December 10, 2007 | Click here to send an email.
A Season of Sneezes
   

This time of year always reminds me of a few different images: my family and I singing carols in church, Christmas trees and presents, the first snowfall, and varying members of my staff coughing, sneezing, and otherwise looking rather ill. Like any workplace – especially one where people sit in close quarters – our Washington office tends to be a case study for how germs spread. No matter how hard we try with disinfecting wipes and soap, traveling colds, coughs, and sometimes the flu seem to make their way around our office every winter. As we prepare for the holidays and the winter season, tips from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will help you and your family prevent the flu this season.

The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus, and its effects range from mild to severe. In some cases, particularly in young children and the elderly or those with chronic diseases such as asthma, diabetes or heart disease, the effects of the flu can be even more dangerous – resulting in hospitalization or death. Each year, up to 20 percent of Americans get the flu and more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications. The best way to prevent the flu is by getting a flu vaccination every year, which can be administered either through a traditional shot or a nasal spray. Ask your healthcare provider which option is best for you and to make sure you do not have any health conditions that disqualify you from receiving a flu vaccine.

In general, individuals at high risk for complications from the flu should get vaccinated. This includes children from six months to age five and adults age 50 and over, as well as pregnant woman, people with chronic medical conditions, and people who live in any long-term care facilities. Additionally, individuals who live with or care for those at a high risk for complications from the flu or who care for infants and young children should consider the flu vaccine.

The best time to get vaccinated is October or November, but if you haven’t gotten vaccinated yet, it is not too late. Flu season often lasts through May. To find a flu shot provider near you, visit: www.flushotsvirginia.org or call your primary care doctor.

Aside from getting vaccinated, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the following tips to prevent getting sick this season:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick
• Clean your hands often and regularly sanitize high-traffic areas
• Practice good health habits like getting enough sleep, exercising and eating right

Another area of concern is the potential for a pandemic flu outbreak. Different than the traditional flu virus, a pandemic flu occurs when a new influenza virus emerges for which people have little or no immunity, for which there is no vaccine, and which has the potential to spread very quickly through large populations and around the global. Although it is difficult to predict when or if a pandemic flu outbreak will occur as well as how severe the effects would be, federal and state governments around the United States are taking steps now to prepare for any potential outbreak.

The United States has been working with the World Health Organization and other countries to develop systems to better detect an outbreak of the flu which might cause a pandemic, as well as work with the private sector in the United States to develop ways employers can protect their employees. To date, the planning includes things like modeling how a disease could spread, preparing and training community health centers and hospitals, and working with state and local governments, as well as other activities. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has also been providing funds to state governments to help each state prepare. Virginia has received almost $9.5 million for pandemic panning activities from the federal government and on March 3, 2006 Governor Tim Kaine and HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt signed a resolution that details Virginia’s planning responsibilities. To learn more about the pandemic flu and what the federal government and states are doing to prepare, visit: www.pandemicflu.gov. For more on what Virginia is doing, visit: http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/pandemicflu/.


Additionally, according to the CDC, families can prepare for a potential pandemic flu outbreak by storing a two-week supply of water and food, ensuring an adequate supply of prescription and nonprescription medicine, and taking steps to prevent the spread of germs, much like you would to prevent the traditional flu. You can also consider volunteering with local groups to assist in emergency response planning and talking with your employer to make sure your workplace has thought about a pandemic flu plan.


I hope that this holiday season and winter will be a safe and healthy one for you and your family. By learning about and preparing for a potential pandemic flu, we can all help minimize the effects of a widespread outbreak. By getting a flu vaccine and practicing the prevention tips, you can decrease your chance of spending days in bed fighting the traditional flu. And, as I tell my staff, if you are sick, please get rest, drink fluids, and most importantly – keep your germs to yourself!

 

 

Congressman Forbes Speaks Out Against Bill That Would Arbitrarily Release Criminals Early

Last week, Congressman Forbes participated in a hearing on a bill introduced by Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas that would give criminals who have been convicted of fraud, drug trafficking, white-collar crimes including Enron executives and lobbyist Jack Abramoff, child pornography possession, immigration violations, or sexual solicitation of a minor early release from prison. H.R. 261, the Federal Prison Bureau Nonviolent Offender Relief Act of 2007, would mandate early release for federal prisoners convicted of non violent crimes if they are 45 or older, haven't participated in violent crime while in prison, and have served half of their sentence time.

Congressman Forbes opposes this legislation. Not only would this legislation allow thousands of prisoners to be released having only served half of their sentence, but it would have an adverse effect on our communities and threaten the safety of our children. Watch Congressman Forbes speak out against this legislation in a Judiciary Crime Subcommittee hearing that took place last week.

Click here to read an article on H.R. 261 by the Houston Chronicle.

Click here to see what other steps Congressman Forbes is taking to combat crime in America.

By clicking the above video, you are leaving the U.S. House of Representatives Web site. The U.S. House of Representatives is not responsible for the content of the non-House site you are about to access.

 
 

SPOTLIGHT
 

Congressman Forbes is Named Ranking Member of Armed Services Subcommittee

 

 

On December 5th, Congressman Forbes was named Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee Readiness Subcommittee by full Committee Ranking Member Duncan Hunter.

Click here to read more.

 


 

Know What to Expect at Airport Security Checkpoints

 

 


Use the TSA Travel Assistant to prepare for airport security checkpoints before you arrive so your travel experience can go more smoothly and efficiently.


Click here to go.

 


 

Ben's Guide to Government

 

 


Click the link below to access Ben's Guide to Government, an educational website for children who want to learn more about government.


Click here to go.

 


Other News

Dec 6, 2007 Congressman J. Randy Forbes (VA-04) Statement on Senate Conferees Dropping Controversial Hate Crimes Provision from National Defense Authorizations Act

Dec 6, 2007 Congressman J. Randy Forbes (VA-04) Statement Statement on Energy Bill Vote

Dec 4, 2007 Congressman J. Randy Forbes (VA-04) Announces Medicare Rx Workshop to Help Local Seniors During Open Season



ON THE HILL
PHOTO GALLERY

A sign directs visitors to the historic Siege Museum in Petersburg, Virginia.

Congressman Forbes and other Members meet with Chinese government leaders.
Home | Contact | Unsubscribe | Subscribe | Privacy | Office Locations
Please do not reply to this message. This email address does not accept incoming messages. To send an email, click here.