There is some controversy over whether the Flames jumped the queue in terms of being able to get their H1N1 flu shots. It seems some of the general public is still waiting for theirs.
Is this story simply a concoction to generate news or is there an underlying genuine concern?
I wonder how many other NHL teams had access to the vaccine and got their teams done without a whimper from the public. Was it a secret NHL policy to protect their players and their fans?
Re: Calgary Flames' H1N1 shots.....priviledge or necessity?
November 5 2009, 3:29 PM
It's not a concern for me, I've already got my shot. But really, professional sports teams have lots of money and always get primary health care ahead of the general public. This shouldn't be a surprise to any sports fan. Have you ever tried to get an MRI done or an x-ray or any other kind of test or treatment. Most people have to wait weeks, even months for proceedures. NHL players can get an MRI done within an hour or two after an injury. When you have money and connections, anything is possible.
On Monday last my wife was taken into Southlake Hospital Emerg.
The hallway was jammed with patients on gurneys waiting to
to see a Dr. Around 900am I overheard a EMR worker say to the
patient in front of us its too bad that its been so long.
The guy asked if he could go to the washroom when he got off the gurney he still had on his hockey pants. He had been there since the night before and still hadnt seen a Dr.
Re: Calgary Flames' H1N1 shots.....priviledge or necessity?
November 5 2009, 5:00 PM
From what I read here: http://www.health.alberta.ca/ it looks like many people have had a chance to get the shot who are in the prime risk groups. Not sure how accurate the facts are. If I was an Oiler fan I'd be upset.
Re: Calgary Flames' H1N1 shots.....priviledge or necessity?
November 5 2009, 5:37 PM
And here is another take on the H1N1 vaccine and its' apparent shortage.
It seems, according to this, that there was a conscious effort by some important to make it sound like there might be a shortage of the vaccine. Simply to increase the public's demand for it.
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Laughter as dignitaries discuss tricking public into taking H1N1 vaccine
Steve Watson
Tuesday, Nov 3, 2009
A recording of a recent Council On Foreign Relations symposium reveals attendees discussing ways and means of getting the public to take the H1N1 flu vaccine in spite of the increasing public resistance revealed by polls released in September and October.
The recording dates from October 16 when the CFR held a Symposium in New York entitled Pandemic Influenza: Science, Economics, and Foreign Policy.
The meeting was held in order to encourage a consensus for policy to present to the federal government concerning the swine flu "pandemic."
In attendance were professors and doctors from several influential universities and medical schools, along with media representatives from Science Magazine, The Canadian Press and The Financial Times.
Other notable attendees included Robert E. Rubin, Former U.S. Secretary of the Treasury and current Co-Chair of the CFR, along with John Lange, Senior Program Officer of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundations Global Health Program.
During part of the discussion (see transcript)on whether or not the vaccine should be made mandatory for health workers and school children, Lone Simonsen, Research Professor and Research Director at the Department of Global Health, George Washington University, suggests creating an artificial scarcity in order to ramp up demand for the vaccine.
"I think what would work better would be to say that there was a shortage and people tend to buy more of something thats in demand. (Laughter.) We saw that there was one season where, really, people lined up all night to get a flu shot." Simonsen says, much to the amusement of the other attendees at the symposium.
This message has been edited by wexdog on Nov 5, 2009 7:30 PM
Re: Calgary Flames' H1N1 shots.....priviledge or necessity?
November 5 2009, 6:31 PM
Bludna, I was talking about professional athletes, not recreational hockey players. If it was an NHLer there's no way he would have spent the entire night on a gurney in an emergency room hallway.
When we use the OHIP card, on the Ontario government, we have to wait 'in line' for our turn. Everyone equal, those who got there first are treated first, emergency cases obviously get to the head of the line.
When someone comes in and pays their own way, not on the government's tab, then of course they get immediate treatment. They are paying their own way after all.
I do not have a problem with the Leafs, Raptors or the Flames(or anyone) buying their way ahead of others when they use their own money.
They are doing a lot of traveling and close contact both in game situations and in the general public all over North America.
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09,11,01
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Re: Calgary Flames' H1N1 shots.....priviledge or necessity?
November 6 2009, 4:05 PM
I agree with Wex on this, and always have.
I have always believed that a two-tier health system, where those who can afford to pay their own way can get immediate treatment, would be the best way to alleviate wait times in this country. Think about it...in a system where everyone is treated equally, you are pushed to the back of a long line for certain procedures and treatments, a line which may include a number of people who could afford to pay for treatment in a two-tier system.
If all of those people had that option and took it, the line ahead of those of us who cannot afford that option shrinks.
Also, if they had the option of providing private care, I believe this country would lose a lot fewer of its quality doctors to other countries.
Re: Calgary Flames' H1N1 shots.....priviledge or necessity?
November 6 2009, 5:32 PM
You already have a two tiered system Canadian or American.
If you dont like universal health care then go to the USA.
The availability of h1n1 serum is less than here so good luck.
Re: Calgary Flames' H1N1 shots.....priviledge or necessity?
November 6 2009, 5:52 PM
American is two-tiered? Are you nuts?
In the U.S., health care is for the rich, and the middle and lower classes get the leftover crumbs, period. Ordinary, everyday people go bankrupt DAILY over health care costs.
That is nowhere close to what I am suggesting.
You don't think that Joe Blow making $30,000 a year but on L.T.D. due to something that requires surgery would be grateful if the ones before him who could afford private care were off the list, thus bringing his operation up sooner than it would otherwise be? Are you kidding me?
I do not have a problem with a two tiered system as long as the ' pay your own way ' group only gets treatment faster, not better. If you are relieving the burden on the government, then you should get in that line which will always be shorter.
Support Our Troops !
Go Leafs !
Go Jays !
Go Raptors !
Go Argos !
Go Rock !
Go TFC !
Go Nationals !
WEXDOG is a Cowboys Fan ! 5-2
09,11,01
Lest We Forget
11,11,11
Re: Calgary Flames' H1N1 shots.....priviledge or necessity?
November 6 2009, 9:29 PM
Necessity is the answer. All NHL teams should be receiving it to help prevent the spread from one region to the other. Got mine last week without priority!!!!
