Reminds Public It's Not Too Late to Get a Flu Shot

CHICAGO - January 14, 2013. With Illinois and the nation facing a severe flu season and hospitals treating a surge of patients, Governor Pat Quinn and public health officials today urged the public to obtain a vaccination shot, the best protection against the seasonal flu.

"We are facing a very serious flu season both in Illinois and across the country," Governor Quinn said. "We want everyone to take precautions to protect themselves and their families, friends and co-workers. We know that more than 60 percent of the public fails to take the important step of getting a flu shot. If you have not had a flu shot this season, now's the time."

The Governor also reminded Illinois residents that hygiene is also essential to fighting the flu. By washing your hands frequently and covering up when you cough, you can help protect yourself and those around you. And, when you do catch the flu, stay home and let it run its course.

Illinois is one of 24 states that are now reporting higher than normal flu activity this season. The number of flu-related intensive care unit (ICU) hospitalizations so far this year is 368, with 27 flu-related ICU deaths.  The majority of hospitalizations and deaths are of people in their 50s and older. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) expects to see an increase in the number of hospitalizations and deaths as more health care providers report cases from previous weeks as well as current cases.

Public health officials note that the flu season imposes a financial cost each year across the nation. CDC projects the total economic burden of each flu season to be $87.1 billion - which includes direct medical costs of $10.4 billion and lost income due to illness or death estimated at $16.3 billion each year. While hospitalization costs are important contributors, lost productivity from missed work days and lost lives comprise the bulk of the economic burden of influenza.

"We are definitely experiencing a severe flu season," said IDPH Director Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck. "However, we have seen severe flu seasons before. IDPH and health care professionals around the state are doing everything in our power to raise awareness and reduce the number of people who become ill.

The strain of flu that is predominately circulating in Illinois and the country has historically been a more severe strain causing more hospitalizations and deaths.

Common symptoms of flu include sore throat, high fever, cough, body aches and fatigue. The IDPH recommends contacting a health professional before going to an emergency department if you are experiencing flu symptoms. The majority of people suffering from the flu simply need to stay home, rest, use over-the-counter remedies as needed and let the flu run its course. Several hospital emergency departments have recently had to refer patients with such symptoms to other hospitals as they were at capacity. Typically, only people with severe respiratory illness who have trouble breathing need to visit a hospital emergency department.

For those who still need to obtain a flu shot, you can visit www.idph.state.il.us and enter your zip code in the Flu Vaccine Finder. Although flu vaccine is still widely available, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that some doctors' offices and pharmacies are facing shortages. Be sure to call ahead before going to get a vaccination.  Currently manufacturers project producing 135 million doses of flu vaccine this season. At this time, the CDC is indicating there are no known issues with the production of antivirals, such as Tamiflu. However, some areas across the country may experience a shortage because of high demand and pharmacies reordering at the same time.

The vaccine is recommended for everyone six months and older. The flu season normally runs through March and sometimes later. The estimated effectiveness of the vaccine is 62 percent. If you have been vaccinated, but still get the flu, the vaccine can reduce the amount of time you're sick and the severity of symptoms. By getting vaccinated, you can also help protect infants, the elderly and those with chronic diseases who are at greatest risk for complications due to the flu.

For more information about the seasonal flu shot, visit www.idph.state.il.us/flu/, www.flu.gov, or www.walgreens.com/flu.

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WASHINGTON - After attending the swearing-in ceremony of the Iowa legislature this morning in Des Moines, Senator Chuck Grassley will meet this week with Iowans in nine Northeast Iowa communities, including Parkersburg, New Hampton, Delhi, Dubuque, Maquoketa, DeWitt, Davenport, Muscatine, and Cedar Rapids.

"I look forward to these events and meetings to listen to comments, respond to questions, and keep in touch," Grassley said.  "Representative government is a two-way street, and it's strengthened by dialogue between elected officials and the people we represent."

During a Friday meeting with employees at Kent Corporation in Muscatine, Grassley will be presented the National Association of Manufacturers Award for Manufacturing Legislative Excellence by Gage Kent, Chairman and CEO of Kent Corporation.  Kent serves on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Manufacturers, which is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states.

Grassley has held at least one meeting with Iowans in every one of the state's 99 counties since 1980, when he was first elected to serve in the U.S. Senate.

The Senate is not meeting in Washington until Inauguration Day on January 21.

Immediately below is more information about the meeting schedule.

Tuesday, January 15

11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Q&A with students

Aplington-Parkersburg High School

610 North Johnson Street in Parkersburg

3:30-4:30 p.m.

Chickasaw County Town Meeting

New Hampton Public Library

20 West Spring Street in New Hampton

*Grassley will be available until 4:45 p.m. to answer questions from local reporters.

Thursday, January 17

8:45-9:45 a.m.

Q&A with government students

Maquoketa Valley High School

107 South Street in Delhi

11 a.m.-12 noon

Q&A with students

Loras College Alumni Campus Center in the Mary Alexis Room

at the corner of Loras Boulevard and Loras Parkway in Dubuque

*Grassley will be available until 12:15 p.m. to answer questions from local reporters.

12:30-1:30 p.m.

Tour Facility and Q&A with Employees

IBM

700 Locust Street in Dubuque

2:15-3:15 p.m.

Q&A with senior-level students

Maquoketa High School

600 Washington Street in Maquoketa

*Grassley will be available until 3:30 p.m. to answer questions from local reporters.

4-5 p.m.

Q&A with employees

Wendling Quarries

2647 225^th Street in DeWitt

*Grassley will be available until 5:15 p.m. to answer questions from local reporters.

Friday, January 18

8-9 a.m.

Q&A with students

Davenport West High School

3505 West Locust Street in Davenport

*Grassley will be available until 9:15 a.m. to answer questions from local reporters.

10:30a.m.-12 noon

Q&A with employees of Kent Corporation

In addition, Grassley will be presented the National Association of Manufacturers Award for Manufacturing Legislative Excellence by Gage Kent, Chairman and CEO of Kent Corporation and a member of the Board of Directors of the National Association of Manufacturers.

1600 Oregon Street in Muscatine

*Grassley will be available until 12:15 p.m. to answer questions from local reporters.

1:30-2:45 p.m.

Cedar Rapids Naturalization Ceremony

111 Seventh Avenue Southeast in Cedar Rapids

*Grassley will be available until 3 p.m. to answer questions from local reporters.

By Jason Alderman

Anyone who's put a loved one to rest knows that death is not cheap. According to the National Funeral Directors Association, the average adult funeral cost $6,560 in 2009 (their most current data). That doesn't include such common add-ons as a cemetery plot, headstone, flowers, obituaries and limousine, which can add thousands to the bill.

Because death is a frequently avoided topic, many people aren't armed with information about the many variables - and costs - involved in planning a funeral. Thus, just when survivors are grieving and most vulnerable, they're bombarded by decisions that must be made quickly, often without even knowing what their loved one would have wanted.

The key message for the living is to decide on preferred funeral arrangements ahead of time and to convey those wishes to your family - ideally in your will.

Another important lesson: Know your legal rights and what funeral-related goods and services cost so you - or your survivors - don't feel pressured into buying things you don't want or need. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) oversees "The Funeral Rule," which regulates how funeral providers must deal with consumers. Among its provisions:

• Upon request, funeral homes must provide an itemized price list of all their goods and services, whether you call (even anonymously) or visit in person.
• You have the right to choose among their offerings (with certain state-mandated exceptions) and are not required to purchase package deals containing unwanted items.
• Prior to purchasing a casket or outer burial container from a funeral home, they must share descriptions and prices before showing you stock on hand.
• Providers that offer cremations must make alternative containers (besides caskets) available.
• Note: The Funeral Rule does not apply to third-party sellers such as casket and monument dealers, or to cemeteries that lack an on-site funeral home.

If your beliefs don't require following specific funeral protocols, here are a few ways to reduce costs while still honoring the deceased and their survivors:

• Veterans, immediate family members, members of the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service and certain civilians who've provided military-related service may be entitled to burial at a national cemetery with a grave marker. Burial is free, but families are responsible for funeral home expenses and transportation to the cemetery.
• A $255 lump-sum death benefit is available to surviving spouses or minor children of eligible workers who paid into Social Security.
• For many, cremation is a viable, less expensive option to burial. If you plan to hold a viewing first before the cremation, ask whether you can rent an attractive casket for the ceremony.
• Some families prefer not to hold a public viewing. For them, "direct cremation" or "immediate burial" may make sense. Because the body is promptly cremated or interred, embalming and cosmetology services are not necessary, which saves hundreds of dollars. Also, with direct cremation you can opt for an unfinished wood coffin or heavy cardboard enclosure for the journey to the crematorium.
• You can purchase a casket or cremation urn from a source other than your funeral home. The funeral home cannot assess handling fees or require you to be there to take delivery.

The death of a loved one is always upsetting, but you may be able to ease your family's emotional and financial burdens by planning ahead.