Queres jugar a juegos de Halloween?
Entra a nuestra red social en http://firstvirtual.ning.com/ y divertite con miles de juegos online de terrorrrr!
Have fun!!!

MindJolt Games – First Virtual. Entra y disfruta de los mejores juegos online para aprender Ingles! Have fun!

Feeling edgy? That may be because…It’s Halloween!

Hey ho for Halloween
When the fairies all are seen;
Some black and some green,
Hey ho for Halloween!

…Traditional Irish Rhyme

For some Halloween entertainment look no further than the musical note icon which you will find under the definitions of these words:

scream, howl, creak, hoot (the owl, not the car) – our dictionary is scary in all sorts of places.

This week’s round-up.

Some blog post highlights, weekly bookmarks and new word entries:

Are you feeling hedgy? A blog post of old:

Why it pays to hedge your bets in English
Wikipedia nicely defines hedges as ‘intentionally non-committal or ambiguous sentence fragments, mitigating devices used to lessen the impact of an utterance’, and suggests that they are really a form of euphemism. They certainly do help tongue-tied Brits to challenge someone without getting punched. Take a look at this hedgy statement:
Oh, by the way, you know this morning when I overheard you telling the CEO that you thought that I had the intellectual capacity of a squashed apricot, well, the thing is, I sort of thought that was a little bit, kind of, well, a teensy bit out of line. I mean, depends of course, but perhaps, I don’t know, you could maybe have been slightly more, you know, well, a bit nicer…although, come to think of it, I do rather like apricots actually…
Take away the hedges, rephrase slightly and you get something like this:
This morning I overheard you telling the CEO that you thought I had the intellectual capacity of a squashed apricot. I thought that was rude and deeply unprofessional. However, I want you to know that I do like apricots.

Just this week: Thoughts on Stephen King’s On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft.

‘Any word you have to hunt for in a thesaurus is the wrong word. There are no exceptions to this rule.’

At first I thought – well, that’s alright if you’re English speaking, and if you’re writing prose. I guess what he is saying is that writing instinctively and honestly beats writing to be fancy. Writing: ‘Lend me your ear’ beats writing: ‘Advance me your stirrup, anvil and cochlea.’

Search through posts by category. The focus this week: ‘Common Errors in English’, sorting through errors like using ‘bought’ for ‘brought’ and the mystery of mischieviousness, and other grievious errors.

Look out for regular posts: ‘Language and words in the news’ – weekly selection of links related to language and words on the web; Casting a Spell on English, Stephen Bullon analyses the way you search the dictionary and will have you spellbound over the results; the weekly BuzzWord article is another one to bookmark.

Thanks for visiting our blog and using the Macmillan English Dictionary Online.

http://www.macmillandictionary.com

 

Club de lectura – Literary forum

Les presentamos nuestro club de lectura online donde podran discutir sobre distintos autores ingleses de todos los tiempos, analizar sus obras/escritos, ensayos, articulos y compartir opiniones con alumnos de todo el mundo.

Los invitamos a hacerse miembros! Nuestro enlace http://firstvirtual.ning.com/group/literaryforum

First Studio Institute: Nuestros Cursos Regulares 2009-2010

GENERAL ENGLISH (INGLÉS GENERAL)

Beginner.
El contenido de esta etapa te proporcionará las estructuras básicas y necesarias para formular expresiones comunes.
Elementary.
Aquí podrás desenvolverte con más naturalidad, utilizando estructuras y expresiones cotidianas pero con un mayor grado de complejidad.
Intermediate.
En esta etapa serás capaz de sostener una conversación con seguridad y fluidez, utilizando estructuras avanzadas.
Post-intermediate.
Tendrás el dominio para manejar cualquier tipo de situación y con una pronunciación totalmente precisa.

GENERAL ADVANCED ENGLISH (INGLÉS AVANZADO)

Upper-intermediate.
En esta etapa reforzarás totalmente el Inglés. A través de diálogos, role plays y readings diseñados para ampliar tu vocabulario y estructuras gramaticales, podrás hablar como un nativo.
Advanced.
Dominio completo del Inglés. Podrás hablar con fluidez y pronunciación exacta y tu comprensión del idioma será completa.

Ingles Laboral

Los cursos tienen como meta desarrollar el conocimiento y las habilidades necesarias para superar la ansiedad de utilizar inglés en:

- Entrevistas / búsquedas de trabajo.

- Reuniones.

- Presentaciones.

- Comunicaciones Telefónicas.

- Curriculum Vitae

Ingles para Viajeros

Aprenda inglés en los meses previos a sus viajes, para así sentirse libre en sus vacaciones y lograr comunicarse con fluidez.

Aquí trabajamos conjuntamente con las empresas lideres de mercado Welcome Abroad e Intereduca para ofrecer a nuestros estudiantes la posibilidad de realizar viajes al exterior, Job Pools o programas de inmersión Work and Travel en USA, Europa o el Reino Unido.

Literatura

Súmese a nuestros foros de discusion literaria en nuestra red social.Trabajamos sobre la lectura y el análisis de obras en idioma inglés. Nuestra direccion del foro

Profesionales

Cursos de inglés desarrollados a la medida de cada profesión y actividad: Medicine, Law, Business, Marketing, Human Resources, Computing, Travel Agent, Secretaries, Receptionists, Engineers, Oil industry and Tourism.

Clases online desde su lugar de trabajo, residencia o descanso desde nuestra plataforma de e-work.

Grupos de Conversación

Workshops semanales o a distancia, mediante nuestra plataforma de e-work para quienes estén interesadas en enriquecer sus conocimientos de inglés a través de la conversación y la lectura de cuentos con temas que focalizan en problemáticas actuales. El objetivo es utilizar el conocimiento previo de la lengua en la práctica, descubriendo y explorando.

Mas informacion visite http://www.first-v.com.ar/

2009 flu pandemic

The 2009 flu pandemic is a global outbreak of a new strain of influenza A virus subtype H1N1, termed Pandemic H1N1/09 virus by the World Health Organization (WHO),[2] that was first identified in April 2009. The disease has also been termed 2009 H1N1 Flu by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),[3] and colloquially called swine flu.

The outbreak was first observed in Mexico, [4][5] with evidence that there had been an ongoing epidemic for months before it was officially recognized as such.[6] The Mexican government soon closed most of Mexico City’s public and private offices and facilities to contain the spread of the virus. As the virus quickly spread globally, clinics were overwhelmed by testing and treating patients, and the WHO and the CDC eventually stopped counting all cases and focused instead on tracking major outbreaks. On June 11, 2009, WHO declared the outbreak to be a pandemic.[7]

Only mild symptoms are experienced by the overwhelming majority of victims,[7] but there are exceptions. Some persons are in higher risk groups, such as those with asthma, diabetes,[8][9] obesity, heart disease, or who are pregnant or have a weakened immune system.[10] And there are small subsets of patients, even among young persons previously healthy, in which the patient rapidly develops severe pneumonia, typically 3 to 5 days after initial onset of symptoms. Deterioration can be very rapid, with many patients progressing to respiratory failure within 24 hours, requiring intensive care and ventilation support.[11] Also, after convalescing normally from the flu, relapse with high fever in children not suffering from chronic diseases may indicate bacterial pneumonia, which requires antibiotic treatment.[12]

Like other influenza viruses, novel H1N1 influenza is spread by coughing, sneezing, or touching contaminated surfaces and then touching the nose or mouth. Symptoms, which last up to a week, are similar to those of seasonal flu, and can include fever, sneezing, sore throat, cough, headache, and muscle or joint pains. To avoid spreading the infection, the CDC recommended that those with symptoms stay home from school, work, and crowded settings; in general, wearing facial masks was not recommended, except in health care settings.[13]

Annual influenza epidemics are estimated to affect 5–15% of the global population. Although most cases are mild, these epidemics still cause severe illness in 3–5 million people and 250,000–500,000 deaths worldwide.[14] In industrialized countries, severe illness and deaths occur mainly in the high-risk populations of infants, the elderly, and chronically ill patients,[14] although the swine flu outbreak (as well as the 1918 Spanish flu) differs in its tendency to affect younger, healthier people.[15]

In addition to these annual epidemics, Influenza A virus strains caused three global pandemics during the 20th century: the Spanish flu in 1918, Asian flu in 1957, and Hong Kong flu in 1968–69. These virus strains had undergone major genetic changes for which the population did not possess significant immunity.[14][16] Recent genetic analysis has revealed that three-quarters, or six out of the eight genetic segments of the 2009 flu pandemic strain arose from the North American swine flu strains circulating since 1998, when a new strain was first identified on a factory farm in North Carolina, and which was the first-ever reported triple-hybrid flu virus.[17]

The great majority of deaths in the 1918 flu pandemic were the result of secondary bacterial pneumonia. The influenza virus damaged the lining of the bronchial tubes and lungs of victims, allowing common bacteria from the nose and throat to infect their lungs. Subsequent pandemics have had many fewer fatalities due to the development of antibiotic medicines that can treat pneumonia.[18]

20th century flu pandemics
Pandemic Year Influenza virus type People infected (approx) Deaths worldwide (est.) Case fatality rate
Spanish flu 1918–19 A/H1N1[19][20] 33% (500 million)[21] 20 to 100 million[22][23][24] >2.5%[25]
Asian flu 1956–58 A/H2N2[19] 2 million[24] <0.1%[25]
Hong Kong flu 1968–69 A/H3N2[19] 1 million[24] <0.1%[25]
Seasonal flu Every year mainly A/H3N2, A/H1N1, and B 5–15% (340 million – 1 billion)[26] 250,000–500,000 per year[14] <0.1%[27]

Not a pandemic, but listed to compare the several flu strains endemic in humans which produce seasonal flu with the rare new strain that results in a flu pandemic
The influenza virus has also caused several pandemic threats over the past century, including the pseudo-pandemic of 1947, the 1976 swine flu outbreak, and the 1977 Russian flu, all caused by the H1N1 subtype.[16] The world has been at an increased level of alert since the SARS epidemic in Southeast Asia (caused by the SARS coronavirus).[28] The level of preparedness was further increased and sustained with the advent of the H5N1 bird flu outbreaks because of H5N1's high fatality rate, although the strains currently prevalent have limited human-to-human transmission (anthroponotic) capability, or epidemicity.[19][29]

People who contracted flu before 1957 appeared to have some immunity to H1N1. Dr. Daniel Jernigan of the CDC has stated: "Tests on blood serum from older people showed that they had antibodies that attacked the new virus [...] That does not mean that everyone over 52 is immune, since Americans and Mexicans older than that have died of the new flu."[30]

[edit] Initial outbreaks
Further information: 2009 flu pandemic timeline, 2009 flu pandemic tables, and 2009 flu pandemic by country

Semi-logarithmic plot of laboratory-confirmed A(H1N1) influenza cases in 2009 according to the WHO reports as of 3 August.[31]It is not known where the virus originated.[32][33] Analyses in scientific journals have suggested that the H1N1 strain responsible for the current outbreak first evolved in September 2008, and circulated among humans for several months before being identified as a new strain of flu.[32][34][35]

[edit] Mexico
Further information: 2009 flu pandemic in Mexico
The virus was first reported in two US children in March 2009, but health officials have reported that it apparently infected people as early as January 2009 in Mexico.[36] The outbreak was first detected in Mexico City on March 18, 2009;[37] immediately after the outbreak was officially announced, Mexico requested material support from the US, and within days of the outbreak Mexico City was "effectively shut down".[38] Some countries canceled flights to Mexico while others halted trade. Calls to close the border to contain the spread were rejected.[38] Mexico already had hundreds of cases before the outbreak was officially recognized, and was therefore in the midst of a "silent epidemic".[38] As a result, Mexico was reporting only the most serious cases, possibly leading to a skewed initial estimate of the case fatality rate."[37]

[edit] United States
Further information: 2009 flu pandemic in the United States
The new strain was first identified by the CDC in two children, neither of whom had been in contact with pigs. The first case, from San Diego County, California, was confirmed from clinical specimens (nasopharyngeal swab) examined by the CDC on April 14, 2009. A second case, from nearby Imperial County, California, was confirmed on April 17. The patient in the first confirmed case had flu symptoms including fever and cough on clinical exam on March 30, and the second on March 28.[39] It was not identified as a new strain in Mexico until April 24.[40]

[edit] Response
See also: 2009 flu pandemic by country

Deaths
Confirmed cases
See also: H1N1 live map, WHO updatesOn April 27, the European Union health commissioner advised Europeans to postpone nonessential travel to the United States or Mexico. This followed the discovery of the first confirmed case in Spain.[41] On May 6, 2009, the Public Health Agency of Canada announced that their National Microbiology Laboratory (NML) had mapped the genetic code of the swine flu virus, the first time that was done.[42] In England, the National Health Service launched a website, the National Pandemic Flu Service,[43] allowing patients to self-assess and get an authorization number for antiviral medication. The system was expected to reduce the burden on general practitioners.[44]

US officials observed that six years of worrying about H5N1 avian flu did much to prepare for the current swine flu outbreak, noting that after H5N1 emerged in Asia, ultimately killing about 60% of the few hundred people infected by it over the years, many countries took steps to try to prevent any similar crisis from spreading further.[45][46] The CDC and other American governmental agencies[47] used the summer lull to take stock of the United States's response to the new H1N1 flu and attempt to patch any gaps in the public health safety net before flu season started in early autumn.[48] Preparations included planning a second influenza vaccination program in addition to the one for seasonal influenza, and improving coordination between federal, state, and local governments and private health providers.[48]

[edit] Pigs and food safety
Main article: 2009 swine flu outbreak actions concerning pigs
The novel H1N1 virus is a type of swine influenza, derived originally from a strain that lived in pigs and this origin gave rise to the common name of "swine flu". This term is widely used by mass media. Despite this origin, however, the strain was transmitted between people and not from swine.[6] The United States Secretary of Agriculture made clear that despite its common name being "swine flu", there is no risk of contracting flu from eating cooked pork products.[49] The virus has been found in American[50] and Canadian[51] hogs, as well as in hogs in Northern Ireland, Argentina, and Norway[52]. On April 27, Azerbaijan imposed a ban on the importation of animal husbandry products from America.[53] The Indonesian government halted the importation of pigs and initiated the examination of 9 million pigs in Indonesia.[54] The Egyptian government ordered the slaughter of all pigs in Egypt on April 29, 2009.[55]

[edit] Nomenclature
Further information: Pandemic H1N1/09 virus: Nomenclature
The initial outbreak was called the "H1N1 influenza". The CDC began also referring to it as "Novel Influenza A (H1N1)".[56] In the Netherlands, it was originally called "pig flu", but is now called "Mexican flu" by the national health institute and in the media. South Korea and Israel briefly considered calling it the "Mexican virus".[57] Later, the South Korean press used "SI", short for "swine influenza". Taiwan suggested the names "H1N1 flu" or "new flu", which most local media adopted.[58] The World Organization for Animal Health proposed the name "North American influenza".[59] The European Commission adopted the term "novel flu virus".[60]

[edit] Virus characteristics
Main article: Pandemic H1N1/09 virus
The virus is a novel strain of influenza, and existing vaccines against seasonal flu provide no protection. A study at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, published in May 2009, found that children had no preexisting immunity to the new strain but that adults, particularly those over 60, had some degree of immunity. Children showed no cross-reactive antibody reaction to the new strain, adults aged 18 to 64 had 6–9%, and older adults 33%.[61][62] It was also determined that the strain contained genes from five different flu viruses: North American swine influenza, North American avian influenza, human influenza, and two swine influenza viruses typically found in Asia and Europe. Further analysis showed that several proteins of the virus are most similar to strains that cause mild symptoms in humans, leading virologist Wendy Barclay to suggest on 1 May 2009 that the initial indications are that the virus was unlikely to cause severe symptoms for most people.[63]

In July 2009, the CDC noted that most infections were mild, similar to seasonal flu, recovery tended to be fairly quick, and deaths to date had been only a fraction of the number of people who die every year from seasonal flu.[citation needed] The 1918 flu epidemic began with a wave of mild cases in the spring, followed by more deadly waves in the autumn, eventually killing hundreds of thousands in the United States.[64] Researchers from the University of Maryland mixed swine flu and seasonal flu and concluded that the swine flu was unlikely to get more lethal.[65]

And, for more regarding the probable or possible history of Novel H1N1, a July 9, 2009, New England Journal of Medicine article states: "H1N2 and other subtypes are descendants of the triple-reassortant swine H3N2 viruses isolated in North America.[66] They have spread in swine hosts around the globe and have been found to infect humans. The segments coding for the neuraminidase and the matrix proteins of the new human H1N1 virus are, however, distantly related to swine viruses isolated in Europe in the early 1990s."[67]

[edit] Transmission
Spread of 2009 H1N1 virus is thought to occur in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing by people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something – such as a surface or object – with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.[68] The basic reproduction number (the average number of other individuals each infected individual will infect in a population that has no immunity to the disease) for the 2009 novel H1N1 is estimated to be 1.75.[69]

[edit] Symptoms and severity

CDC's CAPT Dr. Joe Bresee describes symptoms.The symptoms of swine flu are similar to other influenzas, and may include a fever, coughing (typically a "dry cough"),[70][71] headaches, pain in the muscles or joints, sore throat, chills, fatigue, and runny nose. Diarrhea, vomiting, and neurological problems were also reported in some cases.[72][73] People at higher risk of serious complications include people age 65 and older, children younger than 5 years old, children with neurodevelopmental conditions, pregnant women, and people of any age with underlying medical conditions, such as asthma, diabetes, obesity, heart disease, or a weakened immune system (e.g., taking immunosuppressive medications or infected with HIV).[10] Most hospitalizations in the US were people with such underlying conditions, according to the CDC.[74]

A New England Journal of Medicine article on hospitalized United States H1N1 patients from April to mid-June found that 40% of them had chest X-rays consistent with pneumonia. And if the same pattern holds from the 1957-58 pandemic, then approximately two-thirds of these patients had viral pneumonia and one-third had bacterial pneumonia. However, antiviral medication was received by only 73% of the patients, whereas 97% received antibiotics. It is recommended that such patients receive both.[75]

[edit] In adults
In adults, shortness of breath, pain in the chest or abdomen, sudden dizziness, or confusion may require emergency care. In both children and adults, persistent vomiting or the return of flu-like symptoms that include a fever and cough may require medical attention.[73] And if it follows the same pattern as in children, a relapse with high fever may in fact be pneumonia.

Dr. Thomas R. Frieden, Director of the CDC,[76] suggests that people with "underlying conditions" who come down with flu symptoms should consult their doctors first before visiting an "emergency room full of sick people," since it "may actually put them in more danger." This was especially true of pregnant women.[10]

[edit] In children

Influenza-associated pediatric deaths reported to CDC, from 2005–06 to start of 2009–2010As with the seasonal flu, certain symptoms may require emergency medical attention. In children, signs of respiratory distress include blue lips and skin, dehydration, rapid breathing, excessive sleeping, seizures,[77] and significant irritability including a lack of desire to be held. Although "too early" to tell for certain, Dr. Frieden has noted that so far the swine flu "seems to be taking a heavier toll among chronically ill children than the seasonal flu usually does." Of the children who have died so far, nearly two-thirds had pre-existing nervous system disorders, such as cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, or developmental delays. "Children with nerve and muscle problems may be at especially high risk for complications," the CDC report stated. In children without chronic health problems, it is a warning sign if they seem to recover from the flu but then relapse with a high fever, Dr. Frieden added. The relapse may be bacterial pneumonia, which must be treated with antibiotics.[12]

[edit] Hospital preparation
On October 24, 2009, United States President Obama declared H1N1 flu a national emergency. This will grant Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius power to authorize waivers as individual medical facilities request them. More fully, the declaration does "hereby find and proclaim that, given that the rapid increase in illness across the Nation may overburden health care resources and that the temporary waiver of certain standard Federal requirements may be warranted in order to enable U.S. health care facilities to implement emergency operations plans, the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic in the United States constitutes a national emergency."[78][79]

[edit] Vaccination and prevention
See also: Influenza prevention, 2009 flu pandemic vaccine, and Influenza vaccine#2009-2010 season (Northern Hemisphere)
The pandemic is expected to peak by mid-winter in the Northern hemisphere.[80] The CDC recommended that initial vaccine doses should go to priority groups such as pregnant women, people who live with or care for babies under six months old, children six months to four years old and health-care workers. In the UK, the NHS recommended vaccine priority go to people over six months old who were clinically at risk for seasonal flu, pregnant women, and households of people with compromised immunity.[44]

Although it was initially thought that two injections would be required, clinical trials showed that the new vaccine protects "with only one dose instead of two", and so the limited vaccine supplies would go twice as far as had been predicted.[81] Costs would also be lowered by having a "more efficient vaccine".[81] For children under the age of 10, two administrations of the vaccine, spaced 21 days apart, are recommended.[82][83] The seasonal flu will still require a separate vaccination.[84]

Health officials worldwide were also concerned because the virus was new and could easily mutate and become more virulent, even though most flu symptoms were mild and lasted only a few days without treatment. Officials also urged communities, businesses and individuals to make contingency plans for possible school closures, multiple employee absences for illness, surges of patients in hospitals and other effects of potentially widespread outbreaks.[85]

To combat the virus, the WHO and the US government geared up for a massive vaccination campaign in late 2009, one not seen since Jonas Salk discovered the polio vaccine in 1955.[86]

The Mayo Clinic suggested personal measures to avoid seasonal flu infection were applicable to the 2009 pandemic: vaccination when available, thorough and frequent hand-washing, a balanced diet with fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein, sufficient sleep, regular exercise, and avoiding crowds.[87] Smoking raises the risk of contracting influenza, as well as producing more severe disease symptoms.[88][89][90][91][92] The leading health agencies stressed that eating properly cooked pork or other food products derived from pigs would not cause flu.[93]

[edit] Travel precautions

Flu inspection on flight arriving in China
Thermal imaging camera & screen, photographed in an airport terminal in Greece. Thermal imaging can detect elevated body temperature, one of the signs of the virus H1N1 (Swine influenza).The WHO stated that containment was not a feasible option and that countries should focus on mitigating the effect of the virus. It did not recommend closing borders or restricting travel.[94] On April 26, 2009, the Chinese government announced that visitors returning from flu-affected areas who experienced flu-like symptoms within two weeks would be quarantined.[95] On May 2, 2009, China suspended flights from Tijuana to Shanghai.[96]

The president of the Association of Flight Attendants told members of a US Congressional subcommittee that all flight attendants should be given training in how to handle a person with flu and help in communicating to passengers the importance of keeping clean hands.[97] She also said that flight attendants need to be provided gloves and facemasks to deal with flu-stricken passengers.[97] Lahey Clinic vice chairman of emergency medicine and Tufts University assistant professor of emergency medicine Mark Gendreau adds that airlines should also ensure that passenger cabins are always properly ventilated, including during flight delays in which passengers are kept aboard the plane. But he also adds that although the aviation industry in the US, along with the CDC, have tried to reassure passengers that air travel is safe, they have so far done too little to try to limit infection risks.[97]

US airlines had made no major changes as of the beginning of June 2009, but continued standing practices that included looking for passengers with symptoms of flu, measles, or other infections, and relying on in-flight air filters to ensure that aircraft were sanitized.[98] Masks were not generally provided by airlines and the CDC did not recommend that airline crews wear them.[98] Some non-US airlines, mostly Asian ones, including Singapore Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Cathay Pacific, and Mexicana Airlines, took measures such as stepping up cabin cleaning, installing state-of-the-art air filters, and allowing in-flight staff to wear face masks.[98]

[edit] Schools
The early days of the swine flu outbreak led to numerous precautionary school closures in several countries. However, as the virus eventually proved to be milder than had been initially feared, schools reopened and the closures stopped. Among countries that reported school closures were the United States, Greece, India, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Mexico, Guatemala, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, and Costa Rica. Rather than closing schools, the CDC recommends that students and school workers with flu symptoms should stay home for either seven days total, or until 24 hours after symptoms subside—whichever is longer.[99] If the outbreak suddenly turns severe, additional measures such as school closings would then be considered.[100]

In California, school districts and universities are on alert and working with health officials to launch education campaigns. Many planned to stockpile medical supplies and discuss worst-case scenarios, including plans to provide lessons and meals for low-income children in case elementary and secondary schools close.[101] University of California campuses were stockpiling supplies, from paper masks and hand sanitizer to food and water, and were considering screening students for fever when they check into dorms,[101] though it appears they did not end up doing so. The CDC has also advised that schools set aside a room for people developing flu-like symptoms while they wait to go home and that surgical masks be used for ill students or staff and those caring for them.[100] To help prepare for contingencies, University of Maryland School of Medicine professor of pediatrics James C. King Jr. suggests that every county should create an "influenza action team" to be run by the local health department, parents, and school administrators.[102]

In the US, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Department of Education (ED), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have published new guidelines along with a toolkit[103] for Institutions of Higher Education (IHE) to plan for and respond to the upcoming flu season. Government officials are especially concerned because the virus appears to disproportionately affect young people between ages 6 months to 24 years of age, making them one of the top priority groups when it comes to the new H1N1 vaccine. The new guidelines provide a list of strategies to keep learning facilities open while reducing exposure of students, faculty, and staff. They state that the most important actions are to encourage and facilitate good hand washing and covering coughs and sneezes, flu vaccinations for people at risk; and to separate sick people from healthy people as soon as possible.[104] The CDC recommends that colleges should consider suspending fall 2009 classes if the virus begins to cause severe illness in a significantly larger share of students than last spring. They have also urged schools to suspend any rules, including penalizing late papers or missed classes, or requiring a doctor's note, to enforce "self-isolation" and prevent students from venturing out while ill.[105]

[edit] Workplace
The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), with input from the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has developed updated guidance[106] and a video for employers to use as they develop or review and update plans to respond to 2009 H1N1 influenza now and during the upcoming fall and winter influenza season. The guidance states that employers should consider and communicate their objectives, which may include reducing transmission among staff, protecting people who are at increased risk of influenza related complications from getting infected with influenza, maintaining business operations, and minimizing adverse effects on other entities in their supply chains.[106]

The CDC estimates that as much as 40% of the workforce, in a worst-case scenario, might be unable to work at the peak of the pandemic due to the need for many healthy adults to stay home and care for an ill family member,[107] and advising that individuals should have steps in place should a workplace close down or a situation arise that requires working from home.[108] The CDC further advises that persons in the workplace should stay home sick for seven days after getting the flu, or 24 hours after symptoms end, whichever is longer.[99] In the UK, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has also issued general guidance for employers.[109]

[edit] Facial masks
The CDC does not recommend use of face masks or respirators in non-health care settings, such as schools, workplaces, or public places, with a few exceptions: people who are ill with the virus should consider wearing one when around other people, and people who are at risk for severe illness while caring for someone with the flu.[13] There is general uncertainty among health professionals about the value of wearing either facial masks or more expensive respirators to prevent infection. Dr. Laurene Mascola, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health's director of acute communicable disease control, stated that "masks may give people a false sense of security," and associate professor of medicine at the USC Keck School of Medicine Dr. Paul Holtom stressed that masks should not replace other standard precautions.[110] Masks may benefit people in close contact with infected persons but it was unknown whether they prevent swine flu infection.[110] According to mask manufacturer 3M, masks will filter out particles in industrial settings, but "there are no established exposure limits for biological agents such as swine flu virus."[110]

[edit] Quarantines
Countries have begun quarantining or have threatened to quarantine foreign visitors suspected of having or being in contact with others who may have been infected. In May, the Chinese government confined 21 US students and three teachers to their hotel rooms.[111] As a result, the US State Department issued a travel alert about China's anti-flu measures and was warning travelers about traveling to China if ill.[112] In Hong Kong, an entire hotel was quarantined with 240 guests;[113] Australia ordered a cruise ship with 2,000 passengers to stay at sea because of a swine flu threat.[114] Egyptians who went on the annual Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca risked being quarantined upon their return.[115] Russia and Taiwan said they would quarantine visitors from areas where the flu is present who have fevers.[116] Japan quarantined 47 airline passengers in a hotel for a week.[117] India suggested pre-screening "outbound" passengers from countries thought to have a high rate of infection.[118]

Literary Forum

Here we can discuss literary issues, comment books, articles and papers of any kind. Welcome!

English Literary Forum – Club de lectura

Habla sobre cualquier tipo de expresión literaria. Recomiéndanos tus autores favoritos y comparte tus comentarios con nosotros.
Our writer is:
Doris Lessing Read online and discuss: The Golden Notebook Project
Visit us on http://firstvirtual.ning.com/group/literaryforum

Business Writing La comunicacion escrita del momento para el sector de negocios y empresas

Business Writing

La comunicacion escrita del momento en Ingles para el sector empresario y de negocios.
Temario Modulo 1 The different types of business correspondence and what makes them different in terms of structure and use.

Modulo 2 The different types of styles of writing in terms of tone (being formal, neutral or informal).

Modulo 3 Writing e-mails.

Modulo 4 An introduction to report writing.

Modulo 5 Message functions – a look at the range of business communication.

Inicio: 16 de Noviembre

Duracion: 4 semanas.

Solicite aqui mas informacion y costos. Importantes descuentos para profesionales o personal de una misma empresa.

Este curso se encuentra disponible en modalidad a distancia y online.

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Business Writing
La comunicacion escrita del momento en Ingles para el sector empresario y de negocios.
Temario Modulo 1 The different types of business correspondence and what makes them different in terms of structure and use.

Modulo 2 The different types of styles of writing in terms of tone (being formal, neutral or informal).

Modulo 3 Writing e-mails.

Modulo 4 An introduction to report writing.

Modulo 5 Message functions – a look at the range of business communication.

Solicite aqui mas informacion y costos. Importantes descuentos para profesionales o personal de una misma empresa.

Este curso se encuentra disponible en modalidad a distancia y online.

Visitanos en http://www.first-v.com.ar y entra a nuestro chat para reservar tu curso o hacer tus propuestas

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