Ohio Will Distribute Rabies Vaccine to Wild Raccoons By Air

If the State of Ohio can vaccinate all raccoon population by air, who's to say that a State cannot distribute a mass vaccine to its human population by air?

Federal, state and county health officials will distribute baits laced with an oral rabies vaccine to immunize wild raccoons in 16 Ohio counties beginning today.

Most of the 877,680 baits will be distributed by air over 4,761 square miles in two areas: Northeast Ohio and along Ohio's eastern border.

Source: Akron Beacon Journal

Is North Carolina Preparing for an H5N1 Avian Bird Flu Outbreak? (Pandemic Advertising)

Take a look at the above billboard near Jacksonville, North Carolina. This billboard is a little scary, because isn't the government preparing us for the H1N1 "swine flu" virus? A bird flu outbreak would be deadly due to bird flu's high fatality rate which can reach 60% in many instances.

If we are preparing for a swine flu outbreak, then why isn't there a pig on this billboard instead of a dead bird? Why would a State government even be thinking about and/or preparing people for the H5N1 bird flu? Does this relate to the draft North Carolina swine flu isolation order that has been recently released?

Is this H1N1 mutating into some form of H5N1? Evidence shows that it may be possible, because several people have been infected recently with both H1N1 and H5N1.

Many questions. So few answers.

You can watch video of the billboard by clicking this sentence.

Source: atticus9799

Obama Joker Posters in Memphis, TN (Includes George Bush Too)

UPDATE: Apparently, the video has been taken down by WMC-TV.

Editor’s note: WMC-TV has apparently filed a copyright infringement claim with YouTube and the original news report was removed. A search using YouTube’s search engine, however, produces dozens of videos from the Memphis television station. None of these videos were removed due to copyright violation, leading us to believe the removal has nothing to do with copyright — it has to do with the Obama Joker poster and WMC-TV’s biased “reporting” of the incident.

Activists Topple Towers, Claim Dangers of AM Radio Waves - CNN.com

I understand wanting to help the planet, but aren't there other battles to be fought to protect the planet instead of going after AM towers?

What about the cancer cells in the vaccines? The Great Pacific Garbage Patch? The genetically modified seeds and foods? The Alaskan blob? Or the depletion of rare earth metals from the production of hybrid vehicles?

The Earth Liberation Front (ELF) issued a statement saying opponents of the towers argue that "AM radio waves cause adverse health effects including a higher rate of cancer, harm to wildlife, and that the signals have been interfering with home phone and intercom lines."

"When all legal channels of opposition have been exhausted, concerned citizens have to take action into their own hands to protect life and the planet," Jason Crawford, a spokesman for the group, said in a news release.

Activists topple towers, claim dangers of AM radio waves - CNN.com

Nobel Laureate: Obama is Making the Same Mistakes That the Great Depression Policymakers Made

The proof is in the pudding. The economy is not doing any better and we're nearing 100 banks closing this year alone. I say the FDIC reaches the magical 100 number within the next three (3) weeks. As a result, I would have to give a negative approval to Obama's financial and economic work and agree with the new report saying that Obama's mistakes are the same mistakes made by the people who brought us the Great Depression back in the 1930s.

His policies even have the potential to consign the US to a similar fate as Argentina, which suffered a painful and humiliating slide from first to Third World status last century, the paper says.

There are "troubling similarities" between the US President's actions since taking office and those which in the 1930s sent the US and much of the world spiralling into the worst economic collapse in recorded history, says the new pamphlet, published by the Institute of Economic Affairs.

Source: London Telegraph

Record Unemployment Rates for College Graduates in the United States (w/State By State Delinquency Map)

As someone who is a product of the university and student loan system for many years of my professional college career, I understand the issues facing former students who hold student loan debt obligations to the various private world banking institutions and corporate entities. When Student X walks across the stage at Alma Mater U. with his $200,000+ degree, many times he/she is walking away with an equal amount of debt owed to ABC Bank.

In better times, students were better able to secure employment upon graduation, so making student loan payments was much easier for the mid-20s corporate paper pusher with a steady paycheck with benefits. Those jobs do not exist anymore and/or pay much less. College graduates are feeling the biggest effects and the biggest unemployment rate ever on record at 16.8.

I have yet to see to the above delinquency map on any other site, so I will give props to MyBudget360 for producing it. You can read the full article on its site by clicking below.

With the recent unemployment rate hitting 9.7 percent officially, the wider ranging U-6 rate hit a record of 16.8 percent. The market took the 216,000 job losses as good news but the recession is much deeper than the headlines are showing. If you dig deep into the report, you will find a few curious observations. First, the teenage unemployment rate is the highest in nearly half a century coming in at over 24.2 percent. Now this rate is always high but only in August of 2008, it was at 17.8 percent. Another observation in the report that we find is those with college degrees are facing the highest unemployment in two decades since records started being kept.

Whether you go to college or not, you will need to develop skills where you are able to create valuable tangible goods or provide services in your specific areas of interest. Simply going to college and amassing large debts is often not the best option. Mechanics, electricians, computer repair specialist and plumbers who own their businesses can make comparable, if not, better salaries than their professional counterparts who often have to repay hundreds of thousands of dollars in student loan debt over thirty (30) years.

If you have a valuable or possess a skill that very few people have, then you will always be indispensable in any environment. And if you happen to really enjoy using this skill, then the sky is the limit for you and your family.

Harold Ford, Jr. States the Left Will be Disappointed in Obama's Joint Session Speech on Wednesday

Harold Ford, Jr. states the left will be disappointed in Obama's speech this Wednesday to the Joint Session of Congress to discuss health care reform.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Source: This Week with Barack Obama Blogspot

FLASHBACK: Eagle Eye (Movie Trailer)

I just saw this Eagle Eye movie for the first time last night and loved it! It is definitely a keeper in the DVD decks. This movie pretty much confirms everything that has been written on this blog about unmanned aircraft and enterprise architecture computer systems.

Obama's Energy Czar Van Jones Resigns His Post!

I do not agree with the communist beliefs of Mr. Van Jones whatsoever, but I do feel a certain sense of sadness toward his situation. He is a man from west Tennessee. He is an California attorney. And he was a nerd growing up as a kid. I feel like Van Jones would be a cool brother with whom to discuss politics.

With that being said, Mr. Jones has resigned his post as President Obama's green czar. There was just too much fire for Mr. Jones to remain in the White House after his earlier statements were released. Beck the Clown focused much of his television shows last week to detailing every controversial statement of Jones over the last few years -- many of which were way left of the political spectrum. After these statements were exposed, there was no hope for Van Jones and he had to figuratively jump on the grenade for Obama to save the day. Otherwise, Jones would have become a completely polarizing figure who would have been an easy target for the Republicans.

After more than a week of withering criticism for past comments, Jones has resigned as an advisor to the White House on green jobs.

The White House announced the news in the early hours of Sunday morning. In a statement, Nancy Sutley, Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, thanked Jones "for his valuable contributions to the Council on Environmental Quality. Over the last six months he has been a strong voice for creating 21st century jobs that improve energy efficiency and utilize renewable resources. We appreciate his hard work and wish him the best moving forward."

I must give Beck the Clown credit, because he did make Van Jones famous. I had no clue about Jones until Beck started dissin' him every episode.

Source: CBS News

2,000 Washington State University Students Sick with H1N1 "Swine Flu" During 1st Two Weeks of School!

I have a bad feeling that we will be seeing this story all over the mainstream media to further hype the H1N1 "swine flu" and the need for vaccinations to the masses. During the first couple of weeks of the school year at Washington State University in Pullman, 2,000 students have been infected with the H1N1. If the infection was Ebola or avian flu, then it would be an issue, but this has been a relatively minor flu.

More than 2,000 Washington State University students have been sickened by swine flu during the first two weeks of classes, school health officials said.

I wonder if WSU will require mandatory vaccinations of its students.

Source: The Spokesman-Review

FLASHBACK: Multiple Bombs in the Oklahoma City Murrah Federal Building (Local TV Reports)

North Carolina H1N1 "Swine Flu" Isolation Order (State Health Director Document)

UPDATE (09/08/09) -- Why is there an H5N1 bird flu preparedness billboard near Jacksonville, North Carolina when all the hype is on the H1N1 swine flu?

***

If you get infected with the H1N1 virus in North Carolina, you may be subject to a quarantine. To read the draft document created by the North Carolina Department of Health, click this sentence. If you violate the order, you may be subject to two (2) years in prison.

ISOLATION ORDER
Swine Influenza A (H1N1) Infection
DRAFT

You may have been exposed or are reasonably suspected of being exposed to swine influenza A (H1N1) and have developed some symptoms of swine influenza infection. If swine influenza spreads in the community, it will have severe public health consequences. Your illness requires that you be isolated and requires further public health investigation and monitoring.

I, [name of health director] of [name of agency], pursuant to authority vested in me by North Carolina General Statute (NCGS) 130A-145, issue this ISOLATION ORDER to [name of person].

You are required to remain at the following location [_______________________ ] through __________ [seven days after onset of symptoms] or 24 hours after symptoms resolve, whichever comes later, or until notified by the health department that additional information demonstrates that you are not infected with the swine influenza virus.

You are required to:

• Follow these instructions for the duration of this order.

• Contact the health department if, during the duration of this order, your symptoms become worse, or you develop any new symptom such as fever, headache, muscle aches or respiratory difficulties, including sore throat, cough or breathing difficulties. If you require medical care during the duration of this order, you are required to notify your medical provider or emergency responder of your diagnosis in advance so that appropriate precautions can be taken.

• Comply with other requirements based on individual circumstances of the isolation or the disease:___________________________________

If you fail to comply with this ISOLATION ORDER, you will be subject to prosecution pursuant to NCGS 130A-25, which provides for imprisonment for up to two (2) years, as well as pretrial detention without bail under NCGS 15A-534.5 (emphasis added).

The staff of this Health Department is available to provide assistance and counseling to you concerning your swine influenza infection and compliance with this ISOLATION ORDER.

The authority of this ISOLATION ORDER to restrict your freedom of movement expires in 30 days from the date of this order unless extended or modified by a court pursuant to NCGS 130A-145. You may petition the Superior Court for review of the restriction of your freedom of movement contained in this ISOLATION ORDER pursuant to NCGS 130A-145(d).


________________________________
Health Director
Date:_________________________
Time:_________________________

Issued by:_________________
Date:_____________________

I have received the original copy of this order:

________________________________
Patient Signature Date

Source: CDC

Iowa Department of Health Antiviral Shortage Order

To download the Order from the CDC, click this sentence.

This is an additional document to review in connection with the recent Iowa Quarantine Order documents. This Order will be used if the State runs low on its supply of anti-virals. However, I do believe that these are only draft documents.

BEFORE THE IOWA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH
_________________________________

ANITVIRAL SHORTAGE ORDER

__________________________________

Pursuant to the authority contained in Iowa Code sections 135.142 and 135.144(3), the Iowa Department of Public Health hereby issues the following order:

Public Health Disaster Declared: The Governor of the State of Iowa issued a proclamation of disaster emergency and public health disaster on May 1, 2009, in response to the outbreak of Novel Influenza A (H1N1) in the state of Iowa. The outbreak has resulted in a statewide and regional shortage of tamiflu (oseltamivir phosphate) and relenza (zanamivir). The Iowa Department of Public Health is therefore authorized to control, restrict, and regulate by rationing and using quotas, prohibitions of shipments, allocation, or other means the use, sale, dispensing, distribution, or transportation of tamiflu (oseltamivir phosphate) and relenza (zanamivir).

Order issued to: All Iowa licensed health care providers, hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, local boards of health, public health agencies, and [insert any other applicable groups]

Conditions of Order: Due to the current shortage of tamiflu (oseltamivir phosphate) and relenza (zanamivir) in the state of Iowa, you are hereby ordered to immediately comply with the following to protect the public health and prevent and control the spread of Novel Influenza A (H1N1):

1) You shall CEASE offering, dispensing, distributing, or administering tamiflu (oseltamivir phosphate) and relenza (zanamivir) to anyone who is not in a priority designation. Individuals in a priority designation include:

[insert priority list]

You are prohibited from offering, dispensing, distributing, and administering tamiflu (oseltamivir phosphate) and relenza (zanamivir) to any person who is not included in a priority designation.

2) You shall cooperate with the Iowa Department of Public Health and local boards of health or health departments to assess and monitor the antiviral supply and coordinate the administration of these antivirals to persons in priority designations.

3) You shall cooperate with the Iowa Department of Public Health and local boards of health and health departments to redistribute the antivirals as needed in order to protect those at highest risk of contracting or developing severe symptoms of Novel Influenza A (H1N1).

4) You shall prominently post this Order in locations where these antivirals are administered.

Violation of Order: Pursuant to Iowa Code section 135.38, an individual who violates this Order may be subject to criminal prosecution.

In addition, health care providers who violate this Order shall be referred to the appropriate professional licensing board for investigation and possible disciplinary action.

If you have any questions regarding this Order, please call [insert phone number].

Effective date of order: [insert dates]

Executed by:

_____________________
Director or Medical Director
Iowa Department of Public Health


_____________________
Date

Source: CDC

Tacoma-Pierce County, Washington State Group Emergency Detention Order for Pandemics!

To download this Washington State Group Emergency Detention Order in PDF, click here.

GROUP EMERGENCY DETENTION ORDER


The group described herein, ____________________, (description of group, including number of individuals within the group) and named individually on the attached Confidential Schedule, is hereby ordered to detention at:
_____________________________
(premises subject to isolation and quarantine)

pursuant to WAC 246-100-040 et seq.. Your isolation or quarantine

commences on _____________ and _______________________.
(date) (time)

This Order will remain in effect until __________ and ________,
(date) (time)

unless otherwise rescinded, but not to exceed 10 days.

Suspected Communicable Disease or Infectious Agent if Known: __________
_________________________________

Reasons for Isolation of Entire Group, Including Reason for Grouping of Detention Order (Examples include, but are not limited to, a group that came in on a ship or airplane):
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________


Measures Taken by Local Health Officer to Seek Voluntary Compliance OR Basis For Which Local Health Officer Determined Seeking Voluntary Compliance Would Create Risk of Serious Harm:

[ ] The group has refused the local health officers attempt to obtain voluntary compliance.

[ ] The local health officer has determined that seeking your voluntary compliance of the group would create an imminent risk of serious public harm. This determination was based upon the following:

_______________________________
_______________________________.

[ ] Other:_______________________________
______________________________________.

Medical Basis on Which Decision to Isolate or Quarantine Is Justified:

[ ] The group is suspected of having been exposed to ___________ and is potentially currently infectious to others..

[ ] The group has been diagnosed with an active case of ______________ and is in all likelihood currently infectious to others.

[ ] Other: ______________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________.

Special Instructions:
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________

It is very important for the protection of your own health and that of others that this group abide by this emergency detention order. If you have any questions about this order or need assistance in complying, please call: _________________.

The Health Officer may petition the Superior Court for an order authorizing continued isolation or quarantine for a period up to 30 days.

__________________________________________
Local Health Officer or His Designee
Tacoma-Pierce County Health Deptartment.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

You have the right to a petition the Superior Court for release from isolation or quarantine in accordance with WAC 246-100-055. You have the right to legal counsel. If you are unable to afford legal counsel, then counsel will be appointed for you at government expense and you should request the appointment of counsel at this time. If you currently have legal counsel, then you have an opportunity to contact that counsel for assistance.



I, __________________________________________, (group member) acknowledge that I have received a copy of the Emergency Detention Order, and that I have read or had read to me said Order and understand the terms therein.


Signed _________________. Dated this _______ day of _____________, 200___.

Internal use only:


Dated this ___________________day of __________, 20_____.

Date copies of Written Order was delivered to person or group of persons: _______________________. Method of delivery: personal service______; registered mail_____. If the order relates to a group and the order is posted, date and location of posting: _____________.

FDIC Friday Night Feast (Bank Closing List - September 4, 2009)

As of 7:42pm PDT, the FDIC has closed five (5) banks -- First Bank of Kansas City, InBank of Oak Forest, Illinois, Vantus Bank of Sioux City, Iowa, Platinum Community Bank of Rolling Meadows, Illinois and First State Bank, Flagstaff, Arizona.

First Bank of Kansas will cost $6 million against the FDIC insurance fund. InBank will cost $66 million against the FDIC insurance fund. Vantus Bank will cost $168 million against the FDIC insurance fund. Platinum Community Bank will cost $114.3 million against the FDIC insurance fund. First State Bank will cost $47 million against the FDIC insurance fund.

The total amount charged against the FDIC insurance fund today is $401.3 million! I will update this list as more bank closings, if any, come in today.

Bank Name	City	State	CERT #	Closing Date	Updated Date
First State Bank	Flagstaff	AZ	34875	September 4, 2009	September 4, 2009
Platinum Community Bank	Rolling Meadows	IL	35030	September 4, 2009	September 4, 2009
Vantus Bank	Sioux City	IA	27732	September 4, 2009	September 4, 2009
InBank	Oak Forest	IL	20203	September 4, 2009	September 4, 2009
First Bank of Kansas City	Kansas City	MO	25231	September 4, 2009	September 4, 2009
Affinity Bank	Ventura	CA	27197	August 28, 2009	September 2, 2009

Source: FDIC

Federal & State Pandemic Quarantine and Isolation Authority (Report to Congress)

You can download the full Congressional report discussing the government's quarantine authority by clicking this sentence.

The President's quarantine authority stems from Executive Order 13295 signed by George W. Bush on April 4, 2003, as amended by Executive Order 13375 on April 1, 2005, and it covers the following list of communicable diseases: cholera, diphtheria, infectious tuberculosis, plague, smallpox, yellow fever, viral hemorrhagic fevers, SARS, and influenza caused by novel or reemergent influenza viruses that are causing or have the potential to cause a pandemic.

The United States is currently at W.H.O. Phase 6 as a result of the H1N1 "swine flu." Phase 6 is pandemic level. Therefore, Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has the authority under Presidential Executive Order Section 13295 and section 361 of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act, 42 U.S.C. § 264 to make and enforce regulations necessary "to prevent the introduction, transmission, or spread of communicable diseases from foreign countries into the States or possessions, or from one State or possession into any other State or possession."

The report states that a person will be subject to misdemeanor criminal charges for violations of federal regulations issued pursuant to section 361 of the the Public Health Service (PHS) Act, 42 U.S.C. § 264, including federal quarantines or isolation orders. If you break the federal quarantine, you will be subject to the following:

A person may be subject to a fine of up to $250,000, one year in jail, or both. Organizational violations may be subject to fines of up to $500,000 per event. Federal district courts may enjoin individuals and organizations from violation of CDC quarantine regulations.

The report also discusses the Model State Emergency Health Powers Act. I do not know too much about this act, so I will do some further research.

The Model State Emergency Health Powers Act (the Model Act) seeks to “grant public health powers to state and local public health authorities to ensure a strong, effective, and timely planning, prevention, and response mechanism to public health emergencies (including bioterrorism) while also respecting individual rights.” It is important to note that the act is intended to be a model for states to use in evaluating their emergency response plans; passage of the Model Act in its entirety is not required, so state legislatures may select the entire model, parts of it, or none at all. Many states have used parts of the Model Act while tailoring their statutes and regulations to respond to unique or novel situations that may arise in their jurisdiction. The Model Act provides a comprehensive framework for state emergency health powers, including statutory authority for quarantine and isolation. Section 604 of the Model Act authorizes the quarantine or isolation of an individual or groups of individuals during a public health emergency. The Model Act encourages the public health authority to adhere to specific conditions and principles when exercising quarantine or isolation authority. These conditions and principles include ensuring that the measures taken are the least restrictive means necessary to prevent the spread of the disease; monitoring the condition of quarantined or isolated individuals; and providing for the immediate release of individuals when they no longer pose a substantial risk of transmitting the disease to others. The Model Act provides that a failure to obey the rules and orders concerning quarantine and isolation shall be treated as a misdemeanor.

There have been a lot of questions about how NORTHCOM is ready to mobilize domestically in this H1N1 pandemic and has provided Secretary of Defense Robert Gates with an order for authorization. Unless this pandemic causes people to riot and wild out, any military use will likely violate Posse Comitatus.

Courts have held that, absent a recognized exception, the Posse Comitatus Act is violated when (1) civilian law enforcement officials make “direct active use” of military investigators, (2) the use of the military “pervades the activities” of the civilian officials, or (3) the military is used to subject citizens to the exercise of military power that is “regulatory, prescriptive, or compulsory in nature.” To the extent that quarantine enforcement measures involve the compulsion of civilians to remain in or leave an area, for example, it appears that the Posse Comitatus Act would be implicated. Thus, unless a pandemic were to lead to significant civil unrest or call for other military activity already authorized pursuant to existing exceptions, Congress would have to enact a law to authorize military enforcement of health measures.

Source: Congressional Research Service

Secret Trucks Carrying Nuclear Weapons Around the U.S. Without Warning!

If you see the above truck driving through your 'hood, it may be carrying deadly nuclear weapons and dangerous materials. Proceed with caution!

The idea of nuclear weapons being carted around in our highways, cities and neighborhoods doesn't really put one's mind at ease. However, the government has been transporting seriously dangerous stuff like enriched uranium and plutonium secretly without public warning. Friends of the Earth through the Freedom of Information Act has forced the Department Of Energy to release color photos of the trucks used to transport weapons. According to FOE, these are the first of such pictures that have been released in many years.

Source: The Huffington Post

The Federal Reserve Balance Sheet (An Interactive Look Inside the Numbers)

Click the picture to bring up The Wall Street Journal's interactive balance sheet.

Maine Governor Baldacci Signs Civil Emergency Proclamation Due to H1N1 "Swine Flu" (Statewide Vaccination Program Next)!

Thank you, Governor John E. Baldacci (not!). Maine is now under a civil emergency due to the H1N1 "swine flu" which still has killed very, very few people in the overall scheme of things. It appears that the globalists are going for broke using this swine flu hype as cover.

Governor Signs Civil Emergency Order to Fight Flu, Facilitate School-Based Vaccinations

September 1, 2009
Governor's Office

AUGUSTA – Governor John E. Baldacci today signed a Proclamation of Civil Emergency Due to a Highly Infectious Agent to allow the State to better respond to the potential dangers of H1N1 flu and to facilitate a statewide vaccination campaign.

“Maine has been proactive in its response to this new flu,” Governor Baldacci said. “But as the school year begins, we must continue our vigilance, which will require a responsible and aggressive vaccination and public education campaign. It’s our goal that every person in the State has access to vaccines for the seasonal and H1N1 flu.”

Many school districts reported that a concern about potential liability was putting at risk their ability to participate in vaccination clinics. The proclamation protects school districts and other vaccination clinic participants from liability.

The Proclamation also will provide immunity from tort liability for approved health care workers who administer the flu vaccines.

The Maine Center for Disease Control, the Department of Education and the Maine Emergency Management Agency will coordinate and facilitate the implementation of school supported vaccine clinics for both the seasonal flu and H1N1.

“While the vaccines are voluntary and the final decision is left to parents, it’s important that as many schools as possible participate so that every child in the State has access to this important preventative treatment,” Governor Baldacci said. “We know that controlling the spread of the flu in schools is one of the most effective ways to slow the disease.”

On June 11, the World Health Organization declared a global pandemic of H1N1. Since its initial detection in March, the virus has spread through 53 American states and territories and more than 200 countries. In June, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius made a PREP Act emergency declaration (Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act), granting immunity from tort liability in regards to H1N1 vaccines. In July, Secretary Sebelius renewed a determination that a public health emergency exists nationwide.

On April 29, Governor Baldacci signed an executive order that activated the State’s H1N1 Response Committee, which includes the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Maine Center for Disease Control, MEMA, the Department of Education and the Governor’s Office.

The text of the proclamation follows:

Proclamation of Civil Emergency Due to a Highly Infectious Agent

Pursuant to the authority vested in the Office of the Governor of the State of Maine, and pursuant to the relevant provisions of 37-B M.R.S.A. �� 703, 741, 742, 784-A and 822, I, John Elias Baldacci, Governor of the State of Maine, issue a Proclamation of Civil Emergency as follows:

1. Background and Need

On June 11, 2009 the World Health Organization declared a global pandemic of the 2009 Influenza A (H1N1) virus and raised the pandemic alert level to Phase 6. Since the initial detection of the virus in March and April, 2009, it has spread through 53 American states and territories and over 200 countries, resulting in over 180,000 laboratory confirmed cases and over 2,000 deaths. The 2009 Influenza A (H1N1) virus is the predominant influenza virus in circulation worldwide and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has predicted a significant increase in cases in the fall of 2009 and winter of 2010. On July 24, 2009 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, acting pursuant to her authority under section 319 of the Public Health Service Act, 42 U.S.C. �247-d-6, renewed the April 26, 2009 determination by former acting Secretary Charles E. Johnson that a public health emergency exists nationwide involving 2009 Influenza A (H1N1) which affects or has significant potential to affect national security.

To prevent the incidence and severity of seasonal influenza and 2009 Influenza A (H1N1), the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have established guidance for the vaccination of at risk populations, based upon the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. With respect to seasonal influenza, it is recommended that all children between the ages of 6 months and 19 years be vaccinated for seasonal influenza. With respect to 2009 Influenza A (H1N1), it is recommended that the entire U.S. population be vaccinated, with initial vaccination afforded to high risk groups defined by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Funding for the seasonal influenza vaccination is provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and the Fund for a Healthy Maine. Funding for the 2009 Influenza A (H1N1) vaccine is provided by the federal government.

Several state agencies are involved in planning for the administration of statewide seasonal influenza and 2009 Influenza A (H1N1) vaccinations. The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention and Maine Department of Education are organizing a statewide campaign to provide seasonal influenza and 2009 Influenza A (H1N1) vaccination to children in school based clinics and other community based organizations. Once the 2009 Influenza A (H1N1) vaccine is available in October, 2009, the Maine Center for Disease Control will coordinate and facilitate the provision of the vaccine throughout the State of Maine in accordance with the guidance of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The availability of statewide school based vaccination clinics for seasonal influenza and 2009 Influenza A (H1N1) is threatened due to concerns about potential liability relating to the administration of the vaccines. These current conditions, including the imminent threat of influenza pandemic, constitute a threat to the safety and welfare of the people of the State of Maine and constitute a civil emergency or disaster within the meaning of the relevant emergency management statutes.

1. Mission and Scope

To respond to the current public health emergency, I order and declare the following:

A. A civil emergency is imminent, caused by the public health emergency.

B. The Department of Health and Human Services, Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention and Maine Department of Education shall coordinate with the Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management, Maine Emergency Management Agency to identify those health care workers duly licensed and authorized to administer influenza vaccines in the State of Maine who are able and available to participate in the planned vaccinations for seasonal influenza and 2009 Influenza A (H1N1).

C. The Maine Center for Disease Control, Department of Education and Maine Emergency Management Agency shall coordinate and facilitate the establishment, implementation, administration and operation of school supported vaccine clinics in a manner consistent with the recommendations of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.

D. The relevant provisions of the Maine Pandemic Influenza Plan will be activated to facilitate the distribution and administration of seasonal influenza and 2009 Influenza A (H1N1) vaccines.

E. To the extent necessary to assure the timely provision of seasonal influenza and 2009 Influenza A (H1N1) vaccination in accordance with the guidance of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Maine Center for Disease Control and the Department of Education, the Maine Emergency Management Agency will exercise its authority pursuant to 37-B M.R.S.A. �784-A to designate appropriate health care workers licensed in this State and authorized to administer influenza vaccines to participate in vaccination clinics in accordance with the requirements of this Proclamation.

F. All persons designated by the Maine Emergency Management Agency to participate in vaccine administration pursuant to Paragraph E shall, pursuant to 37-B M.R.S.A. �784-A, be deemed to be an employee of the State and entitled to immunity pursuant to 37-B M.R.S.A. �822.

G. All State departments and agencies shall take whatever actions may be required and requested by the Maine Emergency Management Agency, Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and Department of Education to respond to this public health emergency. A record of such actions, if any, shall be compiled and presented to me by the heads of the affected departments and agencies on a reasonable and timely basis throughout the duration of this Emergency Proclamation.

H. The Maine Center for Disease Control, the Department of Education and the Maine Emergency Management Agency shall coordinate with the federal government to secure all appropriate influenza vaccines related to this public health emergency provided for by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and other federal funds.

1. Duration

Pursuant to 37-B M.R.S.A. �743, this Emergency Proclamation shall expire thirty (30) days from the date of its signature, unless earlier rescinded by the Executive or upon joint resolution of the Legislature terminating the Emergency Proclamation, or unless extended by subsequent action of the Executive.

Given under my hand this 1st day of

September, 2009.

John E. Baldacci

Governor

Source: Maine.gov

Lungs of People Killed by H1N1 "Swine Flu" are Very Similar to Lungs of People Who Die From H5N1 "Bird Flu"

Is there more to this whole H1N1 "swine flu" issue than the media is telling us? It was first reported on here that a couple of patients have been infected with both H1N1 and H5N1 viruses. Now it is being reported by CTV that the lungs of H1N1 victims and H5N1 victims look substantially similar, which would mean that H1N1 may have the potential to mimic H5N1. H5N1 has a 60% kill rate. If you combine H1N1's rapid ability to spread worldwide along with H5N1's kill rate, watch out!

The lungs of people who have died from swine flu look more like those of the victims of H5N1 avian influenza than those of people who succumb to regular flu, the chief of infectious diseases pathology at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control says.

The damage to lung tissue is consistent with that inflicted by ARDS or acute respiratory distress symptom, Zaki says, referring to an often-fatal, difficult-to-treat syndrome that can have a number of causes. The U.S. National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute estimates about 30 per cent of people who develop ARDS die. "In terms of the disease, yes, it (H1N1) is remarkably different than seasonal flu," Zaki says. "The pathology looks very similar to H5(N1)."

Has the H1N1 merged with the H5N1? Has the swine flu merged with the bird flu?

I guess when pigs fly!

Source: CTV