Roy Exum: We All Have A Chance

  • Friday, October 17, 2014
  • Roy Exum
Roy Exum
Roy Exum

The worst story I have read about the Ebola epidemic in Africa centered on a healthcare volunteer whose job it was to be “the keeper of the gate.” He was not a doctor or a skilled nurse – they were in far too short supply -- but it was his dreadful task to determine who was allowed in the clinic and who was too sick to be admitted.

If it weren’t for the gate-keeper, the clinic would surely be over-run and, in the eyewitness account of the writer, it was very easy to see those too ill for treatment. But what would any of us have done to get through that gate? When somebody asks what I want for Christmas my answer is always the same: a chance, and in wretched poverty, if you aren’t in the clinic you haven’t got a chance.

The reason I bring this up is because everybody in America has a chance against a disease that will kill 25,000 of us in 2015. Somewhere between 15 million and 60 million people will get the flu this season. For over 200,000, it will be so bad they will be hospitalized. Believe it or not, we’ll give it to each other much like Ebola victims and, if you unknowingly give it to the elderly and weak, it could be just as fatal. But we have a vaccine – a flu shot – that gives us a chance.

Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease professor at Vanderbilt, said recently there is no doubt the flu shot helps. "We know the vaccine is not a prefect vaccine. But it is a good vaccine, and it prevents many infections and the complications of those infections,” he explained.

“Researchers are working day and night to make a better flu vaccine. We can do a lot of good with our pretty darn good vaccine, while our researchers work to make a better one.”

Dr. Schaffner also said those who fear the flu will not get it from taking the vaccine. “That’s a myth. Scientific studies have shown that many times it was just a coincidence that the person was developing a respiratory infection ... We can tell them with great assurance, other than a sore arm, and about 1 percent of people who get one degree of fever, anything beyond that was not the vaccine.”

Healthcare workers on every level are begging people to take a flu shot. Younger people can use a nasal spray and those over 65 should consider adding a pneumonia vaccine (once every five years) but your chance of avoiding the flu and its misery greatly diminish by taking the vaccine. You want a chance? Take the vaccine. It’s a no brainer.

* * *

D.J. Vanderwerf will get his second start at quarterback for Sweetwater tonight against Polk County and the 6-1, 200-pound junior is a pretty good football player. I’ll even bet that most of the people in the stands won’t be able to tell his left leg is artificial. He was born with a congenital defect but his coach, Craig Moser, told the Knoxville News-Sentinel, “If you tell him he has limitations, he’s going to prove you wrong!”

* * *

A pair of women in Panama City were arrested after they conspired to kill a serpent at a youth football practice. A poisonous water moccasin was seen near the field so April DeMarco borrowed a pistol from Miren Gregory to shoot the snake. Coaches were trying to dispatch the snake with sticks until April came out shooting.

Police promptly arrested April for discharging the gun and arrested Miren for bringing a gun onto school property. Police did not know if the snake perished.

* * *

The next time you hear somebody poor-mouthing the NCAA, consider what the governing body of college sports just did for the Mount Saint Joseph’s women’s basketball team in Cincinnati. The NCAA agreed to let the team open on Nov. 2 instead of Nov. 15 so freshman Lauren Hill will be sure to fulfill her dream of playing college basketball. Lauren has an inoperable brain tumor that has caused doctors to believe her time is limited so the NCAA allowed the season to start early.

* * *

David “The Mailman” Satterfield will be signing autographs at the Firestone Car Show this Saturday in the lot behind the tire store at Northgate. A large number of vintage and antique cars will be on display and proceeds from a “50-50 drawing” will be split between a lucky winner and the Mary Ellen Locher Foundation at Memorial Hospital.

The event, being held from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., is also being sponsored by O’Reilly Auto Parts and State Farm Insurance.

royexum@aol.com
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