Flu Season is Coming

The following is a nootice from the Kent County Health Department regarding Flu Shots:

Health Notes 

A Service of the Kent County Health Department

October 2011

Flu Season is Approaching!

Yes, it is that time of year again.  Influenza, or the flu, impacts schools and the workforce, but it can be prevented.  According to the CDC, the flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and lungs. Flu viruses can spread when people with flu cough, sneeze, or even talk! Someone might also get flu by touching a surface or object (like a phone) that has flu virus on it, and then touching their own mouth, eyes, or nose.  It can cause mild to severe illness, and in severe cases, can lead to death.

Signs and symptoms:

·         Fever* or feeling feverish/chills

·         Cough and/or sore throat

·         Runny or stuffy nose

·         Muscle or body aches

·         Headaches

·         Fatigue (very tired)

·         Vomiting and diarrhea (more common in children than adults)

*It’s important to note that not everyone with flu will have a fever.

Prevention:

·         Cover your nose and mouth with tissue when you cough or sneeze.

·         Wash your hands often with soap and water, or use alcohol-based hand rub.

·         Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth, as germs spread this way.

• The CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine to protect against flu viruses.  The 2011-2012 vaccine will protect against an influenza A H3N2 virus, an influenza B virus and the H1N1 virus that emerged in 2009.

·         People at high risk of serious flu complications include young children, pregnant women, people with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart and lung disease, and people 65 years and older.

·         Health care workers and people who live with or care for high risk people to keep from spreading flu to high risk people should consider vaccinations.

·         Children younger than 6 months are at high risk of serious flu illness, but are too young to be vaccinated. People who care for them should be vaccinated instead.

Stick it to the Flu!

Be sure to check out the Kent County Health Department website, “Stick it to the Flu” at http://www.stickittotheflu.com/ to learn more about flu vaccinations, prevention tips and treatment, or call (616) 742-4FLU to make an appointment. 

WATER ON!!!

The water main at 28th & Kraft has been repaired and service has been restored.  If you were effected, it would be a good idea to flush your water lines before using it.

WATER OUTAGE!

Friday, September 16, 2011  9:45am

There is a broken water main at 28th & Kraft. Water is off for a number of the offices south and east of the corner.  The City of GR will advise businesses when the water is safe to use.  Be sure to flush your lines (let the water run) before using it for drinking.

Glycol from the Grand Rapids Airport

WOW!!!!  Things sure can get bloated out of control quickly!!  The stories about the de-icing from the airport getting into the Thornapple River have a lot of falsehoods in them!!   Here are some explanations of what you may have read or heard:

First, the de-icing liquid used at the airport is Propylene Glycol, not Ethylene Glycol.  Ethylene Glycol is uesd in vehicle radiators and is very toxic if ingested (that's why you don't let your dog lick puddles in parking lots! - it will kill them!).  Propylene Glycol, used for de-icing aircraft, is also used in some food products, food coloring, mouthwash and toothpaste.  The liquid is quick to evaporate.  When test samples were taken in the Thornapple River (when it was being used at the airport - which has been done for the last 20+ years), none was found - it had evaporated before getting there.

Second, one of the possibilities to remove the Glycol from the creek is to re-direct it from the current creek into a man-made "creek" mixed with other stormwater runoff from the airport.  The new tributary would have check dams and other additions to help the Glycol dissipate and evaporate.  The Glycol will still not make it to the Thornapple River.

Third, another possibility is to collect the Glycol and route it to the Grand Rapids Waste Water Treatment Plant.  Talks continue on this option.  There was a test of this option last winter and there may be another this year to help determine the viability of this option.

Cascade Township has and will continue to have good communications and good relations with the airport.  We will (with the airport), work towards a positive solution to the disposal of the Glycol from the airport.