Nov. 6, 2009

The following is an editorial written by State Representative Barb Byrum (D-Onondaga). If you have questions about this commentary, please contact Rep. Byrum's office by calling (517) 373-0587.

As the holiday season approaches, one holiday that deserves just as much attention as Christmas or Thanksgiving is the one that is foremost in my mind right now. Veterans Day is this Wednesday, November 11, and I will have the honor of taking part in several Veterans Day activities, these next few days. It is an incredible honor and a privilege to have the chance to thank these men and women who have served honorably and with distinction.

Though we can never truly repay them for their sacrifices, many of the veterans I have spoken with have told me that even hearing "Thank you for all you have done for our country" means the world to them. They deserve our gratitude and respect.

Every time I speak with a veteran of our armed services, I am reminded of the tremendous sacrifices they have made, and how little they have asked for in return. They leave their families, their homes, their communities, and put their lives on the line in defense of our freedom. Without their selfless sacrifice, we would not enjoy the country we have today.

This service and dedication serves as an example that we can draw from in our everyday lives. Honor, duty and respect for self and country – these are values that will serve you well whether you are a soldier in Kandahar or in a boardroom in Lansing. By carrying on their lessons of service and honor, we will build a stronger Michigan and a stronger country. Following their example not only honors their sacrifice, but the ideals they fought to protect: a country where all are free to speak, gather, and worship as they please, participate in government, raise our children, bear arms and live a happy life full of joy and opportunity, without want or fear.

Our veterans are examples of this service and sacrifice and provide a model for us to emulate. As you contemplate what they have done for us this Veterans Day, consider what you can do to make our community stronger. Perhaps you can donate a few dollars to a local charity, or a couple of hours at your local food bank. Take some time with seniors this holiday season, or mentor a struggling youth. What sacrifices can you make to make a better life for someone else?

It is this spirit of working for something bigger than ourselves, of serving a greater purpose and working for other people – these are the values that are embodied in the service of our veterans. This Veterans Day, be sure to thank a veteran for their sacrifice. It is a small way to show them that you appreciate what they have done for us.

The following is an editorial written by State Representative Barb Byrum (D-Onondaga). If you have questions about this commentary, please contact Rep. Byrum's office by calling (517) 373-0587.

H1N1 continues to be a major topic of discussion. There are some important facts to know about this flu strain. Those most at risk from this virus are pregnant women, infants and young children.

Like many seasons before, there is a seasonal flu vaccine to protect against seasonal flu viruses. There is also a 2009 H1N1 vaccine to protect against the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus. A vaccine is the first and most important step in protecting against flu infection.

H1N1 vaccine comes in two forms: a shot and a nasal spray. The shot contains dead H1N1 cells, while the nasal spray contains the live flu virus with the portions of the virus that make you sick removed. None of the H1N1 vaccines licensed contain an adjuvant.  The flu vaccine will not give you the flu. Children under 10 may require two doses of the vaccine to ensure effectiveness.

Each county will be distributing the vaccine differently. The supply is short at this time, but the Michigan Department of Community Health expects that there will be enough vaccine for everyone who wishes to be vaccinated. For more information about vaccine availability in Ingham County, please visit www.ingham.org. You may also visit www.michigan.gov/flu for more information.

Like most forms of the flu, H1N1 is spread primarily through coughing, sneezing, or touching something with the virus on it and then touching your nose, mouth or eyes. Frequent washing of hands with soap and water or with alcohol-based hand sanitizers is the best way to avoid spreading this disease. Remember, when washing your hands, the rule is to wash with soap and water as long as it takes to sing the entire ABC's song. You should also practice sneezing or coughing into your elbow, and not your hand.

As the days progress, much more information about the H1N1 vaccine will be out. I would encourage you to talk to your doctor and educate yourself on the pros and cons of this vaccine before making a decision.

I would also like you to beware of some scams that are out there, saying they will prevent or treat the swine flu. Recently, I have heard about supplement pills to boost the immune system, protective shampoos and face masks. There has even been word about a fake Tamiflu. The Food and Drug Administration has issued a website of fake flu treatments. You can find that information at http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/h1n1flu/

The following commentary was written by State Representative Barb Byrum (D-Onondaga). If you have any questions, please contact Byrum's office at (517) 373-0587.

With the growing popularity of social networking sites such as MySpace and Facebook, we now have more tools than ever at our disposal to keep in touch with our friends, family and loved ones. In fact, it is estimated that nearly 25 percent of Internet users visit Facebook daily, making it one of the most popular Web sites in the world.

I have maintained my own Facebook account for a while now, and I have found it to be an extremely useful tool in talking to people throughout the community, and keeping residents updated about what is going on here at the State Capitol.

Unfortunately, while social media sites like these can be useful, there is potential for children who use these sites to come into contact with inappropriate or even dangerous material. More than one-third of young Internet users have seen sexual material while online, and one in seven have received sexual solicitations, according to a study from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

If your child uses these social networking sites, or visits online chat rooms, be sure to talk with them about the dangers of meeting people online. A good way to do this is to try and keep track of who your children are exchanging e-mail with, and be sure to supervise your children when they use sites like Facebook or MySpace.

Some other tips that may help:

• * Place your home computer in the family room or in an easily accessible location.
• * Sit down with your child and create clear, simple rules for them to follow and be sure to follow up on whether these rules are being followed.
• * Some of these rules may include a time limit spent online, or a list of sites that should not be visited.
• * Post these rules by your computer, or in busy areas of your home.

You also may want to protect your children by using filters and software that allow you to block hazardous sites and monitor your child's Internet usage. Web surfing programs like Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox have these filters already installed.

Remember, parents are the best tool a child can use to stay safe online. Encourage your kids to talk with you about what they see online, and be open and available when they have questions. If a child feels comfortable talking with you about their Internet use, they will be much more likely to come to you if something happens.

Parents of teenagers and older kids should remind their children that potential employers and college admissions often check the Facebook and MySpace profiles of applicants, so they should think twice about what they post online. A good rule of thumb: when you are about to click "send," ask yourself whether you would mind seeing what you're posting on a billboard.

The Internet can be a great tool to help educate and communicate, but families should be aware of the dangers. With strong communication and some preparation, we can help keep our kids safe.