Uncategorized
Flu sweeps through Big Sky
Published
6 years agoon
Posted By
Outlaw PartnersBy Jessianne Wright EBS Contributor
BIG SKY – Cases of high fever, cough and sore throat have shown up at the Big Sky Medical Center in droves this flu season, and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this year’s flu season is the most widespread since officials began keeping track 13 years ago.
“It’s really the worst flu season I can remember since the swine flu eight years ago,” said Dr. Philip Hess, who has been a physician at BSMC since its inception in 2015. While not in effect in Big Sky, Bozeman Health has restricted visitors to Bozeman Health Deaconess Hospital in Bozeman due to the flu.
Influenza is a contagious respiratory disease that can cause mild to severe illness. It is caused by the influenza virus, which constantly evolves and leads to the emergence of new strains every year. Because of this mutation, Hess said, “It’s always hard to tell how hard flu season is going to be. Depending on the mutation, it can be more or less contagious, or more or less severe.
“It’s an interesting little crafty critter, that flu virus,” he added.
Specialists study the flu virus on a global scale and predict which strains will cause future illness. Based on this information, they can develop vaccines likely to develop antibodies for potentially problematic strains. Even if the vaccine does not fully prevent illness, it often shortens the duration of the sickness.
With Big Sky being a destination location, Hess said the community probably gets exposed to a variety of flu strains. “We’re probably getting more visitors from other parts of the country this year because of snow,” he said, however he wasn’t able to point to tourism as a reason for disease. “Some years [the virus] is more contagious so when it gets into a small community, it spreads.”
According to the CDC, this year the most predominant strain of influenza is H3N2, which is known to cause some of the worst outbreaks of illness.
While the majority of people sick with the flu are able to recover in less than two weeks, complications can develop that require hospitalization and could result in death.
Hess said a variety of individuals are susceptible to influenza, but those at risk of developing complications include children less than 2 years old, those over the age of 65, and individuals with heart or lung conditions or a compromised immune system.
“For most of the rest of us, flu is a sort of miserable thing … but it’s not scary,” he said. “Know that if you or your family members are high risk, hurry in to seek care.” There are some medications that may be prescribed to those most at risk of complication that must be taken early in the illness in order to be most effective, he added.
As reported by the Washington Post, in a briefing to reporters on Jan. 12, the director of CDC’s influenza division Daniel Jernigan said flu activity has probably peaked, however illness will continue into the near future. “Even if we have hit the top of the curve, it still means there’s lots more flu to go. If we look at similar seasons, there’s at least 11 to 13 more weeks of influenza to go.”
The Outlaw Partners is a creative marketing, media and events company based in Big Sky, Montana.
Upcoming Events
april, 2024
Event Type :
All
All
Arts
Education
Music
Other
Sports
Event Details
We all are familiar with using a limited palette, but do you use one? Do you know how to use a
more
Event Details
We all are familiar with using a limited palette, but do you use one? Do you know how to use a limited palette to create different color combinations? Are you tired of carrying around 15-20 different tubes when you paint plein air? Have you ever wanted to create a certain “mood” in a painting but failed? Do you create a lot of mud? Do you struggle to achieve color harmony? All these problems are addressed in John’s workbook in clear and concise language!
Based on the bestselling “Limited Palatte, Unlimited Color” workbook written by John Pototschnik, the workshop is run by Maggie Shane and Annie McCoy, accomplished landscape (acrylic) and plein air (oil) artists,exhibitors at the Big Sky Artists’ Studio & Gallery and members of the Big Sky Artists Collective.
Each student will receive a copy of “Limited Palette, Unlimited Color” to keep and take home to continue your limited palette journey. We will show you how to use the color wheel and mix your own clean mixtures to successfully create a mood for your paintings.
Each day, we will create a different limited palette color chart and paint a version of a simple landscape using John’s directives. You will then be able to go home and paint more schemes using the book for guidance.
Workshop is open to painters (oil or acrylic) of any level although students must have some basic knowledge of the medium he or she uses. Students will be provided the book ($92 value), color wheel, value scale and canvas papers to complete the daily exercises.
Sundays, April 14, 21 and 28, 2024
Noon until 6PM.
$170.
Time
14 (Sunday) 12:00 pm - 28 (Sunday) 6:00 pm
Event Details
Trivia from 7 to 9 p.m. at The Waypoint in Town Center. Participation is free, food and beverages available.
Event Details
Trivia from 7 to 9 p.m. at The Waypoint in Town Center. Participation is free, food and beverages available.
Time
(Wednesday) 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Location
The Waypoint
50 Ousel Falls Rd