Is CX doing anything on the flu going around
 

Chance of getting this is STILL very slim, however since this is looking somewhat fatal, is CX disallowing people with cold/fly symptoms from flying? Just curious if anyone has seen anything while flying CX this week. I'm on two segments Thursday and Friday this week.

The problem is that one can be a carrier without showing signs of flu like symptoms till later. So it's very difficult to detect.

So what are you going to do? Duck and shout for "Quarantine" when someone sneezes or coughs?

If you're nervous, just buy a surgical mask to wear on the plane. It'll protect you from any of the particles floating around.

Actually it has been reported in the press in Singapore that a surgical mask is not going to help much.

Wear a surgical mask and sit on 1A/K. Put a surgical curtain to isolate your seat. Bring in an air purifyer for added safety. Only eat and drink sterile products you bring onboard. Don't talk to anyone, and remain in your shelter.

Now that should help! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

The reason surgical mask does not work is because most surgical masks do not have particulate filter respirators built into them. Even if one can find a mask that has the filter, he or she has to keep changing the masks multiple times inflight since there is a time limit to the respirator.

Anyway, I guess the flight and cabin crew can always report passengers having those suspicious symptoms and have them pull off the plane like they did to those three people on Singapore Airlines en route from JFK to SIN at Frankfurt. But then there is no guarantee since we all breathe through the same recycled air inside a big metal tube for an extended period of time.

Ironically, I will be flying from YVR to SIN to SFO with a stopover in HKG for a 9 day period next week all on CX, I will let you guys know how that all go, or if I will even be allowed back to this country. :-(

My reading is that many of those working in hospitals weren't using their masks. A standard plastic surgical mask will keep out large droplets, and that is really all that's needed. So far as we know, this is spread like the cold, and that means fairly large droplets.

This is not gas, okay. It's just prevention from catching the flu.

Even if it's not 100%, reducing the number of inhaled droplets will improve your chance of not catching whatever it is. It's not like one single virus strand will infect you with a given disease.

[This message has been edited by Plato90s (edited 03-16-2003).]

No reason to panic - was just wondering if CX changed any boarding procedures, etc. Again incubation period is a key issue. Common sense is to just stay away from close contact to people. The masks help a little, but still nothing is totally foolproof.

It's not influenza but a pneumonia, and they do not know what's causing the illness (bacteria or virus).

CNBC ASIA stated it was identified as 123HK at around 8am this morning. Therefore it is a virus and treatable.

SHADO

There is no treatment for a virus other than to support your body's own defence against it.

If it was a bacteria, then it's treatable with antibiotics. With any viral disease, it's up to each patient to fight it off on their own.

Prior to infection, it's possible to vaccinate with a small amount of virus to build natural antibodies, but again - no treatment other than what your body naturally produces.

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[This message has been edited by piet (edited 03-30-2003).]

First, take some good immune system support supplements. Vit C 5000-10,000 mg per day is one of the best. There are others like Thymus, and herbs specific for infections.

Second, if the bug is viable, then the cabin crew would be getting sick, if their immune system is weakened. I know a lot of them take extra vitamins to help with the stress of flying. The bug does not know who the passengers are and who the Flight crew are!

In other words, treatable (not "curable")

Today (03/20/03), The Boston Globe ran the old AP story claiming it was an "unknown virus with no known cure". That is false, it is now known was isolated in order to identify. But as usual, a commercial newspaper with morons that don't pass its neighboring WLVI-TV 56 building in Dorchester, will print old stories out of laziness. May they hit the pot-hole. The local free newspaper "The Metro" roled the correct story, yesterday 03/19/03)

Now to the matter at hand. CX888 (one of the most delightful flights I had yesterday) at JFK was ordered to hold its passengers in their seats at docking so the CDC could come on board and pass out yellow cards with information. A *scary* caucasion woman that looked like Barbara Bain's older sister looked/scanned at everyone on the left side of the plane with these HUGE blue eyes, then returned back and left (she probably was after my big mouth).

I think the USA *should* have a Health Inspection segment set up, much like NRT has before customs. Because they don't, there is no need to have the CDC check "half the plane". Make note, YVR did not check anyone when leaving during the stop-over.

The FA passed out the cards which everyone has to hold for one week. Then we were allowed to get off. Terminal 7 at JFK is a billion times better than Terminal 8 or 9. Will keep that in mind when flying over the pacific.

At NRT, CX passed out white leaflets informing PAX about the virus (listed as SARS) and to be careful and what to do if becoming sick. News reports in Asia claimed CX would refuse PAX if they appeared sick. This was NOT a Cathay Pacific announcement, however.

As always, *ALL* my CX flights in both Y and J were excellent! No problems and only excellent service as expected from CX!

BTW, I feel great and will buy numbered tickets with CX as the flight number, so CX gets the money.

SHADO

[This message has been edited by SHADO (edited 03-20-2003).]

Was on CX882 today (HKG-LAX)

Only saw about 1% of people walking through HKG airport with masks. NO airport or airline personnel were spotted with any (so no signs of panic)

Also did notice contrary to some reports NO notices were handed out in HKG or on arrival at LAX warning of SARS and to visit a doctor if you get symptoms (the CDC cards). We were 30 mins early, but you would think if the CDC had someone handing out the cards that they would have made some effort to meet the flight.

Oh well...