Girl With a Purpose (GWAP)

Pigs Relieved, as WHO Renames 'Swine Flu Virus'

Millions of pigs across the world, breathed a collective sigh of relief, today, when the World Health Organization (WHO) renamed the Swine Flu Virus, "H1N1" (it's clinical name).

After seeing thousands of their brothers and sisters slaughtered in Korea and Egypt yesterday, for fear that these pigs were carriers of the virus...the pigs staged a protest to the WHO, to demand that the Swine Flu Virus be re-branded (renamed), as it was doubtful that the new strain of human influenza (flu), was spread from pigs to humans.

Apparently the WHO agreed with the pigs advocacy group, PAFWCSF (Pigs Against Flus Wrongly Called Swine Flu), for they decided to give the virus it's clinical name, H1N1.

Peter the Pig, Head of PAFWCSF (pronounced, "PackWackSuff"), in an interview with "Reuters Crazy News",  said that with the renaming, pigs worldwide were now relieved and quite happy that less of them would be slaughtered for the right reasons - to provide high-quality pork to pork-lovers worldwide.

He pleaded with world leaders to continue to encourage the consumption of pork, "as when cooked above 170 degrees Celsius, pork is quite safe to be eaten".

Peter wished humans, "all the best", as we work at finding a cure for the H1N1 virus and said that quite a few pigs would willingly volunteer to be testers for any new, would-be cures for H1N1.

(He proudly reminded "Reuters Crazy News" that for the past 100 years, pigs have been instrumental in medical research, as many pigs have been used as testers for new medicines, prior to them being tested on humans.)

He then returned to the other members of PAFWCSF, who greeted him with cheers of "Hip-Hip-Hurray!"

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Disclaimer: The above post was for entertainment purposes only...all persons and organizations mentioned, except for the World Health Organization, are fictional!

An aside:

(On Wednesday, April 29, 2009, the WHO upgraded the H1NI virus to category 5...one (1) category short of being in the danger zone of being called a pandemic.

This article from the Los Angeles Times, gives great tips on how to stay up-to-date re the H1N1 virus...

Please read it, friends :)).

(I would like to thank RaeA for the use of his flickr inset picture, of a pig, above).

Gillian

Sources Include

1) Nationwide Radio, April 29,2009

2) Article, "Swine Flu: Don't Blame the Pig", by Jeffrey Kluger, Time Health & Science, April 29,2009

Usain Bolt Will Miss Jamaica International Invitational Meet

Usain Bolt
Originally uploaded by tomharpin

Please see the background to this post, here.

We promised to update you as to whether or not Usain Bolt will be running on Saturday, at the Jamaica International Invitational Meet.

No friends, unfortunately, he will not be running.

According to Television Jamaica News, Bolt underwent a minor operative procedure to remove the thorns from the sole of his feet, at the St. Josephs Hospital in Kingston, last night.

The procedure was also necessary to ensure that all pieces of the thorns were out and to properly clean his wounds.

He will be back in training in a week's time and his next meet will be his 150 metre race against top international sprinters, in Manchester, England, on May 17,2009.

(I would like to thank tomharpin  for the use of his Flickr inset picture of Usain Bolt, above).

Gillian

Sources Include

1) Television Jamaica News at 7:00 p.m., April 30,2009

2) Wikipedia Article, "Usain Bolt to run 150 metre race in Manchester",WikiNews.com, March 19,2009

Usain Bolt - World's Fastest Man, is ok

Usain Bolt - World's Fastest Man
Originally uploaded by Bonita Jamaica

Yes friends, as you may have heard, Usain Bolt (triple Olympic world-record holder and sprinter) was involved in  a car accident, today.

Well, word from his manager, Norman Peart, is that Usain Bolt is ok.

According to his manager, Bolt's BMW M3 overturned while he was swerving away from an oncoming vehicle on Highway 2000, near Spanish Town.

(Highway 2000 is a highway that connects Kingston to Ocho Rios and Montego Bay, and in so doing, also connects the parishes of St. Catherine, Manchester, St. Elizabeth and Westmoreland.

The BMW M3 was a gift to Bolt, from his sponsors, Puma).

Bolt was driving to Kingston.

However, according to the police at the scene, Bolt was said to be speeding on the slippery road, when his vehicle overturned in a ditch, just after 1:00 p.m. this afternoon.

(It had been raining heavily.)

Usain's injuries, so far, have been minor and he is also suffering from injury to his toe, caused by a thorn (macca) that was lodged on the underside of it, while he was trying to get out of the ditch.

Passersby carried him and the two ladies he was with, to the nearby Spanish Town Hospital.

Bolt is recuperating at home.

(One of the two ladies with him has minor head injuries while the other is said to have minor injuries. Both are still in hospital).

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Well, we thank God that Bolt and the two ladies, though shaken up, have only suffered minor injuries.

I think that the car, also protected them...when I saw it on TV, it was written off, smashed up beyond repair.

God and German engineering, have once again proven to be superior, where safety of passengers in an accident is concerned!

Girl With a Purpose (GWAP) Blog will let you know if Bolt will be able to run at this weekend's Jamaica International (an international track and field meet involving top Jamaican sprint stars and many invitee international track and field teams) on Saturday.

Bolt is to be examined by an orthopaedic surgeon tonight.

(I would like to thank Bonita Jamaica, for the use of her Flickr inset picture of Usain Bolt, above).

Gillian

Sources Include

Television Jamaica, News at 7:00 p.m. April 29,2009

Nationwide Radio, April 29,2009