OK, about this pig thing

I may end up gasping to my death and you can say, “I told you so.” But for what it’s worth, I think this swine flu deal is a case of a good crisis milked for all it's worth to get a HHS secy confirmed, a DHS secy rehabilitated. Mexican immigration questioned, community health centers funded, more billions in pharco money, and so on.

At very least, it is a roiling hotbed of weirdness and misinformation four days in. And speaking of that—how can an epidemic "start" on a slow news day like a Sunday anyhow and be almost full cry in 24 hrs?

Just lucky, I guess.

People are trying to get Tamiflu, which is not a vaccine. There is no vaccine. The one you got in last fall’s flu shot does not protect against this Bird-Pig Mutant…sounds scarier that way, doesn’t it?

Tamiflu can shorten the course of any flu and head off life-threatening pneumonia. So that may be an approach. We have 35 million doses, with many reserved for emergency personnel.

Before you get into a complete tizz and buy out the store on masks, remember, 36 million people die of plain-old-boring flu every year. This kind does strike people in their prime (why I know I am safe, heh).

So…wash your hands before eating. And certainly AFTER taking off that mask. You are believing that it’s potentially coated with mutant death, right?

And maybe from the inside, too—you can catch any flu from someone before they have symptoms.

They closed a school in Phoenix for a week because one case came back confirmed. The kid got better the week before.

What does this mean? The usual. Crapshoot.

Are part-timers the first to bite it?

Sue Shellenbarger (WSJ, Apr 22, 2009) asks if part-timers, flex-timers and telecommuters are easy targets of layoffs.

At some companies, yes, at others, no, apparently.

Some companies revoke all such arrangements and call you back to the office.

In tough times, she says, some employers think full-time, flat-out working under the eyes of a boss is the only way to go.

Others may see they are saving on benefits and salary with the part-timer. The person at home also uses less electricity and office space. In one survey, almost 30% of companies polled were considering part-time or four-day workweeks.

Usually, employees don’t like to ask for this, though, when things are shaky.

Ask yourself—what is my company’s priority right now and am I contributing to that? If your are involved with some side issue, try to get onboard with the central priority.

Be realistic. If you have to show up for a meeting on your day off, do it.

It could save you from having ALL the days off.

After..forever...health care may be sprung on us

The administration is thinking of trying to ram through a huge multi-spadillion dollar health care thing (they already got Congress to pony startup money) without hearings really or a chance for amendments.

So—hope ya like it.

NPR, Kaiser and Harvard did make a small attempt to find out what the great unwashed thought about it (that would be us).

I think, but am not sure, you have to buy some policy if you don’t have one and companies can drop what they have to they can compete with cheesy firms overseas and make you buy something else….I think. Oh, who knows.

The first step besides the billions they put in the cookie jar is the electronic medical record, which was billed as saving money, but which people don’t think will save much.

Three out of four Americans in this poll said they thought that electronic records were “important” and would improve things and prevent errors, but they don’t think they will save much money.

Personally, I don't want the feds anywhere near my information.

Half those polled said their doctors communicated fine with each other. Naturally those who did not think that usually had more doctors.

Only 22% of those surveyed had asked about the cost of a test.

Yet, half the public thinks there is a “major problem” with people getting unnecessary tests. Only 16%, though, thought THEY had every received an unnecessary test.

About half had talked to the doctor about scientific evidence that a treatment worked in comparison with cheaper approaches.

Here, though, the participants got cold feet. Less than half would trust an independent body supported by the govt to decide whether a treatment should be covered.

Well, heck let everyone have anything. Let the doctor and patient decide—just pay.

Not gonna happen that way.

In fact, I read about the osteoporosis drug Actonel—the company is going to guarantee it works or else the company will pay for treating the broken bone. What if all companies HAVE to say this or not be listed on the federally approved formularies. I have no idea if this will happen…I don’t know where this is going, if anywhere.

But I do know we don’t want any silly old discussions or open hearings.

Ack--dive, dive, metaphor alert

Business guru Harvey Mackay writes about gardens…as a way of explaining job hunting or working or something.

First, he says, plant three rows of peas—passion, performance, and persistence.

Then, some squash…squashing gossip, indifference, and criticism.

Then, lettuce. Let us be true to our obligations, unselfish, loyal.

Please—someone—kill me.

But no one did. So, now we have turnips. Turn up with determination, vision—and a smile.

How persistent should you be…One salesman said, “It depends on which of us dies first."

Doesn't he mean "gets weeded out"?

How sad when a metaphor has to die. Like taking the wings off an angel.

Chap chap chap that gum

One time, a friend of mine and I chewed gum all day at the mall and got back in the car and our jaws locked at the same moment. Funny! We looked at each other and went mmm, mmm in utter pain and misery.

Now the good gray heads at Emory have determined that kids who chew gum may be smarter.

Oh, look, the study was sponsored by the Wrigley Institute. Oh, well, proceeding on that basis, they divided 108 eighth graders into a Houston charter school into chewers and nonchewers. The chewers chewed during homework and test taking. Sure enough, the chewers upped their scores 3%.

Three percent could be merit pay for some teachers, so are they sure they want to ban gum in schools? The gum chewers also needed fewer breaks, paid attention better and were quieter (except, presumably, for the masticating pops).

Another study showed that gum chewing cut the cravings for snacks.

They just want to sell more gum, grumped one nutritionist (I know her).

Even some dude at Mayo said chewing burned some calories. Eleven per hour. Of course, if you chew sugarless (sorbitol, the artificial stuff, supposedly also cuts decay) instead of chewing brownies, you save on calories.

Especially now, with everyone worrying their brains out, gum could have some function.

Just get ready for that uh-oh moment when your jaws freeze.

Job Fairs--you never know

On “60 Minutes,” they highlighted some peeps lining up around the block for a job fair—Marriott, I think it was. One woman seemed so great I would have hired her to organize me if I could have afforded it.

You can go to Mr Google and put in job fair and your city and see what’s shaking.

I have not been to one yet for transportation reasons, but I think there is value in getting into business clothes, sharpening your short pitch, and meeting people to face to face.

Too many companies like to hide online so they won’t be accused of discriminating or confronted by embarrassing neediness or weirdness.

The tables at fairs are dwindling. A big one here was down 50%, although 15,000 employees suited up.

Still, even the most hardened HR person says lightning can strike.

Some important rules: Dress appropriately.

Try to find out which companies will be there and look them up.

Create a 30-second “Why you should hire me” presentation.

If there are workshops, go to them. The recruiters may be there.

If there is a big line, don’t worry. You can even go later after it thins.

Very important tip: You may talk to a recruiter and then be told you must apply online. Don’t let your face fall or get POed. Don’t! Just smile and say, “Let me make sure I have the correct information.” If you are calm and nice about it, you may even get a personal email address from the recruiter.

Most of all, remember what one HR pro calls the Four Ps. Packaging, preparation, presentation, and persistence.

And no flipflops.

You can triumph even in the big stores

Tania Anderson, writing on Washingtonpost.com, says you need to outsmart the stores these days. First, leave the kiddies at home. Did you know they influence 80% of their parents’ buying? I don’t mean candy and that stuff, either.

Bring the kid—buy 30% more. Retailers are licking their chops.

Make a list. Remember those? Sticking to the list and buying the cheapest of each product on it—save a third!

Forget those limited-time offers. And those free gift things—how free is free if you have to buy something for $29 to get it?

Forget the fear appeals—all your teeth will fall out, etc. It’s just toothpaste.

Bring a calculator. Add up groceries as you go along.

Change your shopping habits—cruise different aisles, check prices in a different store.

And might I add—you might see a food you used to like that you don’t normally buy. It’s fun!