Officials of the Westport Weston Health District said today that extensive plans have been made for a possible H1N1 flu outbreak in the area. Director Mark A. R. Cooper (r) and Ken Kellogg, director of emergency preparedness, briefed the Westport Rotary Club on how the District has been preparing for an outbreak. They said an H1N1 vaccine will be available in mid-October but urged residents meanwhile to get a seasonal flu shot. The first chance for residents to get the seasonal flu shot will be on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Westport Weston Health District, 180 Bayberry Lane. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
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Some For, Some Against
Those in favor of health care reform and those opposed made their views known tonight at Norwalk High School at a forum hosted by Congressman Jim Himes. Many Westporters were among the crowd of more than 1,000. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com
Many Westporters at Himes Norwalk Health Care Meeting
By Larry Untermeyer
An opinionated and vociferous crowd of more than 1,000, including many Westporters, gathered in the Norwalk High School auditorium tonight to express their feelings, both for and against, proposed health care reform. 
A man gestures to the crowd tonight at a health care forum hosted by Congressman Jim Himes (rear) at Norwalk High School. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com
The audience members were extremely vocal in stating their opinions, while Congressman Jim Himes (D-4) in a calm and dignified manner listened and responded to all who spoke. Tonight’s meeting was one of several that the congressman has held throughout his district.
Himes’s sedate manner contrasted sharply with the boisterous yelling of the apparently organized opponents of any form of health care reform, many of whom seemed unwilling to listen to any reasonable explanation of the proposals.
At times, the noise of the hecklers was so loud that the congressman could hardly be heard.
Himes Says Health Care Costs “Will Crush This Country”
In between area Town Hall-type meetings on health care reform, Congressman Jim Himes (D-4) addressed the Westport Rotary Club today on a number of issues, but with health care reform the focus of most interest. The freshman congressman said the one thing most people agree on is that the present system is unacceptable. If it is not changed, he said, “health care cost inflation will crush this country.” Himes said the proposed health care bill creates more competition in the marketplace but lamented what he said was a deficiency in that it does not encourage people to be healthy. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Himes Moves Norwalk Health Care Forum to High School
UPDATE & CORRECT Wednesday’s Norwalk health care forum hosted by Congressman Jim Himes (D-4) has been moved from City Hall to Norwalk High School, his office announced today.
A media advisory said the move was made “in response to concerns over disrupting previously scheduled events at City Hall and in the interest of gathering input from as many constituents as possible.”
The advisory said interest in the event has significantly increased over the past week, and Norwalk Mayor Richard Moccia and the congressman agreed “it would be prudent to secure another venue.”
The forum will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Norwalk High School auditorium, 55 County St.
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An earlier version of this story erroneously said the forum was on Tuesday.
H1N1 Flu Task Force Meets at Health District
Municipal, school, and health officials from Westport, Weston, and Wilton met as an H1N1 Flu Task Force today at the Westport Weston Health District to review preparations pior to school openings. Representatives from Westport included First Selectman Gordon F. Joseloff, Superintendent of Schools Elliott Landon, Fire Chief Christopher Ackley, as well as Health Director Mark Cooper (r). (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Westport, Weston, Wilton Join in H1N1 Task Force
The towns of Westport, Weston, and Wilton, acting with the Westport Weston Health District, have formed an H1N1 Task Force to deal with issues related to a possible H1N1 outbreak, Health District Director Mark A. R. Cooper announced today.
Mark A. R. Cooper: “Doing all that is possible…”. File photo
He said details of the work of the group will be announced Tuesday at a news conference involving municipal leaders, as well as school and public health officials of the three towns.
“We are working together to do all that is possible to prepare for the uncertain flu season ahead of us and to make sure our citizens understand how best to minimize the spread of influenza in our schools and communities,” Cooper said.
He said the towns of Westport, Weston and Wilton have reviewed and are prepared to implement their Public Health Preparedness and Response Plan should the severity of the H1N1 flu increase in the coming weeks or months.
Health District Sets Seasonal Flu Clinics
The Westport Weston Health District today announced the dates of its seasonal flu clinics and said it is important that Westporters get seasonal flu shots in addition to possible H1N1 flu shots.
“While the H1N1 influenza virus has been the focus of attention since the spring, it is important that we do not forget the risks posed by seasonal influenza viruses,” the District said in a news release.
It said every year in the United States, on average 5 percent to 20 percent of the population gets the flu; more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications, and about 36,000 people die from flu-related causes.
Older people, young children, and people with certain health conditions, are at high risk for serious complications from seasonal influenza, the District said.
Westporter Gets Norwalk Hospital Post
Spencer S. Richlin: named chief of reproductive endocrinology and infertility. Contributed photoSpencer S. Richlin of Westport has been appointed chief of reproductive endocrinology and infertility at Norwalk Hospital.
He is surgical director and a specialist with Reproductive Medicine Associates of Connecticut on Glover Avenue in Norwalk and is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology and reproductive endocrinology.
Richlin received his medical degree from the University of Southern California School of Medicine after attaining a Master’s Degree in Applied Physiology from the Chicago Medical School.
He completed his internship and residency training at The Stamford Hospital affiliated with Columbia University School of Medicine, where he served as chief resident in obstetrics and gynecology.
Westport Physician Has RX for Health Care System
Westport physician Robert Levine has authored a new book, “Shock Therapy for the American Health Care System: Why Comprehensive Reform Is Needed.” In it, Levine says that in order to cut administrative costs, the United States needs a single-payer system and should put all physicians on salary to prevent profit-driven medical practices. “Our health care system is in great trouble and no one is talking about it in terms of containing costs,” Levine said. The book, which will not be sold in stores, is available beginning Friday through www.barnesandnoble.com and www.amazon.com. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
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