tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6357026555577605135.post3043189388967459017..comments2023-10-11T05:10:59.975-07:00Comments on kimchi-icecream: Being sick and actually having a sympathetic and understanding co-teacher . . . somebody pinch me!!!Jasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14403839433187045342noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6357026555577605135.post-58546802409295155232009-09-21T21:10:42.034-07:002009-09-21T21:10:42.034-07:00I hope you're feeling better by now, and that ...I hope you're feeling better by now, and that you will stay that way. <br /><br />FDA approved vaccines against influenza A (H1N1) (1) which gives support for government plans to provide mass vaccination programs for H1N1 later this year. <br /><br />Such plans are irrational and based on fear mongering and not on a "common sense and self control" policy (as proposed by Spanish physicians and other health professionals (2).<br /><br />We strongly disagree with mass vaccination, which is based on several false assumptions.<br /><br />The first assumption is that the H1N1 pandemic will mimic the Spanish flu of 1919. This is highly unlikely as the Spanish flu was a pandemic flu in a very poor world, with no public health systems, no tap-water and no antibiotics for complications. <br /><br />In support of this the Spanish flu killed mainly poor people; for example, in India it killed soldiers (in warehouses, bad food, bad hygiene conditions) but not officers (good food, British style houses etc.).<br /><br />The second assumption is that H1N1 flu is severe and deadly. There is substantial evidence that that is not the case and in fact the mortality rate from H1N1 flu is much less than seasonal flu (3).<br /><br />The third assumption is that the vaccine will work. The immunologic response is not a guarantee that the vaccine will reduce severe infections and mortality. Demonstration of that benefit requires large RCTs (randomized controlled trials), which are lacking for both H1N1 vaccines as well as for seasonal flu vaccines.<br /><br />The fourth assumption is that the H1N1 vaccine will provide similar immunity to the natural infection. Immunity to viral flu has a very interesting peculiarity that is known as the "original antigenic sin" (4). This concept means that the first flu virus we are exposed to generates the strongest immune response and that immunity lasts for over 50 years. <br /><br />It explains the fact that people over 50 years of age appear to have some immunity to the H1N1 virus because a similar influenza A virus, circulated globally from 1918 to 1957. Thus it appears that natural infection creates immunity for 50 years at no cost as compared to influenza vaccines, which require one (or two) shots annually to achieve a lesser degree of immunity.<br /><br />We therefore recommend that most if not all H1N1 vaccine be used as part of placebo controlled RCTs to establish whether the benefits outweigh the harms. Without such an approach, in September 2010 we will again be in a position of not knowing who to vaccinate. Similar RCTs are also badly needed for seasonal flu vaccine as the long-term effects of annual flu vaccination are unknown, and there is a good chance that the harms of annual flu vaccination as compared to no vaccination outweigh the benefits.<br /><br />Juan Gérvas <br />www.equipocesca.org<br /><br />Rural general practitioner, Canencia de la Sierra, Garganta de los Montes y El Cuadrón (Madrid), Spain<br /><br />Visiting professor Primary Care, Dept. International Health, National School of Public Health, Madrid, Spain<br /><br />Honorary professor Public Health, Dept. Public Health, Autonomous University, Madrid, Spain<br /><br />Equipo CESCA, Travesía de la Playa 3, 28730 Buitrago del Lozoya, Madrid, Spain<br /><br /><br /><br />James (Jim) M Wright<br />Professor<br />Dept. of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology & Therapeutics<br />2176 Health Sciences Mall<br />Vancouver, B.C. V6T 1Z3, CanadaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6357026555577605135.post-46403122420625337682009-09-15T15:35:07.579-07:002009-09-15T15:35:07.579-07:00It is good to see a little understanding of the Ko...It is good to see a little understanding of the Korean perspective. There really is no system of substitutes here and when one takes a day off for a sick day, havoc ensues. <br /><br />I do get tired of reading comments from people who complain about the way things go down here when more often than not, the complainer shows little understanding of the other's point of view. Happens more with newbies, of course, but others that have been here for years and years and years still fall into the habit. <br /><br />Having never taught in the public schools in Korea, my perspective his heavily skewed by all of the wonderful teachers I've taught in the TESOL program at my university; some of whom are there by choice, others not. I also have worked a lot more with the elementary school teachers, so they tend to be a bit more likely to try new approaches and are less weighed down by suneung prep. <br /><br />You won't really see changes in the Korean high school English classes until the culture of systematic cramming ceases to exist,and I don't see that happening any time soon.<br /><br />You seem lucky to have an understanding co-teacher.<br /><br />Oh, one question. How many co-teachers does one typically have in one year? Do you change with the semester, the quarter, or at the whim of the school principal? If you have a good match, is there the option of staying with that person or are you to be spread around and shared like a good (or bad) pet?<br /><br />I guess that's more than one question.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15673778203788557804noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6357026555577605135.post-18633534671610097612009-09-15T06:04:58.986-07:002009-09-15T06:04:58.986-07:00Hope you feel better soon!
And remember to bring ...Hope you feel better soon!<br /><br />And remember to bring your co-teachers a small present when you return, like a coffee drink or yogurt. It's a nice little custom here that lets them know you feel bad for making them cover you. :-)<br /><br />Sounds like you lucked out on your new school!Dianahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03708273691893291730noreply@blogger.com