Editorial

Be prepared for flu, travel in wintery weather

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Flu activity is slowly increasing and it's only a matter of time before it's in full bloom, according to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.

Nebraskans are among the most faithful in getting flu shots, 54 percent of us 6 months of age or older covered by flu vaccine, the fourth best state in the nation for the 2014-15 season.

Flu vaccine not only protects you, but your family, friends and co-workers as well, said Courtney Phillips, CEO of the DHHS.

Dr. Tom Safranek, state epidemiologist, agrees. "Vaccination plays a critical role in the fight against the flu. It can reduce flu-related illnesses, visits to the doctor, missed work and school and flu-related hospitalizations," he said.

It takes about two weeks for your body to build immunity following the flu vaccination, so there's still time to get that shot before the typical flu season peak in December and February.

Flu is a serious matter; there were 84 flu-related deaths in Nebraska last season, according to the DHHS.

People most in need of vaccination include young children, adults 65 or older, pregnant women, people with chronic lung disease like asthma and COPD, diabetes, heart disease, neurologic conditions and certain other long-term health conditions, residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities.

Flu vaccine is safe, effective and rigorously tested. You might be sore or your skin red where you received the injection, but there's also FluMist, a nasal spray that may be available for healthy people 2-49 years old.


With snowy winter weather predicted this afternoon, we hope you're safe and warm while you're reading this.

With Thanksgiving only a week away, however, the State Farm insurance folks offered a timely reminder to be prepared when you venture out over hazardous highways.

Clean the summertime junk out of your trunk and replace it with a potentially life-saving winter emergency travel kit.

They suggest:

* Hazard triangle (with reflectors) or road flares

* First aid kit

* Jumper cables or small battery charger

* Windshield scraper and brush

* Spare tire (make sure jack and lug wrench are in vehicle)

* Tow strap

* Blankets and extra warm clothing

* Cell phone and charger

* Road salt or cat litter to help with tire traction

* Brightly colored flag or "Help" sign

* Flashlight (with working batteries), matches or lighter

* Tarp for sitting or kneeling in the snow for exterior work like a tire change

* Small tool kit or multi-tool

* Duct tape -- for temporary fixes

* High-calorie, non-perishable food

* Water

* Crucial medication

If you already travel with an emergency kit, be sure everything is still working, such as flashlight batteries. Check whether food or medications may have expired.

Better yet, monitor weather closely and stay at home if roads are likely to be impassable.

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