Flu Phone call today!

2013Parent

2013Parent

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Commandant Fell has communicated to parent associations that the quarantined company members will be allowed to call home today and report status to parents.......
 
flu outbreak

2013Parent said:
Commandant Fell has communicated to parent associations that the quarantined company members will be allowed to call home today and report status to parents.......
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Which parent associations? There is nothing on our page. And do you what companies 1 and 3? Will all plebes in those companies get a call or just the confirmed flu plebes?
 
Ok everyone, here is our update. Please know it is from our 17 year old that self admittedly was feeling pretty good because they had just given him "medicine"........but, it sure seems like more than a small issue for a few of these candidates.

We just got a call from our son. He was diagnosed with the flu and has been quarantined for 7 days per CDC guidelines. He happens to be in Third Co., but is in quarantine with 25 other PC's from various companies. The are in good spirits, he said they have dubbed themselves "Sick Co." and have even made a flag and a makeshift guidon. He was put in quarantine yesterday. They are being housed above the clinic. (the word from Sunday's call should have been "isolation"....Third Co. was in isolation lockdown....not quarantine.) He said they were told they were not going to have to repeat INDOC, but they have ask a lot of questions that have not been answered yet. He said they really felt bad because, it appeared they had weathered the worst of INDOC and now some "fun" things were looming and they were missing out. Oh well. No whites issued or measured for yet. No khaki pants just shirts. No real waterfront time and no hands on offshore, like some others have experienced. Call was over 10 minutes. They are not permitted to participate in any physical training, so he is getting caught up on his bearing book knowledge along with senior class roster exercise. He is quite concerned about getting weak by being in the bed for a week, then having to take the 5K run with the Alumni on Aug 1 and PFA/BCA on Aug 3.

Lots of questions for you all out there. Computers on Monday. He won't be out of quarantine. Registration day is Monday. He won't be out of quarantine. I have more questions than need to be asked here.....please all you graduates, experts, flight surgeons etc. etc. out there, tell us, from your experienced perspective, whatever comes to mind. THANKS!
 
I have a great deal of confidence that the powers that be at KP will get this all figured out. You may not get answers to your questions until long after the fact, but give them the opportunity to sort it all out and I am sure it will come out fine.
 
kp2001 said:
Let's just say this isn't the first time the school has been at this "dance."

The people who are isolated will have a bit of an "altered" indoc; however, no need to worry about other things at this point. If they were in decent shape coming in they will still be able to meet the minimums for the physical fitness test. If they don't I'm sure accomodations will be made for those who may have been sick....if not it simply means they'll have to repeat the test after a little "remediation." No biggie.

As to the "registration" well that's a joke at KP, unlike other schools where you actually have to sign up for classes the classes at KP are instead assigned to you. As a plebe you pretty much have zero choice. Later years will get you an elective here or there, but for the most part your schedule appears in your mailbox and that's what it is. There are of course other things to do like get your ID and a few other logistical issues that will be worked out.

As for the computers...well those are almost treated like a privilige so it may be they simply hold their computers until out of isolation. It's unfortunate this happened and they will have a little "altered" view of Indoc, but tis a minor bump in a very, very long road.

As to the worries about them not knowing when to seek medical....they will be ordered to go to medical if it looks like they need it. There are many, many EMT's around campus and the candidates are checked on nightly and throughout every day even when there isn't an illness running around. They are in good hands. Just wait until they are on a ship in the middle of the ocean and the most trained medical person is themselves because they took a ship's medicine class at Kings Point.

I can't wait to see what happens when all the "real" colleges start bringing in their freshman. So far flu in at least 3 of the service academies, my bet is that we see all sorts of sensationalized reporting when the other colleges start up.



Usually North Shore Long Island Jewish Hospital
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Son just called and is under quarantine as well :frown: He is really bummed about missing out on all the fun activities this weekend and a few days of class as well. Does anyone know if their classes start Monday or Wednesday?

By the way he is in Band company so don't think there is a company that hasn't been affected at this point. The most recent photo's I saw were at the indoor swim meet and they all were in close proximity to each other, wet from swimming and then walking around that way. Looked like fun but a sure way to spread germs. Son was in that race before becoming ill. I will be surprised if they all don't get this bug. :eek:
 
Oh boy, I hope the PC's keep a good sense of humor about this flu. I know it is hard for those sick right now and will be difficult for those who are sick just when school starts. Oh well, that is just PART of life. They'll have to be mentally prepared and not let it drag them down.
 
Another call last night ....fever around 104 ..... He sounds really sick....basically taking tylenol and cough drops and being monitored regularly. Seven (7) more candidates were brought in yesterday. Confirmed as Swine, type A. Word is that they are being allowed to call at will, per Captain Fell, so parents will be informed and not flooding the academy with calls and inquiries.

Some, on here, have said, I might be ahead of the curve in understanding and taking this KP thing as it comes..... trust me....this has thrown me quite a bit behind the curve........seeing all the really important activities being missed by these PC's and my son being one of them (getting uniforms and learning about them with his company, swimming competition, parade, ceremony at the monument.....etc. etc.) is more difficult than him being tested, challenged, IT'ed, and not calling. No way to build that comradaire without being part of it........

The "no news" folks out there are really blessed.
 
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BTW, at least for our guy, No anitbiotics (which usually is not given for a virus anyway) and no Tamaflu ......many have asked about that, so just wanted to let you know.
 
This is one week out of plebe year. There will be plenty of time for all of those other things later. True, he will have missed a couple of bonding experiences but, there are plenty more to come and hundreds of push ups that have not been done yet. Plebe year is a marathon and the starter's gun has only just been fired.
 
flu

Hang in there 2013 Parent. I know you are concerned. Our Plebes are being watched closely and are given what they need, you can count on it. I'll keep you in my prayers.


2013Parent said:
Another call last night ....fever around 104 ..... He sounds really sick....basically taking tylenol and cough drops and being monitored regularly. Seven (7) more candidates were brought in yesterday. Confirmed as Swine, type A. Word is that they are being allowed to call at will, per Captain Fell, so parents will be informed and not flooding the academy with calls and inquiries.

Some, on here, have said, I might be ahead of the curve in understanding and taking this KP thing as it comes..... trust me....this has thrown me quite a bit behind the curve........seeing all the really important activities being missed by these PC's and my son being one of them (getting uniforms and learning about them with his company, swimming competition, parade, ceremony at the monument.....etc. etc.) is more difficult than him being tested, challenged, IT'ed, and not calling. No way to build that comradaire without being part of it........

The "no news" folks out there are really blessed.
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I've been assured by Capt. Fell that everything is being taken care of that needs to be. Here is the latest release dated yesterday.

OFFICIAL STATEMENT
U.S. MERCHANT MARINE ACADEMY FLU STATUS UPDATE #3
July 23, 2009 (Kings Point, Long Island, New York). Officials at the United
States Merchant Marine Academy, located at Kings Point, Long Island, New
York, continue to monitor a cluster of influenza cases.
As of today, there are 7 confirmed cases of Type A influenza, while another
21 midshipmen have presented with influenza-like symptoms. While these
cases have not yet been identified by health officials as H1N1 type virus,
Academy and health officials are treating the cases as if they were novel
influenza A (H1N1 or swine flu).
During “sick call” on Thursday, July 23, five additional midshipmen
presented with flu-type symptoms.
Those midshipmen who are infected remain isolated from the rest of the
student population to prevent transmission of the virus, and one
midshipman has been released. Treatment continues to be coordinated with
doctors from the North Shore-LIJ Health System, the Academy’s health
service provider, and midshipmen continue to respond well to treatment.
The United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York, is
located fifteen miles from New York City. It is one of the nation's five
service academies, and is operated by the Maritime Administration of the
U.S. Department of Transportation. Graduates receive a United States Coast
Guard Merchant Marine license, a Bachelor of Science Degree, and are
commissioned Ensigns in the U. S. Navy Reserve.
For more information, contact: CAPT Robert Larsen
Director of Public Affairs
516-773-5664
Mr. Martin Skrocki
Public Information Officer
516-773-5374
 
Good that one PC has been released. Adding it all up...so far it looks like 33 candidates have been quarantined. Tough week. But, like everyone has said, this is not the first, or most major, event the academy has had to deal with. Everyone is paying attention and a great deal of care is being taken to handle the situation.

Have a great weekend everyone...........enjoy the calls on Sunday!
 
Son felt worse this morning. :frown: They are giving him tamiflu and that helped yesterday. Not sure why he's worse today, it probably just has to run it's course.
 
Our son just called. Two were released yesterday and three new got admitted. He insists he never felt bad or sick...good thing... and will be released tomorrow morning.
Earlier this week, he suffered a minor injury on a hand and when he went to Patten Hall they detected a slight temperature increase (100). He was placed in quarantine and received medication but never felt bad ....go figure. Others are staying longer.
 
Son called today......saw Dr.....he now has a sinus infection and they have started antibiotics............oh my.........just gets better........illness is part of life, but you sure could do without it during your first month at KP! :eek:
 
I am sure he will start to feel better as soon as the antibiotics kick in. Maybe it wasn't the flu at all.
 
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