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TODAY'S
ISSUE
West Nile Virus out
there; be careful about mosquitoes
By Dr. Lloyd Hofer
District Health Director, Lawrenceville
Special to GwinnettForum.com
May 6, 2003 -- West Nile virus (WNV) is a disease that is spread
by mosquitoes. West Nile can infect humans and some types of animals.
The incubation period is 3 - 15 days. Symptoms of WNV in humans
are usually mild and may include fever, headache, swollen glands,
and/or a rash. Encephalitis and death occur rarely. WNV is most
serious in people who are over 50 years old and in people with chronic
illness.
The principle route of human infection with West Nile virus is
through the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes become infected
when they feed on infected birds. You don't have to stop outdoor
activities but you can reduce your risk of being bitten by mosquitoes
if you:
- Reduce the time spent outdoors at dusk when mosquitoes are most
active.
- Wear pants, long sleeves, shoes, and socks when you are outdoors
at times when mosquitoes are most active.
- Install and/or repair window and door screens so that mosquitoes
cannot get indoors.
- Use an insect repellent that contains DEET on exposed skin.
For children, use products that contain 10% or less DEET. Do not
apply to the hands of children. For adults use products that contain
no more than 30% DEET. DO NOT use DEET on infants and pregnant
women.
- Whenever you use an insecticide or insect repellent, read and
follow the manufacturer's DIRECTIONS FOR USE, as printed on the
product.
Don't allow mosquitoes to breed near your home.
- Drain sources of standing water. In this way, you reduce the
number of places mosquitoes can lay their eggs and breed.
- Empty water from flower pots, pet food and water dishes, birdbaths,
swimming pool covers, buckets, barrels, and cans at least twice
a week.
- Check for clogged rain gutters and clean them out.
- Remove discarded tires, and other items that could collect water.
- Be sure to check for containers or trash in places that may
be hard to see, such as under bushes or under your home.
- Properly chlorinate swimming pools and cover any pool that is
not in use. Be sure the cover does not accumulate water.
Use larvicide products now available to consumers. Various larvicide
products are now available at most hardware and home improvements
stores. The most common commercial larvicide is Bacillus thuringiensis
var. israelensis (Bti), a biological pesticide. Common brand names
for Bti are Mosquito Dunks, VectoBac, Aquabac, and Bactimos. The
products include pellets, briquettes, liquids and sprays which are
applied to ponds and other standing water to prevent mosquito breeding.
You Health Department is here to help. People who find dead birds
of prey such as crows, blue jays, hawks, (birds of prey) should
contact their County Health Department Environmental Health Section.
Residents are asked to describe the bird and its location. Staff
will determine if the bird meets criteria for testing for West Nile
virus. If the bird qualifies for testing a representative of the
Environmental Health Section will come to the site and pick up the
bird. If the bird doesn't qualify, the caller will be instructed
to double-bag the bird and put it in the trash for trash pickup,
bury it or burn the bird.
To report dead birds or for more information on West Nile
virus, contact:
Environmental Health Section, Gwinnett County Board of Health, 240
Oak Street, Building A, Lawrenceville, Georgia 30045; Phone: (770)
963-5132.
ELLIOTT
BRACK
No
telling how long flag will be a problem for Georgia
By Elliott Brack
editor and publisher
GwinnettForum.com
MAY 6, 2003 -- The flag of Georgia will continue to be a major
topic not only here, but all across the nation.
All because of Dr. Sonny Perdue.
It did not have to be.
Many Georgians saw what happened over the last several years in
South Carolina, and realized that fiddling with the flag would only
exacerbate the situation. Though many were and still are not entirely
pleased with the soon-fading blue flag that Roy Barnes rammed through
the last legislative session. Yet the Barnes flag had with it elements
that stopped the debateŠ.until Dr. Perdue came onto the scene.
What had happened in South Carolina never registered with Dr. Perdue.
In that state, the controversy over flying the Confederate flag
atop their statehouse worried lots of people. It even encouraged
a boycott, and threatened to disrupt the state for years with a
tremendous loss of tourist dollars.
Finally, the South Carolina legislature cobbled a compromise. Like
most compromises, no one was happy with. The Legislature moved the
Confederate flag from the statehouse, a victory for liberals, but
they placed it on the statehouse grounds, a victory for conservatives.
Everyone was unhappy, but it halted the economic boycott, tourism
was happy, and the issue faded from the media's attention.
Looks like Georgia could have followed that same course, of letting
the flag issue die. Most Georgians did. One did not. His name was
Sonny Perdue, and he was running a campaign for governor. While
never openly endorsing a major change in the flag, he insinuated
enough times that he would like for people to have a vote on the
flag.
That was all some people needed to throw their support to Dr. Perdue
in the governor's race. After all, their other choice was the guy
who had engineered the flag change. There was no doubt who their
candidate was.
(As an aside here, let me suggest once again: the flag did not
put Dr. Perdue in office. The high-handed, arrogant manner of the
legislative reapportionment of Georgia, another of Roy Barnes' engineering
jobs, we think was the deciding factor, since it influenced the
entire state.)
But once Sonny Perdue was elected, the baggage he toted in was
the flag issue, which Dr. Perdue allowed to return when he, as governor,
insisted that the people be given a vote on the matter.
Fortunately, instead of having what the flaggers wanted, the up-or-down
vote on the Confederate emblems on the flag, cooler heads prevailed.
Though the matter has calmed a bit, still the flag issue simmers
underneath the surface, now to be voted on next March. Yep, Georgia
still has some question about a flag.
The ironic aspect is that the one flag most Georgians seem to want,
the pre-1956, won't even be on the ballot.
Instead, the two flags Georgian will choose from is the current
blue flag, and a new version similar to the pre-1956 flag, with
a small "In God We Trust" on it.
Many are perplexed on which flag to vote for. Both have baggage.
Georgia's governor didn't learn from South Carolina. And the vote
next March may not be the end of the Georgia flag issue.
ABOUT
OUR SPONSORS
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public spiritedness of our sponsors allows us to bring GwinnettForum.com
to you at no cost to readers. Today's featured sponsor is Barron's
Fine Jewelry, located at 1905 Scenic Highway, in Snellville.
Barron's carried a vast array of high quality jewelry and certified
diamonds, and prides itself in custom design of jewelry done on
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at http://www.barronsfinejewelry.com.
FEEDBACK
5/6: Hispanic mother
got ovation at area school meeting
Editor, the Forum:
Thank you, Elliott, for once again stepping forward as the
voice of reason. Those of us who are active parents, spending
our days, nights and weekends at our local schools, know our
children are safe, well supervised and are
receiving an outstanding education.
It pains me that portions of our citizenry cannot see the great
gift that has been provided. Perhaps if they had heard the Hispanic
mother who stood up last Thursday night at the Norcross area
board meeting to say, in halting English and with a voice cracking
from emotion, "Thank you Gwinnett board members and Mr.
Wilbanks for giving my children opportunities my husband and
I have never had. God Bless America."
She received a standing ovation.
-- Kelly Herndon, Grayson
5/6: More comment
on recent school column
Editor, the Forum:
I felt compelled to respond to your recent "Boo birds
are out."
You indicated this controversy is meaningless. I adamantly
disagree. You must remove the blinders of friendship and realize
when people are elected to represent the public and appoint
others to manage our resources; a great deal of trust is being
placed in these individuals. Violation of that trust does have
meaning
It appears you felt Mr. Porter's "criminal" investigation
is unwarranted. I assure you he would like nothing more than
to move on to other matters. His public commitment cannot be
questioned. He must have reasons for spending tax dollars on
an investigation. As does the state and the PSC.
You insinuated these agencies are not being fair to this administration
by investigating alleged wrongdoing. Yet, these agencies exist
to enforce law. If laws have been violated we must not turn
a blind eye. The accused will receive a fair hearing and if
found guilty, should be dealt with accordingly.
I don't believe assuring the safety of children is tearing
down a school system. Without factual information parents cannot
make informed decisions regarding safety. Shall we continue
to entrust our most precious commodity, our children, to those
that would avoid the truth and the law?
If public trust has been violated, through lies and deceit,
in the school systems ability to keep our children safe, the
current administration must step down in order that GCPS's may
continue to be a leader in education.
-- Jim Dumond, Buford
UPCOMING
EVENT
Ten reasons to
attend May 10 Suwanee Music Main Street
From: www.suwanee.com:
10. Concert sponsors have been known to give away some really
cool stuff.
9. Where else can you experience the ambiance of being in a portable
restroom as a train rumbles by?
8. A soiree in Suwanee is better than making the long trip to
Hotlanta.
7. It's a great opportunity to mingle with your neighbors without
having to do yard work (or have them to your house).
6. It's an election year and the candidates need babies to kiss.
5. There's no one bombarding you with overpriced concert souvenirs.
4. It's the most fun you can have on a Saturday night without
drinking alcohol.
3. No need to dial 1-866-IDOLS-SS to help select the Suwanee
SuperStar.
2. It's a great (not to mention cheap) way to bond with mom in
celebration of Mother's Day.
And the number one reason you really ought to come to the Burnette-Rogers
Pavilion in Old Town for the first Music Main Street 2003 concert
on May 10 is....
There's not much that is as delightful as sitting outdoors on
a spring evening with friends and family while listening to some
great music.
THOUGHT OF THE DAY
On whether a glass
is half empty or half full
"My grandmother said it depends on whether you're pouring
or drinking."
-- Comedian Bill Cosby, at Paine College commencement address
last week.
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Send your thoughts, 55-word short stories, pet peeves
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Forum for future publication.
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is an online community commentary for exploring pragmatic and sensible
social, political and economic approaches to improve life in Gwinnett
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