Yes, I know, John...about that flu pandemic that is, and the different strains, etc..but I really feel that there's one helluva lot of worry being put on people's shoulders about this.

There was hysteria here about Swine Flu, total hysteria...and what happened? Nothing. A few highly unfortunate people died, but there are some who have always died from flu, throughout the centuries, usually in fairly small amounts..I'm not talking about the pandemic here...

Every chemist you went into, there were the 'anti flu medications, wipes etc' all at the front of the shop, main viewing place, maximum profit....And most of it all got sold off half price or less...

I just worry that folks are pumping themselves full of goodness knows what...It was even on BBC Radio Devon today, on and on they went about it...telling folks to get their jabs..and if people said they were worried about the jabs they were told how safe they were etc...

I don't know..maybe I have a somewhat cynical nature...

Over here in Torquay, it seems that if you're diagnosed with diabetes, and I know two people who've had that happen very recently, they want to put you on tablets *immediately*. ?????   Now, I was just put on diet alone, and it's worked, for years, so far...I KNOW that to get my blood sugar right down I need to exercise, take a brisk walk, cycle, whatever..eat pretty well and take care of myself..and my sugar and cholesterol levels have been fine.

My colleagues had the fear of God put into them..and were put on tablets straight away, being told that it helped the 'long term effects' far more.

Diabetes is now a huge problem for some, and a huge profit for others...

I have never felt such pressure to be 'medicated' as I have since moving to Torbay, and every time I say "Thanks, but no thanks" the nurse looks at me as if I'm insane. In Sidmouth I was told that my positive outlook about diabetes was a breath of fresh air, and 'half the battle'...and how they wished other patients would take such a relaxed approach to it..

It was only the other day that one of the diabetic tablets was withdrawn for causing all sorts of side-effects...

Too cynical about too many things these days, John... :0)