Announcement

**Cairelle RN** · September 5, 2009, 10:47 PM

Re: What Are We Doing Here?

Thank YOU for speaking up on our behalf. I appreciate your time and dedication. Please don't apologize - you did something very selfless during a time of great emotional stress.

I'm so sorry for your loss. *hugs*

**Blue** · September 5, 2009, 10:59 PM

Re: What Are We Doing Here?

Thank you, Sharon. By doing what you do so well, you have supported the work of many, and have helped to educate others even beyond this forum.

I know that you did us all proud.

**Evelyn** · September 5, 2009, 11:20 PM

Re: What Are We Doing Here?

I'm very sorry for your loss, Sharon. I'm grateful that you've continued your important work even at this hard time--but please take care of yourself too.

Evelyn

**tropical** · September 6, 2009, 12:49 AM

Re: What Are We Doing Here?

Condo. and thank you very much renewed, Sharon (thanks to others also).

As I said once, we can only play with the remaining cards we have.

Anyway all the main decisions came, and will come, from the same already structured decisional folks worldwide,
so it is better partecipating and said what it need, than be cutted out (as Snowy said).

And the message was delivered:

#1:
"We delivered a message of hope. Of compassion. Of concern for all humanity.

We stopped the show when we spoke.Everyone listened. There was silence."

___

The off records from there is not as important for the future scenarios, as it was the seemingly silence from many health professionals worldwide to their patients about the real state of the matter.
They shield themself by such instructions ("seasonal-like", "no closures/masks", "no panic", "nothing much could be done") officialy coming from their scientific public health advisors and the WHO.

So, maybe the continuation of shield-population shaped sci. papers delivered as a challenge based on actual facts from the field to professional decisions makers (WHO is cited from the countries advisors, than cited from local ones when they decide which policy to apply), could make further spread-slowing/... adaptations of such policies where it is needed.

**prepdeb** · September 6, 2009, 06:28 AM

Re: What Are We Doing Here?

Florida1,

I know how difficult it must have been to make that journey at a time when you were experiencing personal loss and pain. Your dedication to this effort made it possible.

Accurate information, preparation and warning could make such an enormous difference in the outcome of this and any other emerging threat. So many people have felt empowered after finding this site and the information tirelessly gathered and shared here.
While it?s not a magic pill or vaccine, fair warning and preparation is no small matter.
We can?t guarantee that we won?t become infected and we can?t know that we?ll survive if we are, but we can learn how to reduce the risk and assure that we won?t perish from starvation or exposure.

A few have been critical of the FT participation in the recent meeting and that puzzles me.
In my mind, FT being invited to attend is wonderful, regardless of what transpired at the meeting. Networking, credibility and influence are no small things.
If a person has something important to say, but is locked in an empty auditorium to shout it out endlessly, it will have no impact.
However, if that person is able to chat about it with one or two people who make decisions impacting millions, it could have a huge impact.

Thank you again for doing what you do, even when it must be extremely difficult.
Perhaps the critics are just a little too stressed right now to step back and see the bigger picture.

**sharon sanders** · September 6, 2009, 06:51 AM

Re: What Are We Doing Here?

Thanks everyone. Unfortunately it appears that as a result of the continuous libel and defamation of character against me by a person who posts on these flu forum sites, I have received a threat from a different person in the real world.

I will hold the person who has posted these things on the internet accountable if any harm comes to me or my near ones. In addition, I will be alerting the local authorities to the situation and who the instigator is. My address is on public record as the office for FluTrackers. My family is vulnerable.

When you post inflammatory comments about someone on the internet an extremely negative outcome can occur.

**prepdeb** · September 6, 2009, 07:03 AM

Re: What Are We Doing Here?

OMG Sharon. It never crossed my mind that anyone involved in the squabbles would act that way. I am so sorry to hear that - not only because of the risk to the safety of you and yours, but because it's so disappointing to learn that people we thought we sort of knew would behave to irrationally.

It seems the number of cyber-bullies is on the increase.
Even if it was a baseless threat, it increases the stress level for everyone involved.
I hope the person(s) is properly punished. They've earned it.

**sharon sanders** · September 6, 2009, 07:09 AM

Re: What Are We Doing Here?

The person who made the threat is not the same person who has been posting the inflammatory material on the internet.

**prepdeb** · September 6, 2009, 07:21 AM

Re: What Are We Doing Here?

Originally posted by Florida1 View Post

The person who made the threat is not the same person who has been posting the inflammatory material on the internet.

I'm glad you know who the person is and are taking the situation to the authorities. Your well-being will be in our thoughts.
I wish there was more we could do to help.
If there is, just let us know.

**lulu2** · September 6, 2009, 10:37 AM

Re: What Are We Doing Here?

Seriously, someone threatened you because of your involvement with this website? I know it is hard, but that is exactly the reason you continue. It is cheesy, but one of my favorite quotes is from a West Wing episode:
"If they're shooting at you, you know your doing something right."

Thank you for all you do, and take care of you and your family.

**JimO** · September 6, 2009, 09:27 PM

Re: What Are We Doing Here?

Sharon,

You have my full support in everything you do. I will keep doing what I'm doing, but would like to help in any other way if I can.

Jim

**Roehl_JC** · September 6, 2009, 10:33 PM

Re: What Are We Doing Here?

Bless you Florida1:

Your work here is invaluable for one and all. I'm sorry you lost someone in your family, and I feel your anguish over any provocations leading to someone/anyone daring to threaten you.

The great news is that you've flown to DC and provided Washington with your knowledge and insights as many FluTrackers already value your efforts here.

Keep up the good work ))

You are much loved and respected. You made me smile today and gave me and others hope, and as I've been subjected to threats in my life, I want you to know we ask the angels to watch over you and yours always.

**Readymom** · September 6, 2009, 10:34 PM

Re: What Are We Doing Here?

Sharon take care. Stay safe. -k

**sharon sanders** · September 7, 2009, 03:09 AM

Re: What Are We Doing Here?

Thanks everyone.

The various states are beginning to pass laws against cyber-bullying. The continuous defamation of character of someone on the internet falls into this category. I ignored this for years but now it is apparently has reached the level of incitement and now my safety is a concern.

People should be careful what they post against someone. Not only do libel laws apply but also there is no control over what 3rd parties might do after reading this material.

A recent news article about cyber-bullying:

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/stcharles/story/8AB6F2E2AECA2EE586257616000AAD81?OpenDocument

Announcement

What Are We Doing Here?

What Are We Doing Here?

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment