H1n1 fourm. Can we really really have one? why not?

[ilovemyavery]

I have to add my vote to the idea of a designated place for H1N1 threads. I can see a temporary sub-forum in Health and Healing or something being appropriate. This is really a pretty unprecedented global flu pandemic. Yes, we have the flu every year, yes, this seems to be not much worse, if worse at all, then the seasonal flu. But it is different, it is scary and it is (IMO) worth a special, temporary subforum. I've seen numerous H1N1 threads closed, and the big monthly thread in the vax forum is way to much to negotiate easily. It would be nice to have one place to go, rather than debate where it's best, then have it closed or moved.

[rhianna813]

I am also in favour of a special temporary H1N1 flu forum and am surprised there is not already one. At the top of the forum in hot pink it reads:

"Mothering is pleased to announce our Swine Flu Special Report. Do you have questions about Swine Flu (H1N1) and seek helpful, expert advice?
Mothering has knowledgeable experts ready to answer your questions regarding the flu and vaccines."

For me, this reads that MDC has elevated H1N1 flu to special status and wants it's members to know all the facts and get questions answered. So I was surprised to not find a specific forum.

I completely understand not wanting to play into the hype, but the hype is hard to avoid. In my area one grade school (the one my neice goes to) has 1/2 the students out. And supposedly if I am around anyone with a fever or flu like symptoms I am supposed to inform my manager and HR. Sheesh.

A temp forum might be a good way to spread helpful related info the pertains to all flu, including the swine flu. Education now can help prevent hysteria down the road when the next "big one" hits. Also a good place to get support for those of us not taking the mainstream route and/or looking for alternatives.

Rhianna

[alexsam]

Well, posting on these boards in a forum setting such as this is really not "asking experts". You really need to think about most people's responses as an oppinion, as there is very little you may know about a poster or their sources (unless they give a specific website). So, there are NOT experts at the ready for answering "mothering.com" questions. It is VERY important to understand that these forums do have lots of great information, but they are not a pannel of medical experts .

However, mothering magazine (of which these forums are an offshoot) DOES have a section of articles (with legitimate sources) related to H1N1 from the "mothering" perspective (http://www.mothering.com/health/swine-flu). So, these would be the "experts" you are talking about. See? It's already there!

Also, Peggy O'Mara's article this magazine was on fear (specifically talking about the H1N1) and is worth a read: http://mothering.com/peggyomara/qped...ls/killer-fear

[BellaClaudia]

Originally Posted by alexsam

Well, posting on these boards in a forum setting such as this is really not "asking experts". You really need to think about most people's responses as an oppinion, as there is very little you may know about a poster or their sources (unless they give a specific website). So, there are NOT experts at the ready for answering "mothering.com" questions. It is VERY important to understand that these forums do have lots of great information, but they are not a pannel of medical experts .

However, mothering magazine (of which these forums are an offshoot) DOES have a section of articles (with legitimate sources) related to H1N1 from the "mothering" perspective (http://www.mothering.com/health/swine-flu). So, these would be the "experts" you are talking about. See? It's already there!

Also, Peggy O'Mara's article this magazine was on fear (specifically talking about the H1N1) and is worth a read: http://mothering.com/peggyomara/qped...ls/killer-fear

I entirely understand your point and with all due respect I do believe that
however those articles and experts articles do have so much to offer, they indeed are very different in character then the forum is.

We do not only need an expert advise that is actually easier find then anything else, but what some of us really need is actual sharing our
feelings emotions and ideas as a group. We are being bombarded by the scaring information and scare tactics of many sources around that is why
we could use a forum where we could actually stick together and feel togetherness in regards to our balanced and well informed opinions that is much with a tune with anti vaxx in general.

I think that the self censhorsip that we are experiencing here is bit overbearing... after all the same can be said aobut the nursing, the nighttime parenting and any other topics..

of course we who post and read here are not for most parts experts but dealing with the everyday and very problems make our statements valuable enough for others to share, to read to compare, to find light, direction, ideas
etc..

many people who are deailing wiht flu or delt with it like to share, compare and ask questions and surely enough they could be directed by many to apropirate links, and for most parts most of them already did or are but something is lacking.. greatly..
that comunal option of sharing the journey through difficult times.

apparently fear of giving into the hype is overrated since I think it is only normal to have some concerns in this time and sharing them or looking for answers here where we all come to our calming source of mathernal wisdom of mothering.com crators and members is what we could all use..

of course we can do without but it is almost like we are prohibited of talking about it on dedicated forum in fear of us doing some naughty...
something that mama does not like us to talk aobut..
like we all here are "incapable" of intelligent thought and
as someone is fearing that we will only be posting hyper scary posts..
or something? I still don't get it.

thank you.