January 25 it’s here

The flu season has arrived in earnest in the USA. Yes , Emma and I have a bug right now,that happens . The flu tends to have a big impact on the American and Californian system. People have been turning up to emergency departments in hospitals , overwhelming the system . Some hospitals have set up tents with beds in them to house the extra patients . It gets back to the fundamental luxuries that we take for granted in Australia. We just go to the doctor , no matter our economic circumstance and get treated . It’s just not easy to see a doctor over here . I still don’t get the whole picture on the medical system . It’s intimidating and not user friendly . Here lies the problem . You’re going to avoid seeing the doctor and are prepared to live with a minor complaint ( like I did with my ear infection) until it gets to the stage you need treatment now . If you havn’t got private insurance you’re not seeing a doctor soon.You’ve got to turn up to emergency . At the moment the system can’t cope . I will say that colds and flues seem to be treated more seriously . They rather you stay home than come in and spread it . I know we here the same thing in Australia but deep down you know you’re expected to soldier on , with the exception of school . Even then we sneak our kids in with some panadol hoping we don’t get called up by the school . As I cough away I shudder when I look at the many less fortunate on tv , waiting for their chance to be treated in emergency , for the flu.