Pandemic Flu Preparedness in Rochester

This is a great story about our community’s leadership and commitment to addressing one of the biggest environmental health problems we face—a pandemic flu.

There are speculations all over the world about the probability that our planet will face another pandemic like the Spanish Flu that killed between 50 and 100 million people in 1918-19. This makes the pandemic flu more dangerous to our species than the Black Plague because, though the Black Plague killer a larger percentage of the population back in the 1300’s, in pure numbers a pandemic flu may have killed more individuals.

Some think another pandemic likely, some less. But in matters like these, even a small likelihood of a pandemic flu requires that we act responsibly and ready ourselves for such a quick-moving and devastating disease. It’s important to remember that unlike other forms of the flu, a pandemic flu will not simply strike at the young and old and those with compromised immune systems—it will strike everyone.

So, preparedness is key and that one of our universities in Rochester is being signaled out to establish a research center on this critical issues show what an advanced and environmentally community we are. URMC receives money for new bird flu research center - News - MSNBC.com The medical center has been awarded tens of millions of dollars to establish a new bird flu research center. The National Institutes of Health hopes to lower the yearly death toll from seasonal flu and to make future influenza pandemics less deadly. (March 31, 07) Rochester, NY news from WHEC-TV - MSNBC.com

Plastic Shopping Bags Vs Paper Vs Reusable

I am in favor of “State Senator Jim Alesi (R-Perinton) is drafting a bill that would make drug and grocery stores cut their non-biodegradable plastic bag use in half by the end of 2010 and stop using them altogether by the end of 2012.” But, I also think Wegmans has a good argument—customers reusing canvas sacks.

Reusing sacks, where customers would bring back their bags each time they shop and reuse the same bag, would go far in eliminating the majority of debris surrounding our city. Plastic bags are an eyesore that gets blown into our trees, the ground, along our trails, on yards, on power lines, you-name-it.

But, the best solution, reusable shopping bags is gong to take a change of habit for American shoppers and that will probably take a major publicity campaign. Mostly, we want our cake and eat it too. We want to have our way of life and keep our environment friendly also, but sometimes you just have to change your habits in order to do that.

I think the shopping bag argument, which environmentalists have been chewing over for years, is unsolvable if we want a product, even a biodegradable one that has to be produced in the billions and then thrown away. A reusable shopping bag, is the best solution, though in the beginning not the most convenient. Read: State Senator Wants Plastic Bag Ban - 13WHAM.com Paper or plastic? Soon, you may not get a choice. State Senator Jim Alesi (R-Perinton) is drafting a bill that would make drug and grocery stores cut their non-biodegradable plastic bag use in half by the end of 2010 and stop using them altogether by the end of 2012. - (March 30, 2007) Home - 13WHAM.com

Learn more about Recyling in Rochester, NY at Recycling In Rochester.

Rochester Bee Problem

I am glad to see that the Democrat and Chronicle is finally on this story. It’s been news around the country for awhile now, but even tho