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Message from Cynthia Ponder, President of Chapter 8.

The Board is keeping a watchful eye on the Swine Flu, but currently we see no reason to change any Chapter 8 plans for the 2010 Rally. We have a wonderful rally planned for February 14-16, 2010 to Bahia de Kino on the western coast of mainland Mexico, west of Hermosillo and north of San Carlos and Guaymas on the Sea of Cortez.

September 26,2009 UPDATE on the pandemic:

SHORT UPDATE ON THE H1N1 VIRUS IN RELATIONSHIP TO OUR BAHIA DE KINO RALLY

I have waited until now to put out a new statement for your information about our research on this virus and its relationship to our Rally, to give us the benefit of information from experiences of this fall's outbreak.

It has been shown throughout Canada, the US and Mexico that the influenza is identified by testing have been 99% H1N1 and this has been consistent throughout the entire year of 2009. It is spreading widely this fall throughout these countries again; with the highest numbers in ages 4 to 24 years old.
The good news is that there has been little or no genetic change in this virus which means the influenza vaccine becoming available in the next 20 to 45 days should be very effective!
The US government will be providing this vaccine for free to all at many distributions points in every state. These will vary from state to state so check in your local area where this vaccine is available.
In both the US and Mexico persons age 65 years and older who do not have underlying conditions are at a lower risk of contracting this virus. We know the state of Sonora has only had 632 cases of H1N1 from the very beginning of this outbreak and that they have excellent medical treatment centers within 1 hr of our rally site. The US reports by region & the two closest in size to Sonora have had 1488, 1829 cases.

The key to increased risk for anyone is having an underlying condition or additional risk factor:
Pregnancy, diabetes, respiratory illnesses, heart conditions and conditions which reduce your normal immune response or those who care for infants or children regularly are statistically at higher risk.


For our rally, here are the plans and recommendations.

  • WE ARE GOING AND WILL HAVE A WONDERFUL TIME!

  • We will request that everyone have the H1N1 vaccination at least 1 month before we meet in Tucson on Feb. 14. This would include persons even if they were ill in the spring to ensure they are well protected as recommended by the CDC.

  • This will be a killed vaccine which can not cause the flu itself. The newest information is that 1 dose will be sufficient for people over the age of 10 from Dr. Thomas Frieden the director of the CDC.

  • Bring tissues and a plastic bag to put your used ones into if there are no trash receptacles close by to put them in.

  • Soap and water; as well as hand sanitizer will be important in keeping personal hygiene easily practiced. We will review the use of these as needed at the Pre-rally.


    • We do suggest if you have underlying health problems as described above of a serious nature you consult with your own physician for their recommendations for further precautions on your trip.
    If you are severely ill with flu symptoms stay home or please see your personal physician to make sure you are making an appropriate decision about travel to prevent harm to yourself or others.
    If you have further questions contact your doctor, the CDC website, or myself at pondermexico@gmail.com.
        Cynthia Ponder, President MC8