The possible swine flu news was first reported by Pike County administrator Steve Marro at Wednesday's commission meeting.
Dr. Michael Duncan, superintendent of Pike County schools, arrived at the meeting later and angrily addressed county commissioners. Duncan, pictured at right addressing the commission, believes that Marro was out of line in releasing the information about a possible swine flu outbreak before schools officials had the chance to contact parents.
Superintendent Duncan addresses county commissioners over Swine Flu information
"Give us the opportunity to get that message out there so it can be factual and so the parents can be reassured," Duncan said.
"I'm asking for a little professional courtesy to give us time to do our job," Duncan said.
The superintendent said schools officials were already communicating factual information to parents and that they should have been allowed to do so before "mass hysteria" hit.
"It is completely inappropriate that this came out of this commission," Duncan said. "I want to relate my complete dismay that this occurred."
Gregory Green, director of pupil services, accompanied Duncan to the commission meeting.
Commissioner Parrish Swift said he disagreed with much of what Duncan said to the board. "We have every right and responsibility to relay any information that we deem necessary," Swift said.
"I'm asking for a little professional courtesy to give us time to do our job," Duncan said.
The superintendent said schools officials were already communicating factual information to parents and that they should have been allowed to do so before "mass hysteria" hit.
"It is completely inappropriate that this came out of this commission," Duncan said. "I want to relate my complete dismay that this occurred."
Gregory Green, director of pupil services, accompanied Duncan to the commission meeting.
Commissioner Parrish Swift said he disagreed with much of what Duncan said to the board. "We have every right and responsibility to relay any information that we deem necessary," Swift said.
Surely he(Marro) is a smart enough guy to realize that???????
cool slogan, don't cha think?
Marro and Parrish Swift...you just ain't right!
That letter you got is a typical govt. sidestep response, and it was thwarted by some folks telling it like it is. *gasp!
Welcome to Pike County Yancey Brothers, you have the key to the county.
Sick of the BOZO and his friend Marro.
If Mr. Duncan is bothered by the fact that this was discussed at the Commissioners meeting, he needs to realize we are a small county, not Atlanta. He should have informed people, as soon as he knew, that a child was being tested for the H1N1 flu strain, to at least be aware that the possibilities exist, so parents could be looking for symptoms in their children.
It is advised, by the CDC, to get your child a regular flu shot that is available now, and when the H1N1 flu shot is available, you should have your child inoculated TWO times. Vaccinating your children, and yourself, educating your children and yourself on proper hygiene, not sharing personal items, recognizing flu symptoms, and staying home when you are sick, is the best way to prevent yourself from spreading this flu.
The public should be aware that the Georgia school systems will not be closing their doors unless there are 10% of their children, at one school, sick with the H1N1 virus. You can "google" this information for the state of Georgia guidelines concerning the "swine flu" or "H1N1 flu".
Perhaps, the Commissioners felt they had a responsibility to keep the citizens in this county informed. Give them a break now and then! If you don't like the job they are doing, go to a meeting to voice your opinion, and don't forget to vote in the next election!!
That's why Duncan was upset. He was trying to inform the parents of approx. 2000 students. That takes time. Have any of you tried to infrom 2000 people at once about something? The BOC caused a public panic before the BOE could address the parents.
If the BOC knew of a flu case in the general public, it's not their place to tell the public. That responsibility belongs to the Health Department. Therefore, why would the BOC have the responsibilty to report a possible cause at their meeting? They had no proof and little information other than rumor and gossip. The BOC should have let the various county agencies do their jobs.
Of course the public needs to know what is going on, but the agencies were trying to do that. The BOC caused a panic that could have been prevented.
Duncan said 'Give us the opportunity to get that message out there so it can be factual and so the parents can be reassured,"
He had plenty of time to do this, right? Was the generic letter about the flu, with NO MENTION of swine flu and NO MENTION of any children in Pike co schools having this, his way of 'informing the public'???
my child is home sick today and going to the docs in the am. their friend is also home sick with the same thing but who know what it is...spiky fever, chills, body aches, headache...guess I'll know tomorrow when we go to the docs...
There are sick kids in school. There are always sick kids in school. It's a school. Your sick child unknowingly infected someone else.
The flu can be treated. Everyone take a deep breath.
Don Collins
Parrish Swift
In-plant Clayton FD Lt. Henderson
LuLu Willis
Pam