Do I need a swine flu shot?

The swine flu has been terrorizing us all in the last few months; is a shot coming, when will it be coming and why should I even give my kid the shot to begin with? So many questions going around and being a college student I find myself wondering if I need to get myself a swine flu vaccine.

The CDC along with other public health authorities say that this new swine flue vaccine is safe and that everyone should get it especially if you are in one of the high risk groups. The government is now paying for anyone who wants the vaccine to get it but before this it was priority for pregnant woman, caregivers of young children (meaning 6 months and younger), people 6 months to 24 and then 25 to 64 year olds who have health issues.

The vaccine comes in 2 forms, a nasal spray and an actual injection. The problem comes in where most people are scared to get the vaccine because they don’t want to get the swine flu. Most people who get the normal flue vaccine do get a mild form of the flu and people are scared this will happen with this vaccine as well.

Honestly I am a little torn on this issue. I think it is beginning to get a little out of control and now with President Obama making the government pay for the vaccines people are freaking out prematurely. Also there was an article out last week about a girl who got the vaccine and is now paralyzed. To get the shot or not??

20 Dead Dogs in Long Island Backyard

My heart and every animal lover’s heart sank when the evening news last night flashed a picture across the screen of SPCA carrying 20 dead dogs in garbage bags. A Long Island woman is pleading not guilty to animal cruelty allegations even though officials found the bodies of 20 dead dogs.

Interviews with her son have come up saying that his mother will go out and buy dogs bring them home and after loving them for a few days would leave them in cages without food and water until she decided to kill them.

She is due in court on Tuesday and faces a year in prison for each animal, totaling 20 years behind bars if found guilty. The only good news coming out of the case so far is that 5 dogs and a cat were rescued from the house, one of which already has been adopted.

My heart breaks reading stories like this. I love all animals no matter what shape, size or color and I think people who hurt innocent animals are just as bad as murderers and rapists. They use force and strength to over power an innocent creature that cannot fend for itself. I really hope the state of New York throws her in jail for 20 years and keeps her there.