| August 20, 2009
Editorial
Put healthy hygiene practices to work
Jim Blow/Valley Journal
Four-month-old Jude Mergenthaler is learning from his mother, Aleta, the simple, healthy lesson of washing your hands often with soap and water.
By Jim Blow
Editor
Valley Journal
It's that time of year again that kids bemoan and parents look forward to. Though summer vacation is about to end, school is about to begin, with all of its new adventures and learning opportunities.
Still, most kids are hard-pressed to look beyond those lazy, fun-filled days of summer. Many parents, especially working parents, are probably looking forward to seeing their children head back to school instead of worrying about how to keep them actively engaged.
Despite the end of summer vacation, heading back to school is an exciting time for parents, teachers and students. It's that time of year when interest in learning peaks with the outlook of a bright new horizon. New challenges, new faces, new experiences, all part of the growth and development of our children.
The first day brings new challenges, too. Children will struggle at times to absorb new curricula, plus feel out where they are comfortable in new social experiences. Teachers will try to keep each student challenged, yet keep the group moving forward at a manageable pace for everyone.
Parents and teachers must also help keep their students motivated and adaptive, whether class is too difficult or too easy for a class full of young people whose social and cognitive skills are developing at their own pace.
School staffs are also focused on providing a safe and healthy learning environment. With the extra media and government attention paid to the H1N1 virus (also known as Swine Flu), special emphasis is being placed on preparing schools and children to minimize the impact of the inevitable flu season.
The H1N1 strain is already in Lake County. In early July we reported on a case of a 69-year-old woman who was diagnosed with the virus. Health officials believe she contracted it out of state, but it was the first case of H1N1 in the county.
As of Aug. 14, there have been two identified cases of H1N1 influenza in Lake County. Both patients were treated and recovered at home. One death in the state has occurred due to complications of the virus, but there were other underlying health problems and it is not a cause for an alarm, according to Lake County Health Department officials.
The Lake County Public Health Department emphasizes that symptoms of H1N1 influenza are the same as the symptoms of seasonal influenza in humans and include: fever greater than 100 degrees F, sore throat, cough, stuffy nose, chills, headache and body aches, and fatigue. The recommendation is to go see a doctor if you feel sick enough. But, if you are only mildly sick, stay home.
Lake County Public Health recommends the same precautions used to help limit the spread of seasonal influenza would also apply to the H1N1 influenza, and include:
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people. Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
• If you get sick, The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
National health officials are working on development of a special flu shot series to deal with H1N1, but don't think one vaccine will do it all. Don't forget to get your regular, seasonal influenza shot. You'll still need it.
This vaccine covers three influenza viruses that are expected to show up in North America this fall and winter. Although it is not possible to predict the exact extent to which this year’s vaccine will be a good match with these seasonal influenza viruses, the vaccine is the best single step towards protecting yourself and your loved ones, according to state medical officer Dr. Steven Helgerson.
“It is important to note that the protection you get from the vaccine will not wear off before the influenza season is over,” Helgerson said. DPHHS has sent recommendations to health care workers across the state to start administering the vaccine for seasonal influenza as soon as they receive it, which can be as early as late August.
For most people, H1N1 influenza is causing mild illness. However, it can be very serious for people with preexisting or underlying medical conditions, according to Helgerson.
“Nothing we have seen so far in the United States suggests that the HlN1 influenza virus is more dangerous than influenza viruses that circulate every year,” Helgerson said. “Tragically, influenza causes about 36,000 deaths each year in the United States and about 100 in Montana.”
Please don't underestimate the serious nature of the H1N1 virus, but please don't overreact to it either. This virus, like so many others, can be fought off by our bodies' immune systems for the vast majority of people who become infected. For others in high risk groups, the H1N1 virus and others can cause serious illness and should be appropriately referred to your family doctor.
A vaccine should be available this fall and is exactly the sort of preventive medicine that those in high risk groups should consider. Not everyone may need it and ramping up production of the vaccine may equate to recommending the vaccine for only those in high risk groups, at least until production can meet demand.
The Centers for Disease Control's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has recommended certain groups receive priority when the H1N1 vaccine first becomes available. Those groups include: pregnant women, people who live with or care for children younger than six months of age, health care and emergency services personnel with direct patient contact, children six months through 4 years of age, and children 5 through 18 years of age who have chronic medical conditions.
Then, when vaccine supplies allow it, providers should begin vaccinating everyone from ages 25 through 64 years. Current studies indicate the risk for infection among persons age 65 or older is less than the risk for younger age groups. Therefore, as supply and demand for vaccine among younger age groups is being met, programs and providers should offer vaccination to people over the age of 65.
Despite the delay of delivery of the vaccine until at least October, we can still do a lot to protect our health and that of our children. We can start by reenforcing those simple hygiene practices that our mothers taught us. Cover your mouth, wash your hands often with soap for as long as it takes to sing "Happy Birthday" twice to yourself, and keep your hands out of your mouth.
Mom always did know best.
Letters to the editor
Some Pioneer Days events unsavory
Editor,
When I was young on the farm, I learned easily that I could be friends with the animals. I learned that they had feelings and personalities of their own, and they helped me acquire respect and compassion.
I have many pictures that showed me caring for and enjoying the chickens and cows. That's a part of how I want to remember my childhood.
My parents aren't here anymore, but somehow I know that if there had been events that terrorized animals for fun and entertainment, they wouldn't have taken me to them. That's a part of how I want to remember my parents.
Shirlee Glade
Ronan
Masses have power to influence health care change
It is simply amazing to me that there is actually protest against the "public option" feature in the health care overhaul proposal. Talk about "cutting off your nose to spite your face."
With no competition from a public option, private health insurance companies will continue to raise premiums and pad their profit margins. USA Today reports employers could see insurance cost rise 9 percent in 2010 and employees can expect their costs to increase by double digits. The protesters who want elimination of any public option had better keep their checkbooks handy.
Often, for reasons that have nothing to do with heath care and everything to do with anger, fear, prejudice, racism and political wrangling, the bulk of the American population is being "sold down the river".
When are we, as a nation, going to wake up? Why do we seem to wait until the disasters are upon us before we establish sensible, non-partisan, and best-for-all programs and policies?
Some say, "I don't want big government telling me what to do." Okay, but how about the millions and millions on Medicare? What would happen if we suddenly eliminated the "big government" program of Medicare? It's fine to puff out the chest with the independent spirit and talk big with buddies over coffee or something stronger, but what happens when you have a medical need that presents you with a bill for $50,000 or more? The chest, and your life, caves in just a bit, for sure.
I still say that good and affordable medical insurance and care should be a right and not a privilege only for those who can afford it. Our system of big money influence will continue to dictate policy until we, the powerful masses of average Americans, pull together rather than blindly following the lead of many of the fear-filled, greedy and grumpy members of the House of Representative and Senate, and some media personalities, simply because of membership in a particular political party.
Let's get over the fear and wrangling and on with wisdom and inspired action.
Bob McClellan
Polson
Thanks for helping with the Skate Jam
Editor,
I would like to thank the businesses and people for their donations and assistance with the 2009 Polson Skate Jam.
The skateboarders of Polson and beyond thank you.
See you at the Skatepark.
Dever Graham
Polson
Come enjoy Shakespeare and picnic dinner
Editor,
For the past several summers, The Ninepipe Arts Group (NAG) has appealed to the business community and individual patrons to assist with sponsorship for a performance by Shakespeare in the Parks Touring Company at Palmer Park in Charlo. This year, NAG would like to say “the Bard is on us!”
Thank you to all the businesses and people who have helped us make Shakespeare in the Parks an annual event. Now it’s our turn to give back.
We invite everyone to join us for a pleasant evening under the willow trees to enjoy Master William’s “The Tempest”, Saturday, Aug. 22 at 6 p.m. Please come early to enjoy a picnic dinner concession. Serving will begin at 4:30 p.m. In case of rain, please come to the Charlo Gymnasium.
NAG would also like to take this opportunity to thank Dixon and Charlo Schools for their assistance with the ninth annual Fine Arts Camp this year. We received generous support from the CCLC (21st Century) Grant to help cover expenses for the camp, attended by over 60 students.
Our organization is very appreciative of the support we receive from the schools and community to assist with our cultural projects. Working together we can bring many interesting and good things to our valley, for all ages to enjoy. See you at the park.
Caroline Myhre
President, The Ninepipe Arts Group
Charlo
How fortunate I am to live here
Editor,
A month or so ago, I had a couple reminders why this valley is such a great place to live.
While floating the Flathead from Buffalo Bridge to Sloan's Bridge, I was reminded that, while the river is a beautiful and awesome place to spend a weekend afternoon, it also demands your respect and constant attention. I somehow managed to wreck not one, but both of my boats, submersing both of my sisters (who will never be confused with Michael Phelps), along with six others.
Thanks to some quick assistance from Steve Wagner and Dean Hertz, and their motley crews, they were able to salvage everything that floated. I found myself with a canoe submerged upside down, tied to my little runabout, which was standing on it's head, and my battery, glasses, tackle box, camera and other odds and ends at the bottom of the river.
Here's where the second part comes in. Thanks to some behind the scenes help from Willie Birthmark, Jim Allen and others, I eventually recovered my boats and most of the important stuff. Thanks to Dan and Jim (you understand why I can't identify you and thank you properly), for rescuing the runabout, Colt Jore for floating by the shipwreck the next day and salvaging both motors and my fish finder, which doesn't work worth a hoot anyway, and my fishing rods, and a special thanks to Crystal Doty and family, for finding the canoe washed ashore far downstream.
Crystal took the time to check the paper for lost and found items, contacted me, and tried to refuse my modest reward. Thanks to Colt for delivering my motors and fish finder to my front yard.
It's folks like these, and acts like these, that convince me that I live in the last best place, indeed. Thanks again to all, and may God bless you.
John Plouffe
Ronan
Economic doubt makes salary increase unwise
Editor,
A tribal member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes who seeks to be elected to the tribal council should be aware of the duties, responsibilities and salary of the tribal council.
Tribal department heads and staff must meet education and professional standards.
To compare CSKT pay scale of the tribal government with a population only about 7,000 members to the State of Montana elected officials governing a population of over 650,000 is not logical.
Management should consider tribal revenue and manage expenses accordingly.
The tribal council has the authority to remedy any perceived disparity in the tribal pay scale while considering the economic position of the tribe.
To give the tribal chairman, James Steele, Jr., a salary increase from $41.88 per hour to $56.26 per hour making a salary of $117,000 per year is totally insane due to the economic uncertainty of the tribes projected deficit — being $1,236,904 short for fiscal year 2010.
I would hope that the tribal council will take action to rescind the chairman's pay raise as well as the acting secretary of CSKT, Jane Clairmont's salary increase.
Louise Stasso
Arlee
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Aug. 13, 2009