INFLUENZA

1. What is an epidemic?

A widespread outbreak of an infectious disease; many people are infected at the same time.

2. What is a pandemic?

The worldwide outbreak of a disease in numbers clearly in excess of normal.

3. What is an infectious disease?

A disease that can be transmitted from person to person or from organism to organism, and is caused by eg viruses and bacteria.

4. What is a virus?

Ultramicroscopic infectious agent that replicates itself only within cells of living hosts.

5. What makes the H1N1 virus a "novel" or "new" virus?

That it didn't exist before, it's a new disease that was recently discovered and has been spreading worldwide.

6. How do viruses mutate?

 A virus is a bit of genetic information (RNA or DNA) packaged in an envelope of proteins and/or lipids sometimes including sugars. Viruses cannot live by themselves but must be able to quickly get into eukaryotic (Plant or Animal) cells to survive. They use the energy metabolism and biosynthetic machinery of the cell to replicate themselves. During the phase of replication inside the eukaryotic cell, a virus makes a copy of its RNA or DNA and from that copy duplicates itself. The RNA or DNA in a virus usually encodes enzymes involved in this process in addition to gene sequences that encode the envelope proteins.

7. What does it mean that this virus has "parts" from other known swine flus, human flus and American bird flus?

The swine flu could combine with the bird flu, and is much more deadly. The only advantage would be that it's less easily transmitted, but still, if it gets to the humans, then it would be easily transmitted.

8. How does that process happen?

The flu has spread all the way to the Norhtern Hemisphere, where the bird flu is present, and if the swine flu infectates someone that already has the bird flu, the diseases could combine, forming stonger and more dangerous virus.

9. How is the flu vaccine created?

Currently, 20 companies worldwide are working on it. Right now, there hasn't been a production of swine flu vaccines, they're currently experimenting. The experiment consists in injecting a small amount of virus into each egg, since eggs are ideal for growing up flu viruses, and incubate them over the weekend. Then, they try to reverse the genetics, injecting another virus known as PR8.

10. Why are some viruses transmittable from human to human while others are not (avian flu)?

Because in the case of birds, it would need few mutations to spread rapidly between mammals by respiratory droplets.

11. How does Tamiflu work?

By binding to and inhibiting one of the surface enzymes the virus uses to exit infected cells.

12. Scientists worry that H1N1 might become resistant to Tamiflu. How might that happen?

Since there are not enough Tamiflus for everyone, we might have to reduce the doses

1. What is the most predictable thing about influenza?

I think that scientists will find the cure and the whole world will cooperate for Mexico to get cured.  Even though it will take some time, at the end we will live happily ever after hahaha till the next problem appears.

2. How many people have died in Mexico? (based on the article as well as on latest news)

There have been 66 confirmed deaths.

3. Name 3 countries where swine flu has been confirmed in the last three days.

Malasia,Turkey and India.

4. What are the symptoms of the swine flu?

Feber, pain in the joints, throat pain, headache and cough.

5. When was the outbreak of the Spanish flu?

After WWI in 1918.

6. What percentage of the world population died of influenza then?

1% of global population, that is a lot if you compare it with the flu of today, besides we have much better technology.

7. Why was there an emergency vaccination program in 1976?

One person died and they wanted to prevent another catastrophe like the one that happened 50 years before.

8. Name a few actions the Mexican government has done to curb the spread of swine flu.

All public services like schools and restaurants were closed, also the gave out masks in the subway for people to prevent getting sick.

9. What were the consequences for Mexico and Mexicans due to the actions taken by the government?

Tourism lost a lot of money as well as restaurants.

10. What industries were particularly hard hit?

Tourism

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Mexico has shut down schools and other public spaces; do you think that was the correct thing to do? Why or why not?

Schools yes, because it was very easy to get infected there, but restaurants I think it was an exaggeration because people still gathered together.

2. More people die from the regular flu then from swine flu, why do you think this became a big news story?

This virus came from animals, and it was very strange.

3. Why did people stop visiting Mexico? Why have Mexicans been discriminated? Do you think the fear of the disease is justified?

No, the way Mexicans got treated it is so unfair, not all of us were sick and that is called discrimination.

4. What questions about individual and human rights does preventing the spread of flu raise?

video invisible children

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4v9rjS1JKo

Plastic Bags

I. Why are plastic bags so common?

Becasue they are so cheap to produce, sturdy, plentiful, easy to carry and store.

II. In what other ways is plastic used?

Plastic bottles, pens, penaut butter jars, wrappings, etc…

III. What are the benefits of plastic bags?

Compared to paper grocery bags, plastic grocery bags consume 40 percent less energy, generate 80 percent less solid waste, produce 70 percent fewer atmospheric emissions, and release up to 94 percent fewer waterborne wastes, according to the federation.

 

IV. What are the dangers of plastic bags?

Plastic doesn't biodegrade. The inks and colorants used on some bags contain lead, a toxin. There are a lot of animals that live on the bottom.. Only 1 percent of plastic bags are recycled worldwide -- about 2 percent in the U.S. -- and the rest, when discarded, can persist for centuries. It takes months to hundreds of years for plastic bags to breakdown. One of the main and most important dangers of plastic bags are the ones that stay on the floors of the sea, killing animals such as shrimp and sponges.

 

V. What has been done so far?

Ireland, Taiwan, South Africa, Australia, and Bangladesh have heavily taxed the totes or banned their use outright. Several other regions, including England and some U.S. cities, are considering similar actions.

 

VI. Has it been successful? Why or why not?

So far those efforts have resulted mostly in a mass of confusion.

Tony Lowes, director of Friends of the Irish Environment in County Cork, said the 15 cent tax on plastic bags introduced there in March 2002 has resulted in a 95 percent reduction in their use. "It's been an extraordinary success," he said.

a. What are some of the potential benefits of charging fees for and/or banning plastic bags?
· People would adapt to use reusable bags
· It would help the environment.
· With the money they get from charging plastic bags, they could help clean up lakes and bays.

b. What are some of the potential drawbacks of such programs?
- The industry would bankrupt.
· It will increase costs and affect businesses.
c. Which benefits and drawbacks seem the most compelling? Why?
The greatest benefit would be a cleaner environment, that would help the entire world.
The drawback would be the fact of the prices increasing and the crisis would stay the same.
d. Would you support a local law charging fees for (or banning) plastic bags? Why or why not?
Yes, because it would help the world and all our enviornment.

1. Do you agree with this new law? Why or why not?
Yes, I really support it. I think that the plastic industry is important but not as Planet Earth, is where we live and if we ruin it we will have nothing else.
2. What has been done so far?
Bimbo company already started a project in which all of it's new plastic packaging is oxo-biodegradable and contains an additive made by the British Company Symphony Technologies.

In Mexico City the plastic bags in every store, should be banned in less than a year. They say that maybe this will be an example to the rest of the country.
3. What needs to be done to enforce such a law?
Both, people and stores should start recycling and really supporting the law. If we would all do it, it would be a huge change for the world.
4. What campaigns would you suggest?
Making society concious about the problem, I think it would help. Because people really don´t know how much bad to earth the bags do. So they just don´t care.

 

schools shootings

Teenager kills 13 people.
Who? Tim Kretschmer
Where? Southern Germany, in a town called Winnenden.
When? March 11, 2008
What? A 17-year-old teenager who killed 13 people in his school.
Why? Some people say it is because the influence of his dad, he loves guns. But what leads him to kill other people? No one knows, there is a lot of different speculations like he was depressed or he had announced it on the internet, but the truth no one knows it.

5 more horrible stories....
Columbine High School massacre
Who? Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold. Students of Columbine University
Where? Columbine High School in Columbine in unincorporated Jefferson County, Colorado, United States, near Denver and Littleton
When? Tuesday, April 20, 1999.
What? Two students, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, embarked on a massacre, killing 12 students and a teacher, as well as wounding 23 others, before committing suicide.
Why? Insecurity and depression, as well as a strong need for attention.

May 4 massacre or Kent State massacre
Who? No one knows exactly, but people who had protested against President Nixon ended up dead.
Where? Kent State University in the city of Kent, Ohio
When? Monday, May 4, 1970
What? Massacre in which 4 people died.
Why? Because one day before they said they didn’t agree with the decision of P President Nixon and the army invading Cambodia.

Cologne school massacre
Who? 42-year-old Walter Seifert
Where? Cologne school, Ohio
When? June 11, 1964
What? A 42-year-old man went into a all-girl opened fire on the girls playing in the courtyard. He then knocked in classroom windows with his mace and fired inside. 8 girls and 2 teachers died.
Why? He had mental diseases and had a lost a baby girl.

The École Polytechnique Massacre
Who? Marc Lépine
Where? École Polytechnique at the University of Montreal, Canada.
When? December 6, 1989
What? The worst school massacre in Canadian history. Twenty-five-year-old Marc Lepine killed 14 women and wounded a further 13 people.
Why? A letter he left behind indicated a hate for feminists.

Erfurt massacre
Who? Robert Steinhäuser
Where? City of Erfurt, Germany.
When? April 26, 2002
What? Worst German massacre, 17 killed and 7 injured in a school.
Why? He got expelled and hated the institution, he wanted revenge and he had mental issues.

'Strong evidence' for Bashir case

Where? Sudan

Why? Because he said that it is not true and they are starting a big case against him and they already have a lot of proof.

When? Yesterday

Who?  Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir.

What? They fund more proof and people that are willing to testify against Bashir. They say he is a genocide and that committed a lot of crimes in war and killed a lot of people. He denies it and says quote; "Any decision by the International Criminal Court has no value for us,"

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7921212.stm

Britain's Brown looks for boost from Obama meeting NEWS 3

who? British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and President of the United States Barak Obama

where? In the United States

when? On tuesday

why? Because they are both in crisis and need to create different strategies to confront it.

what? Gordon Brown and President Barak Obama are looking forward to meet and talk about the crisis and what can they do about it.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jCurRf-WRilCxep2hO-K8BsUnnogD96MIM6G0

Parcial

1. Who is Robert Mugabe? How long has he been in power? How popular is he?

He is the President of Zimbabwe. He has held power as the head of government since 1980, as Prime Minister from 1980 to 1987, and as the first executive head of state since 1987. People in Zimbabwe really dont like him because he is spending money that is supposed to be for the country in parties for him.

2.Who is Morgan Tsvangirai? Whicgh is/ has been his political role?

He is the Prime Minister of Zimbabwe. He is the President of the Movement for Democratic Change - Tsvangirai (MDC-T) and a key figure in the opposition to President Robert Mugabe.

3. What happened during last year's elections? Which was the outcome?

A presidential election and parliamentary election was held on 29 March 2008. The three major candidates were Mugabe, Tsvangirai and Simba Makoni, an independent

4. Whis is the economic situation in Zimbabwe? How do the people feel about this?

It would take $5 billion to stabilize the country. And thanks to the crisis and the cholera outbreak the economy is getting worse. Corruption, acute food storage and years of poor agricultural production have made Zimbabwe´s currency be the highest inflation rate of the world. 

5. What do you think about the celebrations and the lavish party?
It is horrible the way they are managing the crisis in Zimbabwe. They are spending money in stuff they shouldn´t like Mugabe´s party, that amount of money could help a hospital near Chinhoyi. While 10 provinces through lack of access to clean water, faulty sewage systems, and uncollected refuse, the president is enjoying life with parties and carnivals. That is horrible and unfair.

Based only on the article below, define a conflict.

a) Give the conflict a name and explain why you think it is a conflict.

A man in the power and a country in the crisis. it is a conflict because according to google´s definition of conflict is: an open clash between two opposing groups. And this is what is happening the two most powerful people of Zimbabwe, Mugabe and  Tsvangirai are in a constant fight, while the citizens suffer the coincidences. 

 b) Who is involved and why?

Mugabe and his party, Tsvangirai and his party, the citizens of Zimbabwe. Because the politicians are causing the conflict and the people is being affected.

c) Explain in detail why the conflict has happened.

The political party that has the power in Zimbabwe is acting in a very unfair and dumb way. They are using the money that would help the situation of the country, for personal use. Like parties or social events, while people are dying of cholera (a mortal virus that affected Zimbabwe since August) or lack of food. 

d) Give a timeline of events (at least 5) related to the conflict.

August 2008: The Cholera virus invaded Zimbabwe.

Feb 2009: Robert Mugabe spent $25 000 USD in a personal birthday party.

Feb 2009: Mugabe visited a hospital that needs medicines and doctors. It need about ($30000, only $5000 more than what he spent on his birthday celebration.)

Feb 2009: World health Organization declared that since august untill now 3731 people have been killed by Cholera and 80000 affected by this virus.

Feb 2009:  Tsvangirai appealed to the international community to help Zimbabwe's crippled economy, saying it would take $5 billion to stabilize the country.

e) How do you think this conflict can be solved and why?

First of all the politicians should arrange their bad relationships and end with all of the problems between them. After this they should start economic plans to help the situation as well as social health ones. People in the country should now what is going on and how could they be a part of the changing plan.

Conflict

Democratic Republic of Congo

Conflict: The Ebola virus, which causes a deadly hemorrhagic fever, has surfaced for the second time in less than two years in south-central Congo.

Headline: Ebola virus outbreak reported in Congo

Link:http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/09/11/asia/outbreak.php

Summary: A horrible disease has affected DR Congo. Ebola is the name of the virus and it has affected more than 300 people in the cities of Mweka and Luebo. 127 people have died and a lot of others are in really bad health state. Some of the patients had fevers of 40 degrees Celsius and were vomiting blood. The population of this country is really concerned and scared because in 1995 this deadly disease killed more than 200 people in Kikwit. The UN is now sending supplies and doctors to the region, hoping to stop this horrendous problem.

Describe the conflict: A virus called Ebola has affected Democratic Republic of Congo. More than 50% of the people who is affected by this virus, die. This is not the first time; in 1995 this country also suffered from Ebola. People have fevers of 40 degrees and vomit blood. The UN is now helping and trying to control the horrible epidemic that has affected hundreds.

Roots: DR Congo is a very poor country with really bad health conditions and I think this is the main source from where all of the viruses and epidemics come from.

a) Who is involved in the conflict?

b) Where is it happening?

c) When did it happen and how long has it been going on?

 

 

a) The population of Mweka and Luebo that have been suffering from Ebola and the UN that is helping the poor country.

b) In Mweka and Luebo.

c) it has been since 1995 but it stoped and it started again since September 2008.

Activity 2: Pakistan: A Nation Divided

Which is its location? What countries does it border with?

Pakistan is located in Eastern Asia. It borders India, China, Afghanistan, and Iran.

What does the geography say about the country?

To the North there are the Himalayas and to the south there is a dessert. The climate varies from cold winters and hot summers to the North, and mild climate to the South.

What is the dominant religion? Which other exist?

The major religion is Islamism while there is also Hinduism, Christianity, Parsi, Buddhist, and others.

What are the different ethnic groups?

Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashtun, Baloch, and Muhajir.

Which ones are the main customs and traditions?

There are many festivals anually celebrated, like, Pakistan Day (23 March), Independence Day (14 August), Defence of Pakistan Day (6 September), Pakistan Air Force Day (7 September), etc. The traditional music is Folkloric music, and traditional styles such as Qwwali and Ghazal Gayaki.

Interview...How is his life different from yours?

The way society is established is our main difference. Our parents have different ideas and thoughts of how rising/educating us. Even though they both love us they demonstrate it in different ways. I have the permission of going to parties and dancing because my parents trust me and don’t think that is wrong. His parents also trust him but they don’t think that is correct. We have different believes but we are both raised in the way our parents think is the “best one”.

Which custom caught your attention?

The fact that he can’t get involved with any girl, he cant express his feelings for any other girl that is not of his religion. This most be horrible!

How does his religion affect his way of acting?

Because he has completely other believes and thoughts about society and about the way all teenagers act. So he looks different from all the others.

 

Hindu Punjabi:

- Purandar that means: Lord Indra, Lord Vishnu

How often do you go to a religious service?

- Everyday I say my prayers, but I am not a very religious girl or live in a very religious family so I only go to the temple with my family once a week. Also, we can make rituals in our homes.

Do you know anyone of a different religion? How do you get along?

- I know people but I just don’t talk to them.

Do boys and girls hang out socially? Do you go to parties?

- I only go to parties that have to do with my religion. And I only hang out with my future wife.

How many people live in your house?

- 4 and me.

Who goes to school in your family?

- Divyesh, my brother and me. My sister Dakshata stays at home with my mom learning the daily chores.

How do you dress?

To school I usually wear Sherwani, Lungi, Dhoti and Kurta Pajama.

The sherwani:

It is a coat like garment, worn by men, which is tight and close to the body.

The lungi:

The lungi had originated in the south and is still common there. Today men and women wear it in the same fashion. It is simply a long length of material worn around the thighs like a sarong.

The dhoti:

A dhoti is a longer version of a lungi. It has an additional length of material to be pulled up between the legs.

 

Which ones are your daily chores?

- Going to school, meditation, singing devotional hymns,chanting mantras, recyting religious scrypts, etc

What does it mean to belong to your ethnic group?

- That are ancestors are still alive in some way. Our traditions and costumes will honor our generations if we keep on practicing them and teaching them to the next generations.

Where are your relatives from?

- We are all from Pakistan.

Do you hang out with people of other ethnicities? How do you get along?

-I only hang out with Punjabis.

Do you have to marry someone of your same ethnicity?

- Yes, same caste, same religion, and same ethnicity always. Our marriage is arranged when we are born.

Describe a typical tradition

According to the holy texts there are eight different types of Hindu marriages. When I grow up I will be married in Asura Marriage:

In the Asura kind of marriage the groom is not considered suitable for the bride. He is in no way a match for the girl. The bridegroom gives as much wealth as he can afford to the bride's parents. So this system of marriage is more like buisness.

News 2, Fidel castro

Fidel contemplates his mortality

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7846670.stm

Who?

Fidel Castro

When?

January 2009

Where?

In Cuba

What?

There has been a lot of rumors and speculations because the ex dictator of Cuba, Fidel Castro hasn’t written a column in five weeks.

Why?

His state of health hasn’t been very good during the last months.

Source:

 

Former Cuban leader Fidel Castro has praised US President Barack Obama for his "honesty" but says he has many questions to answer.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7844600.stm

 

Who?

Fidel Castro

When?

January 22, 2009

Where?

Havana Cuba.

What?

Fidel Castro wants to meet Obama because he says he is a good man even though his brother, Raul Castro doesn’t think that way. He wants to see Obama´s actions but he is worried that his health wouldn’t let him.

Why?

He is really sick, and he might die soon.

Conclusion…

Both of the articles talk about Castro’s health state. The world is worried about him and what will happen to Cuba if he dies. Even though Raul has now the power of Cuba, Castro is a very important figure of this country and of communism.