What would you do in my situation?

[whufc]

Me, my wife and my 5 month old daughter have planned to drive to Melbourne next weekend for a small holiday.

Do you think with the current swine flu i should risk taking my daughter there.

While over there we plan to visit the aquariam, federation square, the markets, crown casino and have tickets to see Carlton vs St.Kilda at the dome (my daughter won't be going to football as staying with family friends over there.)

Off course we will be taking precautions such as using glen 20, hand sanitizer and the daughters pram has a storm cover over it. Though we will be using a fair amount of public transport once we arrive in Melbourne.

We visited our local gp tonight and the doctor pretty much sat on the fence, said there is still a chance of catching it in SA, yet he would wear a face mask but the chances of her catching it is very slim.

Im so confused, the father in me says don't put your daughter at risk the common sense in me says it's probably not as bad as people are making out and that everything will be alright.

[JAS]

Is it the media that are keeping you all terrified?

Our first case in the UK was not long after it all started and out of a population of 60 million and who would be a lot more crowed together than you guys we still only have 450 confirmed cases in total.

As far as I know the only people who have died are Mexican or had other serious medical conditions already.

How many die every year from less fashionable (by media standards) types of flu...far, far more I reckon.

So I say defininitly go and take your daughter...just use the same precautions and common sense you would with any colds and flu threat.

Regards
JAS

[whufc]

Is it the media that are keeping you all terrified?

Our first case in the UK was not long after it all started and out of a population of 60 million and who would be a lot more crowed together than you guys we still only have 450 confirmed cases in total.

As far as I know the only people who have died are Mexican or had other serious medical conditions already.

How many die every year from less fashionable (by media standards) types of flu...far, far more I reckon.

So I say defininitly go and take your daughter...just use the same precautions and common sense you would with any colds and flu threat.

Regards

JAS

There now saying there is 900 confirmed cases in Melbourne alone

[Dirko]

Mate my Mum & Dad are over there this weekend for the Footy, and we have a family of 5 from Melbourne flying in tomorrow for the weekend.

Just go and have fun....

[JAS]

Ok and I'll bet that's due to something like a couple of schools with pupils who were confirmed...but it's still a minute percentage of the population of Melbourne...you have to try and keep it in perspective...900 sounds a big number on it's own but it's tiny compared to the number of people living in Melbourne.

Just did a quick search ...see if this site has anything or advice that might help ease your worries.

http://www.swinefluaustralia.com/

Regards
JAS

[Jimmy_041]

NO

[JK]

Fair question mate, and "I dunno" is my instinctive response ... I guess if you have any doubt it's not a bad idea to err on the side of caution.

I must admit I've not followed any of the media reports on how dangerous the virus is, I was (probably wrongly) thinking it wasn't much worse than the standard flu which is pretty hard to guard against.

[JAS]

I think I've worked this out correctly.

Melbourne has a population of about 4 million (not counting those visiting from outside every day)....so 900 is 0.0225% of the population of Melbourne and I think about 0.004% of the population of Australia as a whole.

I honestly think you've probably got more chance of being taken out by a snake bite at the moment...or a bus

Regards
JAS

[Thiele]

Yes go and enjoy yourself

[Sam_goUUUdogs]

Having spent a couple days in Melbourne this week, it really doesn't seem anywhere near as bad as its made out to be, people over there don't seem to be to worried at all, I saw a total of 5 people wearing face masks, 1 was an airport employee, there were 2 women in the city/carlton area, and then there were 2 guys that had masks with QLD and NSW stuff on them at the rugby league and were just taking the piss.

I would suggest maybe keep an eye on the tally in NSW and QLD over the next few days, with about 15,000+ people from those states traveling to Melbourne during the week, (and you would assume quite a few of them would have done the typical tourist type things) It should give a fair indication of what the chances of catching it in Melbourne really are.

[Dog_ger]

NO

NO x 2

[Wedgie]

I wouldn't take a 5 month old on a drive like that regardless of swine flu as they're not going to get anything out of it.
In fact I wouldn't take a kid on a drive like that till they were at least primary school age.
Throw Swine Flu into the equation and its a no brainer if you're a half responsible parent IMHO.
Your daughter would get more enjoyment out of a visit to the local park or zoo and it would be less riskier healthwise.

[Bully]

agreed with wedgie i wouldnt take a 5 month old on a trip for that long myself personally. But hey why would you want to go to victoria anyway ?

[whufc]

I wouldn't take a 5 month old on a drive like that regardless of swine flu as they're not going to get anything out of it.
In fact I wouldn't take a kid on a drive like that till they were at least primary school age.
Throw Swine Flu into the equation and its a no brainer if you're a half responsible parent IMHO.
Your daughter would get more enjoyment out of a visit to the local park or zoo and it would be less riskier healthwise.

I will clarify we are going over to take my daughter to see some family she hasn't met yet. The sight seeing stuff is for the benefit of my wife who hasn't been to Melbourne before.

The drive is a little bit of a worry, but we are co-inciding it with her sleep patttern, we are leaving at 9pm when she normally goes to bed. She is now generally sleeping through the whole night. So fingers crossed she will sleep most of the journey.

Not so before though i swear we have had to drive around for eight hours at night just to keep her asleep as at times being in the car was the only way she would sleep.

[am Bays]

The reality is whufc, you have more chance of being in a car accident over there than catching swine flu based on current incident results.

[Psyber]

Having been close to death twice due to severe influenza - age 8 and again age 13 - I wouldn't go the Melbourne myself at present.
[I had a very high temperature and hallucinations due to it both times - which is odd because I hardly ever get ill otherwise.]

[Dutchy]

Id still go but just keep a close eye on it right up to before you leave

Its actually good for a young kid to get used to a long trip in the car, try doing it when they are 2 or 3 and you will have all sorts of problems. Best thing kids can do is get used to the car, I know someone who didnt take their daughter out of the house for the first 10 weeks of their life, so had never been in a car, she is now 3 and still refuses to sleep in the car no matter how tired she is or what part of the day it is!

[wycbloods]

I wouldn't go with my 1 year old son atm. I am sure the trip can wait a few months. Better to be safe than sorry i'd say.

[Wedgie]

My daughter is having her friend over today as her friend was suppose to go to Melbourne for a basketball tourney, Bordertown will be missing out on some business atm.

[SABRE]

It's just a question of holes.
I'd choose Coober Pedy because I like lots of little holes.
On the other hand, if you really enjoy one big hole,
you're definately going to the right place !

Don't worry, be happy.