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Danger of London 'grinding to halt' in flu panic
Mark Prigg07.05.09
Public panic would be the biggest barrier to keeping the capital running during a flu pandemic, London Assembly health chiefs warned today.
They said schools and offices had to stay open wherever possible to stop London "grinding to a halt" should the swine flu outbreak worsen.
It is feared that more schools could take the decision to close as the number of British cases rises.
The UK has 32 confirmed cases of the virus, with 390 people awaiting results of tests. There are 1,900 cases in 24 countries, with more than 1,100 in Mexico and 600 in the US.
This week three London schools and a nursery closed because of suspected outbreaks.
However, an emergency meeting of the Assembly's health and public services committee was told that one closed against Health Protection Agency advice.
Dolphin School in Battersea and its nursery, Noah's Ark, shut after two cases of swine flu. They were still closed last night, with a telephone message saying children's work would be sent by post. The two pupils at Dolphin were siblings and close contacts of another infected child, the HPA said.
The HPA confirmed the school was not on the list of those it advised to close. "If schools suspect pupils have swine flu, we will work with them to conduct a full risk analysis, and then issue advice," it said.
Today the London Assembly criticised the school's decision. James Cleverly, chairman of the health and public services committee, said: "Schools need to listen to and follow medical advice. If they continue to decide themselves to close London will grind to a halt.
"As a parent I can understand their fears, but they absolutely have to follow the advice of experts. One of the biggest problems we are facing is managing the public's fear."
Mr Cleverly urged Londoners to carry on as normal while experts examine how the virus will spread.
The HPA last week told two schools - Alleyn's School, Dulwich, and South Hampstead High School to close. South Hampstead is to reopen today, while Alleyn's will remain shut, although it said exams next week would go ahead.
Exam regulator Ofqual was meeting today to discuss contingency plans for GCSE, AS and A-level exams should more schools close.
Reader views (14)
'Health Chiefs' are obviously not medically qualified to express an opinion. Schools are correct to close on medical grounds as they are Ground Zero of a flu transmission.
Fortunately the public cares about their own health more than these politicians do.
- Pete, London
Imagine! London gets snow and flu at the same time. Chaos scenario.
- Fred, London
London will not grind to a halt.
London didn't even grind to a halt during the Black Death, or the Blitz so let's get real.
- Tim, London
All this fuss about FLU! Come on people, stop being such babies and get on with it. Where is our stiff upper lip, our Blitz time definance and spirit?
- Natty, London
We are all inan uproar about swine flu.
What about HIV/AIDS?
That is killing a lot of people.
- Desiree G, St.Johns,Antigua
Swine Flu is nothing....what about MAN FLU!!!!
- Jh, London
Scorpio, I like the way you're thinking - no school, no work, sounds ideal, virus or no!!
- H, London, UK
London grinds to a standstill every Friday afternoon when people leave work for an early week end or go and get bladdered...probably wouldn't know the difference if the pandemic strikes.
- Rosie, watford
For Sale 31,999,99 face masks purchased for the mass panic caused by Labour and the media. but not used, open to offers Apply 10 Dowing Street,London
- Mike, London England
Where have all the scientists gone? The epidemic that really sweeps the city is scare mongering! Now, the overinflated accounts, non scientific proclamations and ignorant assumptions could well bring the city to a stand still.
Try this for size. There were said to be over 130 deaths in Mexico and it turns out that fact reduces that total to a less than a quarter mortalities.
Viruses? It is the strength of the virus against the victim and environment. Does that say don't worry? No. It says, be careful. Practice germ containing habits, ie, using handkercheif, washing hands etc. If you suspect you or your family are infected, don't share breathing spece with the vulnerable.
I heard a cracker of a Doctor on TV say, if he had to prioratise, cancer patients would not be a priority. Piffle! Most of us will not get it, those of us who do, are likely to survive and it is the sick and vulnerable who will beed extra care. So let's get on with it.
- Maria, London
Last week the authorities attempted to frighten the population by stating that exactly 94,000 peeps in London would die of swine flu.
Really?
This week it is proclaimed that London could grind to a standstill because of the swine flu.
I HAVE NEVER READ SUCH UNADULTERATED RUBBISH IN ALL MY LIFE.
There is a world North of Watford I assume?
- Reuben Camara, Morecambe UK
Are 'They' still trying to scare us with talk of Pig flu pandemic?
- Goggs, London
Just have a week of pure protection. No School, No Work, No meetings of large groups of people. That is the only way to succsesfully quarantine the virus and isolate those infected. My school is incredibly close to one of the outbreaks. Four people in a school down the road were ill with swine flu. They had there school closed for a week.
- Scorpio, Birmingham
Well the Govt have only themselves to blame with their nanny state-ism and the health and safety culture they have promulgated, we've reared a nation of babies. Add to that the vast numbers of self-serving foreigners in London that have no vested interest in the nation and lack the traditional stoicism and stiff upper lip Britons are famed for and you have a recipe for public disorder on a grand scale at the first opportunity.
- Squiz, Islington
