The Observation Deck

Just starting the topic to tell all the concerned parents out there to relax. The staph infections are a old story...players had it before the season even started.. and they've even had a company clean the whole turf and locker rooms a week ago. There was a informational meeting last week about it for anyone that plays sports on the turf (soccer and football) and I even received a detailed letter today from the board of education.

I have class with two of the people that were hospitalized from the staph infection, and I even hugged one of the girls soccer players that had it, and i'm ok!

The school waited until all their information and sample cultures came back and they knew where it was located and how many cases there really were. And yesterday they broke out (no pun intended) with the story to the media because if they didn't have all their information straight there would be a huge media frenzy at LHS.

So for all the parents out there don't worry, this staph infection is very much under control and there have been no new cases for a good week and a half that I know of.

Just remember to wash your hands before supper.

Thanks for the update, Ivor!

I love the negative spin they are always able to generate.

Two papers, front page above the fold, about something that affects maybe 100 people, and is being addressed.

If Lakewood Kids are just getting it, and Berea Kids got it, were treated and back. Would that not indicate that MAYBE it came from Berea? Yet both the PD and SUN seem to reverse the time line for the sake of sensation.

Just a thought, maybe not.


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May I then suggest we take the word "crisis" off the title of this thread.

I thought the PD story went off in the wrong direction. Who cares who gave it to whom? Does Berea have more germs than Lakewood or vice versa? Ridiculous.

The Sun story, above the fold or not, seemed rather more rational, at least from a "what does it mean to you" perspective.

Watch out, but don't go nuts. From an LHS parent perspectie, that seemed about right to me.

As for it affecting "maybe about 100 people," I can tell you from first-hand experience that staph can be crazy, nasty stuff. What if 10 percent of those 100 got it into their bloodstream? 10 very sick or dead kids.

I think the schools did the right thing putting the word out. While some media went for the sensational (big surprise) at least the level of awareness got raised a notch.

Watch out, but don't go nuts

very well put.

some of the girls soccer parents are very upset about Beachwood cancelling its girls game against Lakewood tonight.

on the LHS campus, this is old news.

the big thing that all the media missed is that the training staff and health dept. and everyone involved has this bacteria under control. They couldn't find traces of it on the field or locker rooms, so they don't know where it came from.

Joan Roberts wrote:I think the schools did the right thing putting the word out. While some media went for the sensational (big surprise) at least the level of awareness got raised a notch.

Joan

Sure they did the right thing. And we all know I am a little touchy about Lakewood and the media.

I realize how serious staph is. I have lost three friends/relatives of close friends in the past two months from Staph infections. Two were through surgery(not Lakewood hospital) where in days of contracting it they were dead. Saturday I go to one of the funerals.

But how can you argue how serious it is and not care where it came from?

On a separate note I applaud both the Sun and the Plain Dealer for going heavier on Lakewood stories recently. While I do not expect the PD to be too heavy it would be nice if the LAKEWOOD Sun Post could give us more than three pages. Some day maybe they will learn we are not in competition.

Lisa Novotny - If you are reading this(and we know you are) how about moving to the city you cover? We need good people like you.


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Jim O'Bryan wrote:

Joan Roberts wrote:I think the schools did the right thing putting the word out. While some media went for the sensational (big surprise) at least the level of awareness got raised a notch.

But how can you argue how serious it is and not care where it came from?



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I think that's probably a followup story. The first priority IMO was to alert parents that the infection exists and to just not blow off the little cuts and scrapes that all kids, especially athletes, get Mission accomplished in that respect.

WhereI took issue with the PD was rather than a rational look into where it came from, it devolved into "Berea's germier than Lakewood" or vice versa.

The Sun story, although it was deep into the article, probably offered the best insight. The LH doctor said it started west, and it's slowly making its way here. Coulda come from anywhere. That's less of a concern than knowing it IS around these parts, and how I can cope.

Maybe on this one, I'M more focused on Lakewood than you are...

And I am sincerely sorry about your friends. Worst part about staph. Healthy people can go down in a hurry.