Claim: Article reveals the Mayo Clinic's expectations for a swine flu pandemic.
Example: [Collected via e-mail, September 2009]
My Dear Friends,
My mother works at the Mayo Clinic and she just informed me of some alarming news concerning the H1N1 virus. Please read and take precaution.
I have just come out of a meeting with my boss, Peter, and he has shared something that is very important that I share with you.
Unfortunately, our government has not been completely honest with us about the swine flu situation. You should know that Mayo Clinic is preparing for a imminent pandemic which is suppose to start in a matter of a week or two from today. We have been informed by the CDC (Center of Disease Control) that they expect 2 to
the next
This is a sobering situation to be informed about. I feel that it is my responsibility to inform you of what I've learned. You are to take
precautions from this day on for the next three months. Carry and use hand sanitizer several times throughout your days. Report any fever immediately to your doctor. Use a mask if you are in school or at work in a health facility. Avoid kissing with your partners and family members. GET BOTH THE SEASONAL FLU AND SWINE FLU VACCINE!!! Keep yourself healthy - eat right, get the right amount of rest, exercise, take vitamins, don't get too stressed.
This is REAL dear family. This is not me going overboard. I just came out of a meeting. This is real.
Origins: Kevin Punsky, External Communications Manager with the Mayo Clinic's Division of Public Affairs in Jacksonville, Florida, told us in reference to the above-quoted message about that organization's supposed expectations and preparations for a swine flu pandemic that:
Please ignore the information contained in the errant email from a Mayo Clinic employee. The information is wrong. Please know that we were alerted to the employee's email and that we're taking appropriate action. Mayo Clinic takes great steps to ensure that our patients and staff are well informed on serious health matters. So, it is with deep regret that this situation occurred.
The employee describing the H1N1 pandemic took hypothetical statistics used in internal planning scenarios, misstated them and presented them as real. Like all health-care organizations, Mayo Clinic proactively plans for public health scenarios of varying severities in accordance with guidelines from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
Last updated: 3 October 2009