Influenza AH1N1

1. What is an epidemic?
It occurs when new cases of a certain disease spread throughout a determined human population.
2. What is a pandemic?
Epidemic over a wide geographic area and affecting a large proportion of the population
3. What is an infectious disease?
such a disease communicated by germs carried in the air or water, and thus spread without contact with the patient, as measles.
4. What is a virus?
an ultramicroscopic, metabolically inert, infectious agent that replicates only within the cells of living hosts, mainly bacteria, plants, and animals: composed of an RNA or DNA core, a protein coat, and, in more complex types, a surrounding envelope.
5. What makes the H1N1 virus a "novel" or "new" virus?
It is a mutation of another virus, but this one is different and immune to the medicines that were used in that virus.
6. How do viruses mutate?
Viruses mutate by taking control of the host cell and creating many of them by replicating their RNA that's why this viruses are called ribovirus.
7. What does it mean that this virus has "parts" from other known swine flus, human flus and American bird flus?
It means that there aren't any new elements in this virus, it is juast a combination of other viruses that cause in the human population a completely new reaction never controlled before.
8. How does that process happen?
If an organism has many influenza viruses at the same time, in the replication process these could create a new kind that has parts from one virus and parts from the other.
9. How is the flu vaccine created?
Even though there isn´t a vaccine ready for swine flu, vaccines are created by injecting the virus to an organism in a small quantity, and let the body have this kind of antibodies for when the real virus comes.
10. Why are some viruses transmittable from human to human while others are not (avian flu)?
Because some organisms, when they get infected the first time they become imune to the virus so they eliminate it, in this case humans; and birds do not become imune so they can still transmit it.
11. How does Tamiflu work?
Tamiflu is antiviral that has shown some response to the swine flu virus. It blocks sialic acid found on the surface of cells, so it blocks the spread of the virus.
12. Scientists worry that H1N1 might become resistant to Tamiflu. How might that happen?
A mutation of the virus can occur by being imune to oseltamivir.


READING COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS
1. What is the most predictable thing about influenza?
The nature of virus that created it.
2. How many people have died in Mexico? (based on the article as well as on latest news)
66
3. Name 3 countries where swine flu has been confirmed in the last three days.
Turkey, Malaysia and India.
4. What are the symptoms of the swine flu?
Nausea, headaches, sore throat, fever, cough.
5. When was the outbreak of the Spanish flu?
In 1918
6. What percentage of the world population died of influenza then?
1% of the world population.
7. Why was there an emergency vaccination program in 1976?
Because of the flu outbreak in that year.
8. Name a few actions the Mexican government has done to curb the spread of swine flu.
Schools were closed, cultural activities like concerts, games, and shows were cancelled. Restaurants were closed for some days and reopened with some conditions.
9. What were the consequences for Mexico and Mexicans due to the actions taken by the government?
The economy has received a great impact because of these actions.
10. What industries were particularly hard hit?
Industries that focus on the population like movie theatres, restaurants and places where many people go.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Mexico has shut down schools and other public spaces; do you think that was the correct thing to do? Why or why not?
Yest, it was the correct thing to do because even if the disease is just starting to spread, many students were infected and these could infect others exponentially.
2. More people die from the regular flu then from swine flu, why do you think this became a big news story?
Because no one ever worries about regular flu, and just because it was a new disease everyone freaked out.
3. Why did people stop visiting Mexico? Why have Mexicans been discriminated? Do you think the fear of the disease is justified?
People stopped visitting Mexico because they were afraid of getting the disease. Mexicans have been discrimminated because of the same reason, and I think the fear of the disease is justified even Mexicans are afraid. What is not justified is the discrimmination to Mexican people.
4. What questions about individual and human rights does preventing the spread of flu raise?
That human rights are being violated because of the nationality of the peopleeven if thare aren't any proof of their infection.

Bag of Tricks

I. Why are plastic bags so common?
Because they are cheap to produce, easy to carry and store.

II. In what other ways is plastic used?
Candy wrappers, chewing gum, cigarette butts, and a thousand other pieces of junk.

III. What are the benefits of plastic bags?
Plastic grocery bags consume 40 percent less energy, generate 80 percent less solid waste, produce 70 percent fewer atmospheric emissions, and release up to 94 percent fewer waterborne wastes

IV. What are the dangers of plastic bags?
First, they get to the ocean and many animals confuse them with food having strong effects in their body. They also contain a toxin called lead which is very dangerous. Lastly, plastic bags are not biodegradable, so they stay in the planet and pollute it.

V. What has been done so far?
In some places plastic bags have been banned, encouraging the use of paper bags wich are biodegradable. Also in other places a tax has been created over plastic bags.

VI. Has it been successful?
It has been succesful, the only problem is that these laws are only running in some places and they should be in the whole world, before it is too late.

VII. Why or why not?

It has been succesful because the plastic bag use in those places has reduced 80% or more, which I think is a succesful number.

a. What are some of the potential benefits of charging fees for and/or banning plastic bags?

Other materials which are friendly to the environment would be used, pollution would be reduced because of the chemicals that plastic bags had, also people would change their way of thinking about the planet and pollution.

b. What are some of the potential drawbacks of such programs?

Plastic bag producers would be bankrupt, if a fee is established some people would still keep using plastic bags and that will continue affecting the environment.

c. Which benefits and drawbacks seem the most compelling? Why?

The most compelling bennefit is to stop the pollution of the Earth caused by plastic bags because every minute our planet is getting more contaminated, and if we stop the pollution that will be sloer and give a chance to live to many animals that are being killed by plastic bags. And the drawback is the loss of job of thousands of workers around the world because many people would stop getting money and affecting more the world crisis which we are going through right now.

d. Would you support a local law charging fees for (or banning) plastic bags? Why or why not?
I would rather support banning plastic bags than charging fees because if you charge fees you are just making up an uneffective solution just to not affect the economy as much, but in longer terms it will have bigger repercutions amongst the planet.

1. Do you agree with this new law? Why or why not?
Of course, because it reduces the pollution in the world.

2. What has been done so far?
Non-degradable bags have been banned in Mexico City, and all the stores have to replace these with ones that are friendly to the environment.

3. What needs to be done to enforce such a law?
The stores should help the government in taking care of the country. Also, consumers could ask for less bags used and things like that.

4. What campaigns would you suggest?
A campaign in which all the plastic that people find should be put in a special container so they can be recycled.

News 4

Teenage Gunman Kills 15 at School in Germany
Who?
A teenage gunman whose name is Tim Kretschmer.
Where?
Winnenden, Germany near Stuttgart.
When?
March 11th 2009.
What?
Tim Kretschmer killed fifteen people at his former high school in Winnenden. He killed 9 students, eight of them girls, three female teachers and three bystanders.
Why?
Tim was a woman hater, he showed warning signs of being emotionally disturbed. He always played shooting video games and he was good. He was obsessed with heavy metal music and guns. When he graduated from school with mediocre grades his father took him to a mental institution in which he was treated for several times. His dis not like women because he said that they were always unfair. These problems in Tim´s mind were really heavy so he decided to attack the school.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/12/world/europe/12germany.html?_r=1

Gunshots Hit 5 Young Men at Chicago School
Who?
Gunmen inside a silver truck
Where?
In South Chicago, IL
When?
Friday, January 9th 2009
What?
5 students were shot while gunmen fired at a crowd walking out of the basketball gymnasium.
Why?
Nobody knows why, but they created a lot of panic.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/10/us/10chicago.html?_r=1

Teenager Is Shot to Death at Fort Lauderdale School
Who?
A friend of Amanda Collete, a student.
Where?
In Fort Lauderdale, FL
When?
November 12th 2008
What?
Amanda Collete was shot to death, by a friend when she was walking by the computer laboratory.
Why?
Some say a reason for the killing could have been a crush between these two.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/13/us/13school.html

2 Are Killed in Shooting on a Campus in Arkansas
Who?
A group of men that drove into a University campus.
Where?
In Conway, Arkansas, near Little Rock
When?
October 27th 2008
What?
2 students were killed
Why?
Police does not know, but thinks it was an isolated ocurrence that was not random.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/28/us/28arkansas.html?adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1237302031-CTbftgnncBG/uhcwXbjRIQ

Gunman Slays 6 at N. Illinois University
Who?
A tall skinny guy dressed all in black
When?
February 15th 2008
Where?
DeKalb, Illinois
What?
5 people were killed when this guy stepped out of a curtain in the lecture room and fired with a shotgun.
Why?
He was a graduate from the school probably had problems with someone.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/15/us/15shoot.html

Virginia Tech Shooting Leaves 33 Dead
Who?
An Asian guy
Where?
Virginia
When?
April 16th,2007
What?
An asian boy killed 33 people at Viginia Tech.
Why?
He was diagnosed of an anxiety disorder known as selective mutism, as well as depression.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/16/us/16cnd-shooting.html?pagewanted=2&sq=virginia%20tech&st=cse&scp=6

News 3

8 Die as Gunmen in Pakistan Attack Cricket Team
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/04/world/asia/04pstan.html?hp

Who?
A dozen gunmen.
Where?
Lahore, Pakistan.
When?
Tuesday, March 3th, 2009.
What?
A dozen gunmen attacke the Sri Lankan cricket national team, killing six police officers along with two bystanders, and wounding six Sri Lankan cricketers. All this happened in a buas ambush.
Why?
They do not know the exact causes of the attack, but there are clues that say the attack was planned by the same terrorist group thet hit Mumbai last week.

News Analysis

1. Who is Robert Mugabe? How long has he been in power? How popular is he?
Robert Mugabe is the president of Zimbabwe. When he started being president, 28 years ago, he was very popular, but now people don´t like him very much because of the things he has done.
2. Who is Morgan Tsvangirai? Which is/ has been his political role?
Morgan Tsvangirai is the actual Prime Minister of Zimbabwe. He is also the leadero of the Movement for Democratic Change- Tsvangirai. He has been prime minister since February 11th, 2009.
3. What happened during last year's elections? Which was the outcome?
During last year's elections, Morgan Tsvangira won the elections with 47% of the votes, but in the end he dropped because it was too violent.
4. Whis is the economic situation in Zimbabwe? How do the people feel about this?
Zimbabwe's economy is now one of the worst in the world. President Mugabe did a lot of things that damaged it and with the invasion of cholera it got worse. There is an unemployment of 80% and it eould take $5 billion dollars to stabilize it.
5. What do you think about the celebrations and the lavish party?
It is the most stupid thing that he could have done. Instead of using the money in parties he should be trying to get a not too bad economy. That party is giving him the worst image against the population that he could have gotten.

a) Give the conflict a name and explain why you think it is a conflict.
Transforming opportunities in fun. This is a conflict because the president of Zimbabwe is wasting money in stupid things, while most of the population is suffering economy problems.
b) Who is involved and why?
Robert Mugabe, Morgan Tsvangirai, and the population of Zimbabwe. They are involved because Mugabe is waisting money, Tsvangirai is against it, and the population suffers the consequences.
c) Explain in detail why the conflict has happened.
The conflict has happened because, Mugabe, the president of Zimbabwe has being in power for a lot of time and he has done very good things. Now he is bringing the economy down so it is causing a great reaction of the people and the oposition.
d) Give a timeline of events (at least 5) related to the conflict.
March 2008- Elections for presidency were held.
August 2008- Cholera infected Zimbabwe.
February 21st, 2009- it is President Mugabe's 85th birthday.
February 27th, 2009- Tsvangirai visited a hospital
February 28th, 2009- Mungabe's celebration, with an expense of $250 000.
e) How do you think this conflict can be solved and why?
The conflict can be solved by Mungabe refering to the people and convincing them to work together for the country's economy. This can be good because he could regain the people's confidence.

Conflict

Country Name:
Thailand

Conflict:
Prime Minister is forced to put off his speech due to anti-government protests.

Thai PM speech off amid protests
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7802554.stm

Summary:
Hundreds of protesters loyal to Thaksin Shinawatra surrounded the parliament on Monday. They say Mr. Abhisit has no right to lead and should resign because he is the third prime minister in four months. He was elected in a vote by the parliament, two weeks before. Some reports suggested that if the protests continued, the speech could even be put off until 2009. The protests, led by Thaksin loyalists, are called the Democratic Alliance against Dictatorship.

Conflict:
Power was taken away from Thaksin in 2006. Many governments of his loyalists after that, collapsed. The protests are because Mr. Abhisit, the new prime minister, was elected by the parliament which is a law of the New Constitution created in 2007, and the Democratic Alliance against Dictatorship.

Roots of the Conflict:
Thailand is a countryfull of a great cultural and social variety. Some of Thailand's different groups are obviously going to be supporting the new prime minister, while others will be against his government. As in every country with a variety of ethnicities, each will have its own ideals and will support its own cause, and obviously there will be differences.

Questions:
a) Who is involved in the conflict?
Abhisit Vejjajiva, Thaksin, Democratic Alliance against Dictatorship.
b) Where is it happening?
In the parliament, in Bangkok.
c) When did it happen and how long has it been going on?
It happened on December 28th, 2008; and lasted until Decmber 29th, 2008.

Pakistan: A Nation Divided

Which is its location? What countries does it border with?
Pakistan is located in Eastern Asia. It borders India, China, Afghanistan, and Iran.
What does the geography say about the country?
To the North there are the Himalayas and to the south there is a dessert. The climate varies from cold winters and hot summers to the North, and mild climate to the South.
What is the dominant religion? Which other exist?
The major religion is Islamism while there is also Hinduism, Christianity, Parsi, Buddhist, and others.
What are the different ethnic groups?
Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashtun, Baloch, Muhajir
Which ones are the main customs and traditions?
Pakistan has a rich cultural and ethnic background going back to the Indus Valley Civilization. There are differences in culture among the different ethnic groups in matters such as dress, food, and religion, especially where Pre Islamic customs differ from Islamic practices. However, over 60 years of integration, a distinctive "Pakistani" culture has sprung up especially in the urban areas. Education is highly regarded by members of every socio-economic stratum. The traditional family values are highly respected and considered sacred.



















How is this his life different from yours?
The greatest difference is the religion. The problem comes when he is living in a society in which he is the only one, while in my society everyone is like me or almost like me.He has rules to follow as well as I do, He goes to school as well as I do, etc.


Which custom caught your attention?


He can´t eat Starbursts.


How does his religion affect his way of acting?


He has to stop doing many things to follow the rules stated by the Koran, which is the book of the Islamic religion. He cannot eat pork nor things that contain enzymes that come from pork, he cannot drink alcohol, he cannot do a lot of stuff involving girls; so he acts according to it.

Name: Borat

Age: 15

Religion: Sunni Muslim

Ethnic Group: Pashtun

How often do you go to a religuous service? Where? Waht happens there?

I go to a religious service every Friday which is the sacred day and we call it Jumu'ah. We go to the mosque just after noon and it begins with the call to prayer the muezin makes; then the adhan, which marks the beginning of jumu'ah. Once the khaṭīb has given his speech, he concludes with a du'a, which then leads the muadhin to make the iqama which is followed by the two rak'at prayer.

Do you know anyone of a different religion? How do you get along?

Yes I know some people from different religions. In the area where I live, most of the population is muslim but I rarely find a buddhist or a hindu sometimes. When I someone of another religion, I just keep doing what I am doing. It is like seeing any muslim pass by.

Do boys and girls hang out socially? Do you go to parties?

All our celebrations are in families. We go to weddings that can last over three days, but I don not go to parties with friens because my religion prohibbits that.

How many people live in your house? How do you interact?

5 people live in my house. my parents, my sister and my brother. We interact a lot, as in our religion and traditions family is basic for education.

Who goes to school in your family?

In my family my brother and I go to school. My sister doesn´t go, but many girls do.

How do you dress?

I dress with clothes that cover from my knee to my navel, if I don't it is against my religion.

Which ones are your daily chores?

My daily chores are to go to school, go to my home and be with my family, because of my ethnic group. I also have to say the daily prayers to Allah.

What does it mean to be belong to your ethnic group?

To be a Pashtun doesn't mean just to live in a place with people like us, besides following the rules of our religion we are also born with the Pashtunwali code in our education. It is a code of hospitality and freedom of our ethnic group, to be part of us you need to be like the code.

Where are your relatives from?

My relatives are from Pakistan and some from Afghanistan. We are all Pashtuns and we get to see each other once in a while.

Do you hang out with people of other ethnicities? How do you get along?

I don´t hang out with people of other ethnicities, as here in my village only Pashtun people live. I do not know a lot of people from other ethnicities, but we get along well if they treat us well and are our friends.

Do you have to marry someone of your same ethnicity?

I do not have to marry someone of my ethnicity, but I am almost sure that I will.

Describe a typical tradition.

The most important date for us the Pashtun people is the Ramadan, which is a Muslim festivity, and because the great majority of us are Muslim we celebrate that and is the most important date in which families get together.