Reader comments
Swine flu claims first Utah victim
45 comments | Read story
Anonymous | 1:22 p.m. May 20, 2009
What? Did he have any other existing health problems. Please inform.
Aaron | 1:32 p.m. May 20, 2009
They don't want to tell you he had other existing illnesses. It would
dimish the power of the crazy swine flu
Anonymous | 1:37 p.m. May 20, 2009
The press conference confirmed he had chronic health problems that may have
contributed.
Comments continue below
Anonymous | 2:03 p.m. May 20, 2009
Actually according to the State Health dept. quoted in the other newspaper,
"The first Utahn believed to have died due to the new H1N1 swine flu was a
young person who did not have underlying health issues.
Where'd you read they'd confirmed he DID have other issues?
Where'd you read they'd confirmed he DID have other issues?
In the meantime | 2:04 p.m. May 20, 2009
Just to keep things in perspective....
While one guy was dying of pig flu, 100 Americans and 600 people worldwide have died of the regular flu.
While one guy was dying of pig flu, 100 Americans and 600 people worldwide have died of the regular flu.
G.S.H | 2:06 p.m. May 20, 2009
Why is there swing flu in utah where it come from is it here to get everyone
sick because they are alot of people getting sick in the worl
ah | 2:19 p.m. May 20, 2009
Everyone run, the pig flu is here
Anon | 2:40 p.m. May 20, 2009
Musta watched a Porky the Pig cartoon to soon after a Pepe Gonzales one. Throw
in a Tweety bird episode and there you have the Swine-Bird Flu from Mexico.
ARF | 2:46 p.m. May 20, 2009
The article said that he had been battling other illnesses all Spring. Just
thought I'd point that out for you.
1st celeb to die of swine flu | 2:49 p.m. May 20, 2009
The first celeb fatality: Kermit the frog, and we know who's responsible.
She was his significant other and enjoyed mud baths.
Aaaaaah | 3:25 p.m. May 20, 2009
PANIC!
annoyed! | 3:54 p.m. May 20, 2009
People making jokes about the swine flu following a story about a young man who
has died is just sick and wrong! Don't you people have any sense of right
or wrong? A MAN DIED FROM THE SWINE FLU!!! Take a good look at yourself in the
mirror and ask "Would I be making fun of this if this was my son that
died?"
Mr. Lalo | 4:12 p.m. May 20, 2009
I honostly think that the whole issue about the swine flu is over talked. I am
currently working in Mexico City and I can tell you that that swine flu should
not be a big deal. Yes, people can get infected and yes people can die...but the
chances of dying are way too low. I agree with "While one guy was dying of
pig flu, 100 Americans and 600 people worldwide have died of the regular
flu." Think over look at the swine flu. Just keep yourself clean, run from
people who seem to have symptomes and you will be okay.
thanks for celeb comment | 4:19 p.m. May 20, 2009
Hey whoever wrote the Kermit the frog comment, THANK YOU. Hilarious. I needed a
good laugh. I'm sick of hearing about swine flu....
People get sick. People die. Wash your hands, get enough sleep, eat right, and keep living your life. No panic here.
People get sick. People die. Wash your hands, get enough sleep, eat right, and keep living your life. No panic here.
RE: Annoyed | 4:23 p.m. May 20, 2009
Relax. We are all dying, none of us gets out of this alive. The humor is a way
of dealing with death. This humor wasn't a personal attack on the young man
that died, its an editorial on the news media's reporting. Thousands have
died in the last few months from the regular flu, AIDS, Cancer etc. yet the
swine flu deaths get front page news. I'm sorry for the grief of the
family. I'm also an optimist, I believe he lives on.
JB | 4:24 p.m. May 20, 2009
Thank you, annoyed. I was thinking about friends and relatives of this young man
who will get on here and read the comments and it sickens me.
As far as the underlying health conditions, I take that with a grain of salt. One man who died of this flu who was in his fifties was reported as also having health problems. All he had was gout which has no effect on flu. With two other cases, it was also reported that they had health problems and both families denied this.
Because of the initial hysteria, now the pendulum is swinging the other way. Most people are totally ignorant of the fact that most first waves of pandemics are mild. I hope you can still joke about this if there is a second wave.
BTW, almost all flu deaths are the very old or babies and/or people with diabetes, heart disease, cancer or other very serious illnesses.
As far as the underlying health conditions, I take that with a grain of salt. One man who died of this flu who was in his fifties was reported as also having health problems. All he had was gout which has no effect on flu. With two other cases, it was also reported that they had health problems and both families denied this.
Because of the initial hysteria, now the pendulum is swinging the other way. Most people are totally ignorant of the fact that most first waves of pandemics are mild. I hope you can still joke about this if there is a second wave.
BTW, almost all flu deaths are the very old or babies and/or people with diabetes, heart disease, cancer or other very serious illnesses.
DSC | 4:33 p.m. May 20, 2009
Let's just get this straight. A man died who had the Swine Flu Virus, along
with several other underlying health issues. So, it sounds to me that he was
very sick before he became infected with the H1N1 virus. This seems to be the
case. Most, if not all, of the deaths "caused" by the Swine Flu are
people who were already in a weakened or terminal condition. But you would have
to dig pretty deep to get that info. It just kills the sensational aspect of the
story.
Cats | 5:12 p.m. May 20, 2009
The young man had other underlying health problems, but the swine flu obviously
was at least a contributing factor.
My heart goes out to his family at this time.
Some of you people are really insensitive.
My heart goes out to his family at this time.
Some of you people are really insensitive.
What a shame! | 5:15 p.m. May 20, 2009
If you don't have anything kind or nice to say, please, don't say
anything at all! What a shame!
A 21 year old young man has died! Bottom line, he was way too young to die! The comments that have been made regarding how he died and the needless attempts to make this sad story a funny one is both APPALLING and PATHETIC!
A 21 year old young man has died! Bottom line, he was way too young to die! The comments that have been made regarding how he died and the needless attempts to make this sad story a funny one is both APPALLING and PATHETIC!
Loralai | 5:29 p.m. May 20, 2009
You know what is really making me mad about the situation, all the media reports
that are WRONG. I'm not an alarmist by any step but every blasted time we
hear of a swine flu death it immediately says "underlying health
condition." We now have seen TWICE this is not the case. Pregnant woman who
died? They repeated over and over she had underlying health conditions. Husband
came on TV just yesterday to tell the world this is wrong. There was nothing
wrong with her. Assistant Principal in NY who died, the media again proclaimed
"underlying health conditions". Family came on TV and said this was
absolutely false. He had gout which in no way contributed.
So why isn't the media telling the truth? Is it the Dr.'s just too afraid to start a panic? I'm sick of the reporting going on by the media where they are not giving the correct information.
Tell it like it is. Healthy people are dying from it. Which is why it's cause for a slight concern, because the regular seasonal flu kills yes... but the majority are the elderly and the young children.
So why isn't the media telling the truth? Is it the Dr.'s just too afraid to start a panic? I'm sick of the reporting going on by the media where they are not giving the correct information.
Tell it like it is. Healthy people are dying from it. Which is why it's cause for a slight concern, because the regular seasonal flu kills yes... but the majority are the elderly and the young children.
Lies | 5:30 p.m. May 20, 2009
Of course something "other" then the Swine flu kills the people.
Getting pneumonia as a side effect of the Swine flu can technically be ruled as
a non-swine flu death. And the media can proclaim this as an
"underlying" health condition. How much do you want to bet that this
man's "underlying health conditions" were directly related to the
Swine flu.
And the blatant misinformation going on about diabetes, obesity and more in this article is absolutely WRONG. Shame on the Desert News for posting that. Read your facts at the CDC. The editors of this newspaper should immediately post a retraction of that false information.
And the blatant misinformation going on about diabetes, obesity and more in this article is absolutely WRONG. Shame on the Desert News for posting that. Read your facts at the CDC. The editors of this newspaper should immediately post a retraction of that false information.
cinbu | 5:43 p.m. May 20, 2009
Okay, apparently it is easier to make with the flip answers than it is to think
about the story. Flu attacks the very old and the very young... the fact that
this flu is attacking 20 somethings is very significant. Now is not the time to
panic, but to get prepared. Fall is coming... and if this virus mutates like
Spanish flu did, it will not be a joke. My prayers go out to the parents and
family of that young man.
John | 5:46 p.m. May 20, 2009
Kermit The Frog is dead????....what will Miss Piggy do????
Re: Medical "advise" | 6:04 p.m. May 20, 2009
I would like to have a job proof-reading.
"Advise" is a verb, and "advice" is a noun. Here are examples of how to use them correctly:
Advise (verb) " I advise you to wash your hands and avoid the sick."
Advice (noun) "It is good advice to wash your hands and avoid the sick."
"Advise" is a verb, and "advice" is a noun. Here are examples of how to use them correctly:
Advise (verb) " I advise you to wash your hands and avoid the sick."
Advice (noun) "It is good advice to wash your hands and avoid the sick."
If you're beyond the fifth grade | 6:09 p.m. May 20, 2009
You really need to read the last four paragraphs of the story before you keep
laughing.
Anonymous | 6:13 p.m. May 20, 2009
If you seriously want to get a point across to people, consider shortening the
article and getting directly to the point. Consider making two articles if you
have two main ideas.
If those commenting here are a good sample of your readers, this article is more than they can handle in one sitting.
If those commenting here are a good sample of your readers, this article is more than they can handle in one sitting.
JB | 11:21 p.m. May 20, 2009
The article in the Tribune says the underlying health problem was sleep apnea.
The mom said she knew of no other health condition. The last few weeks he has
been suffering from a respiratory illness which is most likely the H1N1 virus
itself.
Rob | 1:21 a.m. May 21, 2009
I am so sorry for the loss of your son. I have a son 1 year older than your son
and I cannot imagine this happening to him. So many people do care and our
families thoughts and prayers are with you.
Lisa | 2:14 a.m. May 21, 2009
WE all have to die, theres no way around it, but how dare you joke or take
lightly something you have little knowledge of.
Do some research... and pay attention here. The CDC has repeatedly warned us to stay cautious and that this in NOT going to go away and has a good chance of actually getting worse. so, a brand new flu that has killed ONLY people under the age of 65 here and in MEXICo, should not be something to disregard. AND by the way, the death count in Mexico is alot higher than what is being reported for the simple fact that their outbreak started in March and many were buried before CDC stepped in and started testing. All we are seeing is what was confirmed after CDC stepped in. And they stepped in during the very last days of April.
Be careful my fellows!
Do some research... and pay attention here. The CDC has repeatedly warned us to stay cautious and that this in NOT going to go away and has a good chance of actually getting worse. so, a brand new flu that has killed ONLY people under the age of 65 here and in MEXICo, should not be something to disregard. AND by the way, the death count in Mexico is alot higher than what is being reported for the simple fact that their outbreak started in March and many were buried before CDC stepped in and started testing. All we are seeing is what was confirmed after CDC stepped in. And they stepped in during the very last days of April.
Be careful my fellows!
Lisa | 2:23 a.m. May 21, 2009
Here are some flu facts:
Feel free to google....
1. 95% of deaths from the seasonal flu are aged 65 and over.
2. Every single pandemic in History (except one) has had 2 or 3 waves of illness with the 2nd wave being MORE SEVERE than the first.
3. When a brand NEW flu strain hits the world, 35 to 40 percent of the population will become ill within 1 to 2 years.
4. ALLL deaths from the swine flu HERE and in MEXICO have been in those UNDER the age of 65.
5, FLU season in the USA is OVER by MAY!! not so with this swine!! we have like 8000 cases and its only been here for like 3 weeks.
When you or your family or friends get sick, you wont make light of this situation.
Feel free to google....
1. 95% of deaths from the seasonal flu are aged 65 and over.
2. Every single pandemic in History (except one) has had 2 or 3 waves of illness with the 2nd wave being MORE SEVERE than the first.
3. When a brand NEW flu strain hits the world, 35 to 40 percent of the population will become ill within 1 to 2 years.
4. ALLL deaths from the swine flu HERE and in MEXICO have been in those UNDER the age of 65.
5, FLU season in the USA is OVER by MAY!! not so with this swine!! we have like 8000 cases and its only been here for like 3 weeks.
When you or your family or friends get sick, you wont make light of this situation.
hmmm | 6:11 a.m. May 21, 2009
Excuse me a minute while I worry about this.
Wondering | 6:57 a.m. May 21, 2009
"made the difficult decision early Wednesday morning to let her go."
I thought the flu victim was a "him." Poor reporting, I'm
thinking. Attention to details is a wonderful thing.
Anonymous | 7:14 a.m. May 21, 2009
Wow, the medical ignorance displayed by many of the posters here is appalling.
Has the media beaten this to death? No kidding. But does that make swine flu
any less real or dangerous? NO. I'm not sure why the medical establishment
is feeling the need to state that many of the victims had "underlying"
health problems, but in most of the cases it's not true. For example, my
sons have asthma, a very common problem in the U.S., and they consider that an
existing health problem. The pregnant woman's existing condition was that
she was pregnant! Obesity is also considered an existing condition! I
don't expect a huge outbreak, but am I stupid enough to assume it
can't happen?? Do your homework and read about the 1918 flu--it's
very real. Just because life has been easy and you haven't lived through
the depression, polio, no antibiotics, etc., doesn't mean you're
immune to hard times. Pandemics are real, and we are no more prepared for one
than they were in 1918. Condolences to this man's family.
Let us remember... | 7:44 a.m. May 21, 2009
Doctors are not Gods. That is why they are called "practicing"
physicians. Whether we realize it or not, they do NOT know everything. Just
think about all the people that have been "guinny pigs", losing there
own lives to provide the life saving treatments that were not available 50 years
ago. The Good Lord gave us all brains to think, learn & discover ways to
live, help others live & use that brain to use wisdom in all things.
swissmiss | 7:56 a.m. May 21, 2009
First of all, it is very inappropirate to use this forum to make jokes after
someone has died. What if his family or friends read this blog?
Recently the news said there was a similar outbreak maybe 30 years ago, and possibly older people built up an immunity and didn't even know it. That could be the reason that so many younger people are affected by this particular illness - they have no immunity. Obviously if a person has chronic health problems at any age, their resistance is lower.
Recently the news said there was a similar outbreak maybe 30 years ago, and possibly older people built up an immunity and didn't even know it. That could be the reason that so many younger people are affected by this particular illness - they have no immunity. Obviously if a person has chronic health problems at any age, their resistance is lower.
RE: Lisa | 2:23 a.m. | 8:47 a.m. May 21, 2009
Here's aonther fact that can actually be corroborated on the CDC's
website. Every year 36,000 people die from the regular flu in the US alone. Let
me say that again THIRTY-SIX THOUSAND a year from the normal flu.
I in no way am making light of this individuals situation but I am also not going to panic.
So maybe I should worry more when my family gets the normal flu. Or just not panic and change my habits for one flu bug.
I in no way am making light of this individuals situation but I am also not going to panic.
So maybe I should worry more when my family gets the normal flu. Or just not panic and change my habits for one flu bug.
Claude | 10:46 a.m. May 21, 2009
It seems to me that the media is trying to play down the seriouness of the
situation and we don't want to think that something bad is happening to us.
But the virus is here and is not going away unless we all make an effort to stop
it. We need to be convinced that the virus is a real danger for the health of
everybody. "Underlying conditions" is a term that does not say
anything and we should demand more explanations from our health officials. On
the other hand, the insesitivity of some of the comments written here makes me
think that maybe because some of the victims have been Hispanic, nobody really
cares.
We will be taken care of | 11:19 a.m. May 21, 2009
Soon we will have nationalized health care and more spending on all illnesses.
Within a year or two, there will be no threats. The government will take care
of us all.
Re: Claude | 12:04 p.m. May 21, 2009
If you read other news sources besides DN you find that "underlying
conditions" include respiratory problems complicated by severe obesity. The
head of the hospital where this inidividual died eve said somthing to the effect
of "...this was not an individual in good medical health..." previous
to his contracting the disease.
And equating snarky comments to rascism is irresponsible. Yes some comments here have been insensitive but that doesn't mean those individuals are bigots or rascist. More than likely it reflects a general exhaustion with the histrionics of the news media over the Swine Flu. Rascism is not a tag to be used as an insult or handed out lightly.
And equating snarky comments to rascism is irresponsible. Yes some comments here have been insensitive but that doesn't mean those individuals are bigots or rascist. More than likely it reflects a general exhaustion with the histrionics of the news media over the Swine Flu. Rascism is not a tag to be used as an insult or handed out lightly.
Lisa again | 1:02 p.m. May 21, 2009
I am quite aware that approx. 36,000 people die from flu in the US each year,
However let me reiterate that 95% are over age 65. The reason the CDC and WHO
are media hyping this is not for money. Heck, they are all arguing about whether
or not to produce this vaccine and seems to keep postponing it another month or
two everytime I see an update. They are warning us that this is an IMMINENT
WORLDWIDE PANDEMIC and most of those who will die will be under the age of 65.
I am not paranoid, but i have kids who always brng illnesses home to me, and I
live in Illinois, close to CHicago and there are already cases circulating
"at my back door" Illinois has the highest case count of swneflu more
so than any other state, and CDC has warned us that is will continue to spread
and it WONT go away. This is not the normal flu. It is a brand new strain.
And viruses are living organisms, they adapt, and try to survive. CDc says it
prob willcomebackstronger so, just pay attention to the situation, but live and
enjoy nooneknows when their timeisup!
james stowe | 3:03 p.m. May 21, 2009
Utah is full of swine anyway
Re: Lisa Again | 3:35 p.m. May 21, 2009
I eagerly check the situational updates, but I refuse to live my life in a
constant state of panic, crippled by the worries of a world that so easily spins
out of control. All the purell in the world won't stop me from getting the
Swine Flu. As you said when my time is up, its up, regardless of the face masks
I wear or chose not to. I also am a living organism that adapts and tries to
survive. I just refuse to alter my way of life and my mental stability for
theoff chance I might get sick. I'm from Oakland, Ca - I could get car
jacked, shot, an earthquake could kill me and my entire family, all of which are
also "at my back door." I just won't be held prisoner to worry
and probabilities.
Gen | 1:16 p.m. May 22, 2009
Its a shame the CDC does not (and will not anytime soon im sure) have a vaccine
for this.Think about it, why would they. If there is no vaccine then lots and
lots of individuals keep making lots of money.. Why would they make a vaccine?
To make lots of people better? Then there is no way to make that much money off
this thing we are all scared of. We are not this scared of cancer and there is
no vaccine for it. Shouldn't cancer be a Pandemic no cure or shot for it
and to top it off. Caner don't pick the sick or the old, the young, the
healthy. It don't matter what you are. Washing hands will not stop you from
getting it either. Think of that and are you still scared about the swine flu?
Cass | 9:05 a.m. May 31, 2009
I can't believe some of the things I am reading. I happen to know this
young man and regardless of how he died, he died way too young. He still had
his whole life ahead of him. I do understand that the regular flu kills a lot
more people but that doesn't give us the right to trivialize his death. He
has a family, friends, loved ones just like all of you. Can you imagine someone
you loved dying and reading comments like these?? His family is still hurting,
it does not matter the way he died. Have some respect! My thoughts and prayers
are with the family!
Anonymous | 10:09 a.m. June 11, 2009
okay serious i take dealth serious. but how the heck is bittign each other heads
of about these we need to calm down and look at the fact an epademic means more
then 10 people a it sounds like only a few people have died from these know yes
horrifingly sad as it that those people where effected i don't think the
entire nation should blow these out of porportion.
Add your comment
Comments are monitored. Any comments found to be abusive, offensive, off-topic, misrepresentative, more than 200 words or containing URLs will not be posted.
Words Remaining
E-mail address: For internal use only. We may want to contact you to publish your comment (not your e-mail address) in the newspaper or for a separate story idea.
Salt Lake Valley Health Department Director Gary Edwards speaks Wednesday as Dr. Dagmar Vitek looks on.
Related content
- Obama to suggest Afghan endgame 12:28 p.m.
- New 3rd District judge appointed 12:12 p.m.
- Richmond woman dies after crash 12:10 p.m.
- Prep swim rankings 12:05 p.m.
- Woods' wife asked neighbors to call 12:03 p.m.
- Stocks climb after econ reports 11:57 a.m.
- Missionaries talk to Michigan paper 11:49 a.m.
- Witness: Mitchell wanted attention 11:45 a.m.
- NBC sale to Comcast cleared 11:14 a.m.
- Palin book goes platinum 11:12 a.m.
- 2 citations issued at Y.-U. game
- Hall reprimanded by MWC
- Utes won't respond to Hall
- Mitchell called intelligent, controlling
- Hall's pain reflects self-betrayal
- Daughter: Mitchell fed me my pet
- BYU says Hall incident resolved
- Max Hall: a fixture in rivalry lore
- 'Grandfamilies' a growing trend
- Cougs begin bowl preparations
- Hall mouths off about hate of Utah
900 - Cougars beat Utes in overtime481
- Hall reprimanded by MWC395
- Max Hall issues apology385
- Hall's pain reflects self-betrayal331
- Utes won't respond to Hall269
- BYU says Hall incident resolved154
- BYU is champion of the state140
- Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies124
- Cave to be sealed with body inside120
My husband was teaching his 6th-grade class in Salt Lake last year when...
I wanted to tell them not to go. I dropped subtle hints. "My money is on...
Latest comments
Says you Mike Richards. You are welcome to you beliefs, but Government is...
A spike in sales doesn't necessarily imply growth.
Damian Lillard was the best player on the court. Weber wins that game at the...
Maybe the President knows what many of us don't, but it's hard to see this...
Really?? | 8:50 a.m. Dec. 1, 2009 We will lose more respect???...
In a way he died so that no one will enjoy or die in the cave anymore. IMO, I...
After Chaffetz is done here he will be going back to TMZ to talk about Miss...
One of the most inspiring lectures I ever heard about the Sermon on the Mount...
Chaffetz is soft on terrorism, soft on national security. Where do you...
Well said.
Advertisements