'You don't die from the flu'

[marmar]

(HuffPost) In the midst of a flu outbreak that health officials say has reached epidemic proportions, one Texas politician made a startling statement this week.

"You don't die from the flu," Houston city council member Jack Christie said Wednesday as he cast the lone vote opposing $3 million in federal money for vaccinating children (although those funds aren't for flu vaccinations), KHOU in Houston reported.

That's just not true. The flu killed between 3,000 and 49,000 people each year between 1976 and 2007, according to the latest data available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A 2003 CDC study estimated the flu took an average of 36,000 lives a year from 1990 through 1999.

The current flu season already has claimed the lives of 29 children, the CDC said Friday. The flu was associated with 829 children's deaths between 2004 and last year, CNN reported in October. ........................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jeffrey-young/flu-deaths-are-real-despi_b_2504509.html

[stevenleser]

1. I agree, but the anti-vaxers will set upon you in 3..2..1.. nt

[roguevalley]

33. the flu pandemic during world war 1 killed millions.

That Man is a moron

[Wednesdays]

53. The 1918 flu killed more people than all of World War I

My great-grandfather was one of them. He was just 26 years old.

[roguevalley]

67. I'm sorry about that, Wednesdays. My grandmother talked about it with

abject fear all of life and she passed at 96

[Marrah_G]

2. The amount of people holding political office with such a huge ignorance of basic science is sad

[Bainbridge Bear]

27. Didn't you know?

The only science these idiots need is in the Bible. God, I'm glad I don't live in Texas. It just gets stupider there by the minute. What's next? Is Rick Perry going to ask Texans to pray the flu epidemic away?

[smirkymonkey]

56. +1000

[littlemissmartypants]

39. Hear, hear!

... for "hear, all ye good people, hear what this brilliant and eloquent speaker has to say!"

[REP]

3. The 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic didnt really kill 20 - 50 million people ...

... it was vaccines. Wait, they didn't have flu vaccine then. It was aliens.

[marybourg]

5. Or abortions.

[REP]

9. When was the Abortion Flu pandemic?

[ChairmanAgnostic]

26. 666 AD.

a bad year for multiple reasons.

[Thinkingabout]

13. This one killed most members of a family, my father's died in this epidemic leaving 6 children

My father was the oldest at 8 and a 13 day old sister. There are still ones dying from the flu, dumb as a post. He tried to change it to "No one should die", they just don't get it. Why do we continue to vote dumb.

[rustydog]

4. And you can't get pregnant if you were "Legitimately" raped

America's legislators, ladies and germs.....

[Coolest Ranger]

6. if only our media reported the facts instead of trying to scare us

[ChairmanAgnostic]

30. bah. how will that sell advertising slots?

geez. some people.

[littlemissmartypants]

40. They are helping fulfill

THE SHOCK DOCTRINE...

[HereSince1628]

7. Proof that being dumb as a 5th grader won't hurt your election to the Houston city counsel

[Recursion]

8. Doesn't the flu kill more people than AIDS? (nt)

[jeff47]

11. A 2003 Chicago Tribune story says so

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2003-01-08/news/0301090046_1_dr-keiji-fukuda-influenza-respiratory-viruses

[Recursion]

17. Yeah, I realized I was thinking of an old article

But seriously the flu is a stone cold killer. It irks me that public servants don't know this.

[Kalidurga]

10. Maybe you can only die from the legitimate flu or...

is it the other way around? What kind of person deny's thousands of death's each year? I think the answer is follow the money.

[randome]

12. Thank you for your infections, Texas!

Asshats!

[Zoeisright]

14. What is it with these fucking stupid repukes?

Rape doesn't cause pregnancy, the flu doesn't kill, global warming doesn't exist. Why don't we just ship them all off to Somalia and they can live in the 18th century where they belong?

[LeftInTX]

15. The councilman said: The human body has a way to shut that whole thing down

Is the "human body has a way to shut that whole thing down" their latest MO?

Next it will be AIDS, cancer, or any type of condition that requires medical attention.

[gateley]

32. Anything that THEY don't personally become afflicted with. If that guy came down

with the flu, I bet he'd be at the doctor in a nanosecond.

[littlemissmartypants]

41. HE IS A DOCTOR.

Christie received his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Texas Chiropractic College and served in the Army Reserves Medical Corps for six years.

[Archae]

43. Chiropractors are not doctors.

This guy proves that.

[littlemissmartypants]

44. Doctor or not

is this the best defense we can come up with for his stupidity, " He is not a doctor." ???

[littlemissmartypants]

45. And yet...

He now runs two successful Houston-area practices that care for over 20,000 patients.

[Archae]

46. I'm not going to get this discussion into an argument over chiropractic.

It's painfully obvious this guy is a big-time quack, I wouldn't doubt he pushes peoples' spines around and then hard-sells them on vitamins to "cure disease."

He has shown how ignorant he is of REAL disease and the effects.

[littlemissmartypants]

47. We can only hope that his

patient caseload dwindles as he has shown his real expertise in idiocy.

[atreides1]

52. Beg to differ

My chiropractor knows that people can die from the flu and even had a bout of it himself. What this other guy proves is that he's an asshat in the same league as Rick Perry and George Bush!

[littlemissmartypants]

57. Thank you. n/t

[gateley]

61. Not a MEDICAL doctor -- a Doctor of Chiropractic. He obviously wasn't trained about influenza. He

knows less than the general public.

[2naSalit]

16. The majority of politicians in TX

don't have a real good reputation on being real bright when it comes to human interests. And you just know they will be crying for federal aid when a major epidemic or some kind of disaster hits them... not that the aid would go to those whom it might help though.

[WillyT]

18. I Have A Co-Worker Who (Rumor Has It) Is In A Medically Induced COMA... For Influenza B...

Like I said... just rumors swirling right now about the flu part... but she is definitely in a medically induced COMA.

They found her on the floor... non-responsive.

[gollygee]

19. One of my kids was horribly sick from it

She had the flu shot but got it anyway. I was really surprised how sick she got. She ended up at the doctor's twice. Her fever was very high, for a whole week, and I was really worried she'd end up with pneumonia or something with how badly she was coughing. The flu can be fairly mild, but it can also be really bad.

[proud2BlibKansan]

20. My husband's uncle is still alive!?!

Yay!

[Recursion]

37. I *think* it's still the deadliest single-pathogen disease out there?

This is kind of appalling

[burnsei sensei]

21. Oh well.

"You don't die from the flu," Houston city council member Jack Christie said Wednesday as he cast the lone vote opposing $3 million in federal money for vaccinating children (although those funds aren't for flu vaccinations), KHOU in Houston reported.

More happy horseshit from the self-deluded right-wing!

[Faygo Kid]

22. I got a flu shot, but got it anyway, then pneumonia.

Recovering now, but it's been a rough month. Gawd, I hate the reich wing.

[cali]

55. me too. well, I didn't get the shot but I got the flu and subsequently pneumonia

I'm better now but still weak as a kitten.

glad you're recovering.

[TorchTheWitch]

63. I'm officially a member of this club

Worst damn flu I've ever dealt with. Three weeks now and I still feel like I'm 90 years old. I dread waking up every day since every day begins with coughing myself (unproductively) inside out that goes on for over an hour. Last time I had the flu years ago I broke a rib doing that, and I'm terrified of that happening again. As far as I know I haven't gotten pneumonia. How does one know if they do?

Had I known it would be anything close to this bad I would have spent my last dime for a flu shot 3 times a day for a month and 4 times on Sundays. Normally I get a shot every year, but this year finances were a problem and I just forgot about getting one.

[Coolest Ranger]

60. That happened to me as well

it's one of the reasons why I won't get another one

[jeff47]

66. They're starting to find that flu shots are less effective in certain populations

Don't know how old you are, but they're finding that flu shots are much less effective among people 65 or older.

It's still a very good idea to get the shot, since the odds are that it will still work.

[abelenkpe]

23. K&R

[Major Nikon]

24. This dumass Republican calls himself a doctor

...albeit a chiroquackter.

[gateley]

34. I'd like to see him say that to an M.D. (a REAL doctor)

[littlemissmartypants]

42. So we should lump all "doctors" in

one group and deal with their stupidity one person at a time. Clearly there are some MD doctors that are comparable idiots to this guy. Having a degree does not make you perfect. What ever the "initials" might be that one hides behind. I will be sure to berate all doctors of chiropractic I meet and buy presents for all the "real doctors" in my neighborhood.

[gateley]

62. Okay, fine. Sorry I set you off.

ETA: This wasn't a slam against other types of health care professionals (I'm a big fan of chiropractic, naturopathic and acupuncture) it was more of a slam/snark against this pompous asshole. He can't use his Doctor degree to give proclamations about topics which he hasn't any education/knowledge.

[1-Old-Man]

25. I knew a guy, when I was much younger, who caught the flu and died in 3 days

This was a year or two after I got out of the Army, so it would have been in the early 1970's. The guy was a mechanic, about the same age as me (mid 20's) but he was a lot bigger than me, probably 6' + and a very muscular 200 or so pounds. He was, or at least appeared to be, in extremely good health. He caught the flu, closed his shop and went home, and was dead in 3 days.

I have seen somewhere that more people died of the flu during the First World War than died at arms in that war.

The flu is no light matter.

[benld74]

28. But you CAN die from STUPIDITY and maybe get a Darwin Award

[Lone_Star_Dem]

29. I'll write to him tomorrow. My friends father is in a medically induced coma...

Being given breathing treatments via a trichotomy (sp?) due to complications from the flu right now. His prognosis isn't good. My MIL developed pneumonia from it this year and was hospitalized for a week. I also developed pneumonia but was treated outpatient excluding one night in the hospital due to a late ER visit.

I'll also spread what he said around the community. What an idiot.

[Historic NY]

31. the flu killed more people in 1918 that world War I..

Last edited Sun Jan 20, 2013, 12:10 AM - Edit history (1)

World War I claimed an estimated 16 million lives. The influenza epidemic that swept the world in 1918 killed an estimated 50 million people. One fifth of the world's population was attacked by this deadly virus. Within months, it had killed more people than any other illness in recorded history.

* Whats scary is we hold bacterial cultures of it, some collected from the long dead victims.

http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/influenza-epidemic/

I'd like to know what school this moron went to.

[Recursion]

38. It's been called the worst disaster in history (nt)

[xocet]

50. Science "Hall of Fame" Inductee Jack Christie and former Chairman of the State Board of Education

City Council At-Large Position 5
About Council Member Jack Christie



Jack Christie is a native Texan, businessman, chiropractic physician and community leader. Jack’s broad range of experience has taken him through Houston’s numerous and richly diverse neighborhoods, and he is proud to serve the entire city as At-Large Position 5 Council Member.

Christie received his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Texas Chiropractic College and served in the Army Reserves Medical Corps for six years. He received a certificate in International Relations upon completion of graduate courses at the Bush School of Government at Texas A&M. He now runs two successful Houston-area practices that care for over 20,000 patients. As a dedicated small business owner for over thirty years, Christie lends his expertise to the local business community through his position on the Board of Directors for the Spring Branch-Memorial Chamber of Commerce.

Jack’s previous elected positions prior to arriving at Houston City Council include his three terms as a State Board of Education board member and three terms on the Board of Trustees of Spring Branch Independent School District. Christie was elected President of Spring Branch ISD Board of Trustees and was appointed Chairman of Texas State Board of Education from 1995-2000.

Christie’s background in science and education has made him a sought-after education and technology expert. He has appeared on NBC’s Today, ABC’s World News, CNN and CNN Money networks and has been quoted in the Wall Street Journal and New York Times and Time, Fortune and Wired magazines. After being selected from a pool of nominees by the state’s premier names in science, Dr. Jack Christie was inducted into the Texas Science Hall of Fame in 2000.

While an accomplished businessman and a recognized name in his many fields, Jack Christie is most clearly defined by his unrelenting drive to serve his community. Thirty years ago Jack founded the Annual 5th Ward Ice Skating Party and has acted as its organizer and underwriter every year since. He served on the Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Greater Houston Board of Directors for five years; he volunteered as a Big Brother himself for eight years and has had the unparalleled privilege of watching his “littles” grow into successful and self-assured adults in their own rights.

Jack is the proud father of John, Katherine and Patrick. He is an active member of St. Cecilia’s Church and an Eagle Scout. Jack has been an avid runner for more than forty years, competing and finishing marathons and the Ironman triathlon in Hawaii.


http://www.houstontx.gov/council/5/about.html

Apparently, it is rather easy to be inducted into the Texas Science Hall of Fame.

[littlemissmartypants]

35. Politician Hall of Shame Member Jack Christie: second only to Sen Mike Walsworth of

http://www.democraticunderground.com/122814668


Jack Christie

Jack Christie is a native Texan, businessman, chiropractic physician and community leader. Jack’s broad range of experience has taken him through Houston’s numerous and richly diverse neighborhoods, and he is proud to serve the entire city as At-Large Position 5 Council Member.

Christie received his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Texas Chiropractic College and served in the Army Reserves Medical Corps for six years. He received a certificate in International Relations upon completion of graduate courses at the Bush School of Government at Texas A&M. He now runs two successful Houston-area practices that care for over 20,000 patients.

Jack’s previous elected positions prior to arriving at Houston City Council include his three terms as a State Board of Education board member and three terms on the Board of Trustees of Spring Branch Independent School District. Christie was elected President of Spring Branch ISD Board of Trustees and was appointed Chairman of Texas State Board of Education from 1995-2000.

Christie’s background in science and education has made him a sought-after education and technology expert. He has appeared on NBC’s Today, ABC’s World News, CNN and CNN Money networks and has been quoted in the Wall Street Journal and New York Times and Time, Fortune and Wired magazines. After being selected from a pool of nominees by the state’s premier names in science, Dr. Jack Christie was inducted into the Texas Science Hall of Fame in 2000.

While an accomplished businessman and a recognized name in his many fields, Jack Christie is most clearly defined by his unrelenting drive to serve his community. Thirty years ago Jack founded the Annual 5th Ward Ice Skating Party and has acted as its organizer and underwriter every year since. He served on the Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Greater Houston Board of Directors for five years; he volunteered as a Big Brother himself for eight years and has had the unparalleled privilege of watching his “littles” grow into successful and self-assured adults in their own rights.

Jack is the proud father of John, Katherine and Patrick. He is an active member of St. Cecilia’s Church and an Eagle Scout. Jack has been an avid runner for more than forty years, competing and finishing marathons and the Ironman triathlon in Hawaii.

Council Member Jack Christie
City Hall Annex
900 Bagby, First Floor
Houston, TX 77002

Phone: [phone]
FAX; 832.393.3261
E-Mail: [e-mail]

Now famous as a "Flu won't kill and medicine won't help" Trufer.

Congratulations 'Mr.' Christie.

[liberalhistorian]

36. I just spent two days in the hospital last week

with the flu; they thought at first it was a heart attack because my pulse spiked to 140 beats per minute and I couldn't get my breath (which is what sent me into the ER in the first place. I didn't feel good when I went in, but thought it was due to the heart situation). It turned out to be the flu, which was straining my heart. The crushing weakness and exhaustion were unbelievable, I could barely lift my head from the hospital bed pillow. And I'm pretty healthy, basically, with no major problems. I can easily see how a child or an elderly person or someone with a compromised immune system can die from it. I will never, ever take it lightly ever again.

Please, people, this is nothing to take lightly or scoff at; if you haven't had the flu shot yet, get it; if you think you're getting the flu, get treatment asap. If I hadn't gone to the ER, things might have been a lot worse. And fuck any goddamn politician who cuts public health funding. The blood of the dead will be on their hands; we've lost at least twenty children this flu season so far, and it kills thousands more each year.

And fuck any employer who forces workers to come in sick because their goddamn almighty bottom line is more important than the health of their employees and the customers they can make sick.

[Logical]

48. Wow, scary! Thank you for posting this! It might help someone! n-t

[Lone_Star_Dem]

49. That's really similar to my experience.

I don't have a heart condition, I'm not at an age risk, and have no other medical conditions to complicate a case of the flu. I'm healthy, I work out at least 3 times a week and I'm a vegetarian. I shouldn't have ended up in the hospital. However, my breathing was so compromised I couldn't oxygenate my blood properly. It made my heart rate go nuts and I ended up in the ER and spent the night in the hospital because of it. I was basically dying from a lack of oxygen.

It cost me a fortune, I'm sure. I've not gotten the bills yet, but I'm expecting it's going to take a huge bite out of my resources.

[liberalhistorian]

68. Sorry you had to deal with that, it's no surprise

to me now that the flu virus is considered one of the deadliest and that even really healthy people can be brought down with it. I do have mitral valve prolapse, which causes irregular heartbeats among other things, but it's generally not a big deal and has never been a big deal for me until this happened (mvp is actually pretty common among the population). It didn't happen when I had pneumonia or bacterial bronchitis several years ago, so it really frightens me that my mvp could react this way to the flu virus.

The people at the hospital told me that they were seeing strong, healthy people being brought down hard by it and that that wasn't uncommon, that people take the flu too lightly. I think because we tend to use the word "flu" whenever we get sick with anything, and that's just not accurate. It's truly frightening what one little virus can do to even healthy people.

[TorchTheWitch]

64. That sounds just like what I had (have)

Those first few days I could not crawl out of bed nor even sit up. I don't even remember very much during that time. I never went to the hospital, but I live alone, and was just too sick to even think straight with such a high fever those first few days. It's been three weeks now, and I still feel like a bag of shit. Two of my next door neighbors got it the day after I did and both went to the hospital. Apparently, they were just given some meds and sent home. They said the hospital was PACKED with people with the flu.

I've gotten the flu on occasion throughout my life, but THIS... man, this is just the worst damn evil illness I've ever dealt with. I've never even heard of any normally healthy, active, average aged person like me having to deal with anything even remotely close to this bad.

As soon as I'm deemed rid of this wretched virus, I'm getting the flu shot to guard against the other strains. My immune system is in the toilet, and I'm just too physically wiped out to deal with another strain. That's what happened the last time I got the flu (though it wasn't anything close to this bad)... I got one strain, went back to work even though I still felt pretty crappy and immediately caught another strain that was twice as bad as the first one. I think I was sick from Thanksgiving until Memorial Day. And breaking a rib coughing sure didn't help... took a month before I could even take a normal deep breath without agony. But that was a walk in the park compared to the beast I'm still recovering from now.

Never ever again am I ever going to forget about getting a flu shot!!! After what I've been through the last several weeks I'm officially scared shitless of the flu.

[RKP5637]

51. And he is a fine example of the damn fools elected to office. They used to tar and feather asses

like this and run them out of town.

[intaglio]

54. In the current outbreak

at least 29 child deaths, (Source CDC) other deaths not yet tabulated

The 2009 pandemic over 27,000 hospitalizations a more than 3,400 deaths

[smirkymonkey]

58. The STUPID is just overflowing in Texas.

I can not believe this asshole.

[stultusporcos]

59. Suggestion there is a whole bunch of stuipid in 49 other states too so

let's round up all the stupid, send them to Texass and then Texass can secede!

[mainer]

65. The comments on the Texas article are scary

All the anti-vaxxers chiming in to say the man is a genius and that vaccines kill.