Getting 'up to speed' on the latest flu information.
We need to stay on our toes. So says Assembly Democrat Chuck Benedict of Beloit. The Chairman of the Committee on Public Health says they had already scheduled a public hearing on other bills of interest, and recently decided to focus on the public concern and potential health problem of the H1N1 virus, the so-called swine flu.
"When there is a public health threat we can swing into action. You know, that's not the time to start having a deliberative process on this. That's why I don't think we're going to be debating any new laws. What we're going to do is try to get the information out to people."
Benedict says the public hearing on Tuesday at the capitol is not only for informational purposes, but they want to prevent the spread of disinformation.
"And one of those things is … well we hear, you know, the swine flu, and people think pigs and then they say 'Oh my God, I better not eat any pork.' We don't want people to avoid eating pork because there's no risk of getting the swine flu from eating pork."
They'll also talk about what it means to have the governor declare a Public Health Emergency.
Benedict says we need to find a middle ground between extreme isolation versus frequent socializing; Nobody wants commerce to stop, but he says even more schools might have to be closed down to play it safe.
Benedict says it's unclear just how much morbidity and mortality will result from the outbreak. He says it's better to prepare for the worst but hope for the best.
NOTE: The Swine Flu and State Preparedness will be discussed at the public hearing on Tuesday, 10:45 am, 417 North, State Capitol.
AUDIO: Jackie Johnson report (1:29 MP3)
