By Staff
The Generator
Henry Ford II HS
1st Place Division 1, News Writing
Editorial
JUDGING CRITERIA
- Topic relevant to interests and/or welfare of school or students
- Wins reader interest with impelling lead
- Presents evidence/interpretation in logical sequence
- States issue; uses effective examples, facts, and comparisons to clarify
- Deals with specific issue: avoids preaching, rhetoric, and cliches
- Shows sufficient thought and research
- Sentences, paragraphs of varied length; written clearly, concisely and vividly
- Proper diction/grammar
When one pictures the flu, it’s usually gruesome images of snot and toilet hugging. In reality, the spread is much more subtle. The average sneeze and cough can spread around 100,000 contagious germs into the air, we breathe, at a speed of 100 miles per hour, according to The Health News. The flu, otherwise known as Influenza, is a widely known viral infection that attacks the lungs, nose and throat. Getting the flu vaccine is necessary because germs are spread vastly by coughing and sneezing. Flu vaccines are highly recommended by many health facilities because the virus spreads like wildfire. “I approve the flu shot because it helps the body attack the virus,” sophomore Maggie Gundy said. With around 1,900 students and teachers in the building, we are around a lot of people each day, with germs spreading everywhere we sit and touch. Studies from Disease Burden of Influenza CDC have shown that the flu virus has impacted a lot of people’s lives and it has been estimated that it has caused about 9.3 million-49 million illnesses and 140,000-960,000 hospitalizations and 12,000-79,000 deaths. Another reason to support getting the flu vaccination is because there are so many deaths per year. According to CDC News Station, about 10,300 adult deaths and 183 child deaths. Parents usually end up getting sick after their children are exposed to many germs and many other little children at daycare or even school, knowing that children usually do not cover up their mouth or nose when coughing or/and sneezing. “The 2017-2018 flu shot offered just 25% effectiveness against the predominant strain of flu that season, H3N2 according to WebMD news. Even though studies say that it only had 25% effectiveness, it’s still a preventive vaccine. We still don’t know the effectiveness rating for this year because flu season isn’t in full swing. “The flu shot is necessary if you don’t want to get sick. It’s a better option than just letting it pass,” freshman Elizabeth Richard said. But this year’s shot offers 47% protection against all circulating strains, according to researchers at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,” according to CDC News. Even though the percentage is low it can still impact a lot of people’s lives. Chances that the flu shot is dangerous and/or toxic for the human body are extremely tiny, by taking the flu shot and/or nasal spray can lower the chance of getting the flu by 60% according to WebMD. Even though the flu shot lowers the risk of getting sick by 60% it is still more effective than not getting the vaccination. “I believe we should get flu shots because there will be herd immunity. My brother has Down Syndrome and that makes his immune system weaker, so every year I have to get a flu shot. Since I get vaccinated, he is not affected by the flu like he would be if I didn’t get one,” senior Brooke Nagy said. Students shouldn’t just be worried about the person next to them: they should worry about the things they touch and the people they will affect. Getting the flu shot will ensure individual safety and the health of others.