Issue date: 10/20/04 Section: Opinion

Our friends in Her Majesty's United Kingdom have shipped all the flu vaccine they are going to ship to us. Our friends in America's attic, Canada, have vaccines but are rightfully keeping them for themselves. Our delightfully brilliant President George W. Bush still thinks there is a chance they might send some our way. Let's all hope he is not sitting by the mailbox at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue waiting for a FedEx package.

The fact he thinks we might still get this help from Canada is strange for many reasons. One being that the Canadian government has flat out said no on numerous occasions, but in true George Bush style, he keeps persisting. Isn't it nice that he considers American lives so much more valuable than Canadian? Here's an idea that was most likely raised in the White House situation room: Invade Canada, take Prime Minister Paul Martin to the newly set up prison in Ottawa and confiscate all the Vaccines of Mass Distribution.

It is also strange considering that in the second presidential debate this month W. said that he didn't want to chance importing lower costing drugs from Canada, fearing they may be from a third world country.

You've heard about the number of Canadians who have died after consuming drugs from third world countries haven't you?

It makes perfect sense that under his direction the Centers for Disease Control would depend on one company to supply our entire country with the appropriate number of vaccines. We wouldn't want to risk our relationship with a major international drug company by leveling the playing field and asking other drug companies for bids.

According to the CDC, flu kills 36,000 people each year. That number is alarming and frankly it is unacceptable the Bush Administration did not see this vaccine shortage coming.

So, because for the most part those who work and attend Suffolk are not in the "high-risk" category, not very many of us will be getting the flu vaccine. Since this is the case, we urge you, we beg of you, we damn well demand that if you are sick, you stay home!

With the coming winter, the impending flu season just around the corner, on behalf of everyone here at Suffolk, we ask that you don't be selfish and that you pull the covers over your head next time you know you are sick. No one likes the guy who comes to class sick, therefore spreading the germs and making us all recall the days we spent in the big petri dish known as kindergarten.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools