grants of immunity

As we all know, the media recently have focused a lot of time and attention on the “swine flu.” Now that the vaccine has become available in limited quantities, the media have been devoting their attention to where the vaccine is supposed to be available. More importantly, they have been reminding us over and over again as to the age groups that will be able to avail themselves of the vaccine.

In case you have not noticed, one group of people is notably absent from being to obtain protection against the “swine flu” by obtaining the vaccine. The fact is that the vaccine is not available to “seniors” over the age of 64. The logic put forth is that many of these “seniors” may have been exposed to this type of flu previously, and therefore, they may have built up an immunity to it. That is an awful lot of assumptions about immunity for one category of people, and so far none of the media have presented statistical evidence supporting the conclusion about immunity for “seniors.”

Normally, I would not become overly concerned about a flu vaccine, nor would I get excited about all of the media attention being given to a “flu outbreak.” Normally, I would consider this “media blitz” nothing but another “chicken dance” to sell their story. Given all of the recent “goings on” by the federal government and by the media regarding “health care,” I began to wonder if the distribution plan for the H1N1 vaccine is a clear indication of what the federal government may really be thinking about in terms of “health care” coverage, or the lack thereof, for “senior” citizens.

Before you write this commentary off as just some cynical critique of the potential “health care” program we may be facing, take a few more minutes to consider the following:

1. As I have pointed out in earlier articles, government involvement in business is not about profits, it is about control. Health care run by the government is just another means to control another aspect of our lives by dictating who is and who is not eligible for a specific treatment.

2. By taking control of “health care”, the government also gets to grow by virtue of establishing another czar and another agency.

3. We all know the pundits are forecasting that Medicare and social security systems are not sustainable over the long term. I guess that means there are more “seniors” becoming eligible for these programs; thereby, putting another financial strain on the programs.

4. Is there really an ulterior motive here? Is there an underlying thought process that says certain services and treatments should be withheld from “seniors” on the basis that the cost to society exceeds the return on a particular “senior’s” life expectancy? Who do you suppose will make that determination? My best guess is some young government clerk with absolutely no medical background or expertise!

5. Is withholding the H1N1 vaccine the precursor of what is to come with regard to other health services once the government is in control of who gets care?

Oh yes, just one more thing to think about. How many of our “senior” elected officials and government staffers do you suppose have been denied access to the H1N1 vaccine?

Mr. Newman has roughly 40 years of industry experience – 28 years as part of the Ford Motor Company management team, and more recently, as President and COO of the Strategic Alliances Consulting Group, Inc. His business background encompasses a broad spectrum of experience in various disciplines including purchasing, finance, product planning, export planning, business planning and international business development.

During his last 10 years at Ford Motor Company, Mr. Newman successfully negotiated 46 licensing agreements in 12 countries, 9 joint ventures in 4 countries, 6 acquisitions and 2 divestitures. In his capacity as President and COO of Strategic Alliances, in addition to continuing to assist clients with their acquisition and divestiture efforts, Mr. Newman developed a strategic and business planning process which was implemented successfully at many automotive supplier operations in North America and in Europe. This process also was successfully implemented at a charitable organization and several small entrepreneurial business enterprises.

To read more about Mr. Newman’s business insights on business alliances, negotiation and other must have business tips, read his Book, Beyond the Chicken Dance (http://www.beyondthechickendance.com)

Immunity $56.23 For undergraduates and medical students, this text covers the immune response to infection. DeFranco (microbiology and immunology, U. of California San Francisco Medical School) et al. focus on molecular interactions and the special properties of molecules and signaling pathways that underlie the essential properties of immune cells and their responses. Each chapter consists of two-page sections on a topic; the text, illustrations, definitions, and references are in a modular format that can be used in any order. They cover immune mechanisms, major molecular families, innate immunity and adaptive responses, lymphocytes, and immune regulation and immunological disease. Annotation )2007 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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