a vaccine, would have three key benefits. It would reduce the infectiousness of those affected, shorten the course of the virus and help prevent complications such as pneumonia, which can be fatal.
Mr Livingstone said: "This measure represents a prudent step to ensure that if we are ever faced with the scenario of a flu pandemic, the services provided by London-wide government will be maintained.
"I want these services to be protected so that London is in a position to carry on as normal."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Find this story at www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/articles/16815325?version=1
©2005 Associated New Media
Why do we need the tube drivers to be especially protected if everyone's dead? The last thing I'd be doing in the event of some mass outbreak is running into a confined, enclosed space with thousands of other people.
Perhaps something of the usual hysteria is being generated once again...SARS..?
Perhaps something of the usual hysteria is being generated once again...SARS..?
jamesc said:
Knowing Livingstone he has more likely given the money to some Hopus Popus outfit rather than an experienced company such as Smith Kline or Welcome!
Anything this idiot does is money down the drain and Londoners should rid the city of this troll.
Doesn't it say he ias about to sign with Roche?
Yertis said:
Knowing Livingstone he has more likely given the money to some Hopus Popus outfit rather than an experienced company such as Smith Kline or Welcome!
Anything this idiot does is money down the drain and Londoners should rid the city of this troll.
Doesn't it say he ias about to sign with Roche?
Yep, they only grossed 24 billion last year...
Highly amused.
I'm sure the Unions will be pushing against this vaccination as the Civil Servant organisations have higher sickness rates than the rest of us who work for a living.
How the hell are going to expalin the surge in working days once they're all flu immune? Surely they'll have to sack a few as they would be overmanned and you could keep giving them the needle every year!
There, I've just saved HM Gov millions in lost sick time.
My invoice for 10% will be in the post.
Mark
I'm sure the Unions will be pushing against this vaccination as the Civil Servant organisations have higher sickness rates than the rest of us who work for a living.
How the hell are going to expalin the surge in working days once they're all flu immune? Surely they'll have to sack a few as they would be overmanned and you could keep giving them the needle every year!
There, I've just saved HM Gov millions in lost sick time.
My invoice for 10% will be in the post.
Mark
skid said:
Highly amused.
I'm sure the Unions will be pushing against this vaccination as the Civil Servant organisations have higher sickness rates than the rest of us who work for a living.
How the hell are going to expalin the surge in working days once they're all flu immune? Surely they'll have to sack a few as they would be overmanned and you could keep giving them the needle every year!
There, I've just saved HM Gov millions in lost sick time.
My invoice for 10% will be in the post.
Mark
It is not a vaccination. It is a drug you take once you have symptoms that stops you from dying.
>> Edited by bruciebabe on Tuesday 1st March 14:35
bruciebabe said:
Highly amused.
I'm sure the Unions will be pushing against this vaccination as the Civil Servant organisations have higher sickness rates than the rest of us who work for a living.
How the hell are going to expalin the surge in working days once they're all flu immune? Surely they'll have to sack a few as they would be overmanned and you could keep giving them the needle every year!
There, I've just saved HM Gov millions in lost sick time.
My invoice for 10% will be in the post.
Mark
It is not a vaccination. It is a drug you take once you have symptoms that stops you from dieing.
but its still something that'll screw up your mission to have a day off.
As a North Western voice, and not so sure of London politics (always debatable). At least Ken, it seems, fights for London. All our fighting MP's have been removed, so it doesn't matter whom you vote for here anymore ( Gov. please note). Value what you've got, he may not be YOUR political flavour, but, does he 'ell as like, fight for London. Wish we had some like him! 
>> Edited by 8Pack on Wednesday 2nd March 02:51
>> Edited by 8Pack on Wednesday 2nd March 02:51
Gassing Station | The Pie & Piston Archive | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff