Is anyone looking into how this virus got started?  For years it has been reported how difficult it was for bird and human flu to combine (and how deadly if they do combine) considering how often the two are in close contact with each other.  

What is the likelihood of a flu virus jumping not one species but two?  If this was a made-for-TV movie the swine/human/bird flu virus would be the result of a terrorist plot or a mad scientist out to destroy the world.  How did it happen in real life?

For you Richard Engel fans out there -

He is to be a guest on "The Colbert Report" this Tuesday, April 28th.

Welcome back Lester,


I saw Aurhur Gidden, a very young 100 yrs. old siitng and watching the game there in Boston,while I was wacthing the game here in S.C. I could see the 13 yr. old bat boy in him. But sorry Authur,and Lester. I have to go back to the game and pull for my Yankees, and Jeter.

Bye.


Vicki

Good Evening Mr.Holt, A fine Saturday broadcast this evening. First of all the report by Mr.Bazell,Mr.Rossen and Michelle Kosinski about the outbreak of swine flu certainly causes some alarm, yet one shouldn't panic because not all information is known. It is very sad so many people in Mexico have become infected and so many deaths have occurred. Seeing people walk around the city with masks on their faces is disturbing. It is good no deaths have been reported in the United States and those infected are recovering. At least no further deaths have been reported in Mexico. One should take precautions and be vigilant to any symptoms.
Hearing Dr.Besser from the CDC showed how they are working with the government to gain better understanding of the virus having different effects in different areas of the nation and world. I hope the virus stops soon and there are no further reported cases.
On another note the report by Andrea Mitchell about Secretary of State Clinton's visit to Baghdad showed how the commitment to make Iraq more secure is making progress. It is a tense situation still because of several suicide bombings this week and the question of how the Iraqi Security forces will handle the country after the troops withdraw from the region. Hopefully, these attacks this past week are not a sign of a trend. A constant struggle between groups of people in a tumultuous region. I hope someday peace will be the norm.

Very sad to learn of the passing of Beatrice Artur at the age of 86yrs old. She had a great career on the stage, film and of course television. I always liked watching "The Golden Girls" because she was so funny in the part of "Dorothy". She will be greatly missed by many people.

The report by Mr.Cowan was really nice showing how the young and old are making their mark at ballparks. No limits to age and gender! Nice piece!

Thank You for the broadcast Mr.Holt! Peace to You and to All!

Lots of Love to Laurel,Jackie,Stephanie,Claudia,Celine,Anna,Lori,Cary and Matt!
Be Well Always!
Stay Extra,Extra Safe and Well Richard!
XOXO

Most flus originate in SE ASIA, very strange to start in Mexico. The chances of 4 different flu virus combining naturally are about as good as winning the lottery.

I believe this is intentional, it was manufactured and released in Mexico.  My understanding it is running at about a 7% kill rate in Mexico vs 2.5% kill rate for 1918 flu which killed 50 mil people.

Why has no one been discussing this as a possible terrorist attack using biological WMD's ?

Also, an expert has said it has 2 stages; the 1st is mild, the 2nd stage is deadly.

Thank you for reporting this information in a calm, cool and collect fashion.  I will keep tuned to MSNBC for further information.  Again thank you.

Your coverage, Lester, on the Swine flu was
outstanding and a warning to all.  I am not
an alarmist, but common sense dictates that
I must take care of myself.

You are so right about Ball being an equalizer.
Our daughter grew up playing softball and
still plays on the young women's league.
She's awesome and her son has inherited her
talent and I am very proud of both of them.

Have a nice weekend!!!

Phyllis

Wonderful broadcast last night, Lester!

I absolutely loved the baseball stories! Both were so great, and very heartwarming. Couldn't have been a better way to end the Saturday night broadcast.

Thank you for this weekend's news. I'll be sitting in with you from home Sunday evening, see you then!

Have a good one!
-Cary

Hi Lester
Everyone is talking about that flu out here in Southern California. Strange it made it's way back east so quickly.

Hillary is doing such a great job as Secretary of State and just think she didn't get a shoe tossed at her. The people of Iraq seem to welcome her visit. I'm proud we have such a great qualified Secretary of State to represent the USA. Now Powell was great until he lied to the World Leaders at the United Nations. Connie Rice was just Dick Cheney's messager and I know it couldn't be reported but it was seen and spoken in the Foreign Press.

I think it was very nice of Judge Bybee to say he feels bad for approving torture when he knew it was illegal. Judge Bybee taught Law and one of his topics was the 1951 Trial of World War II Japanese soldiers convicted and sentenced to execution for warerboarding US POWs. I guess Judge Bybee thinks the apology is enough for those detained men/woman/children who were tortured by the United States. I look for future countries to just apologize to when they use torture on US citizens.

Have a great day

Please explore with viewers the medical speculation why young people have been targeted by this flu.  In the book about the 1918 Influenza it was suggested that strong bodies more dramatically respond to the virus.

Has anyone assessed how the air quality in Mexico City could exasperate swine flue cases in otherwise healthy individuals?  Mexico City has the worst air quality of any capitol city in the world, couldn't it be assumed that many of its citizens already suffer from chronic respitory ailements?  

What happened to the comments we posted over the weekend?

Maybe the whole world should shut down over the weekend. We just wait for Lester to do his gig on the weekend version of Today, then join him for his gig on the weekend version of the Nightly News. If it weren't for weekends lester, you'd be lost. Maybe we'd like to report on your comings and goings on the weekend. You know some of us do watch you because you're on the weekends? I see that you twitter now. God forbide that we would be allowed to follow you on that. You must be a very busy man. What do you have to but but report on the weekends, narrate specials here and there. I'm going to regret commenting on this, But we don't stop living on the WEEEKENDS!!!

Vicki

Lester,
Brian Williams says you're the hardest
working guy on NBC, and I believe it.
You're amazing!

This Saturday is the Derby in Louisville.
I would not want to be anywhere else.


Have a nice weekend!!!

Phyllis

I'm sorry Bro. Lester. I decided to call Brian, and you Bros.Lester and Brian. Remember that movie
"Twins" with Danny Devito and Arnold Swartzenager
(can't spell that one)?
Lester,what can I say? I do respect you. I just wish that we could respond to your broadcasts on the weekends. I know that you're an extremely busy man.I know that you don't have anything to do with whether or not our comments are posted. And why can't we follow you on Twitter? You know, letting us know that you just got through taking your clothes to the cleaners,etc.?
You do have alot of fans, but it's as if we really don't get a chance to know you. Think about it.

Vicki

Bro. Lester,

As I wrote on the Sun. post(today),I apologize. I know that you're very hardworking and don't have a thing to do with whether our comments posted or not. You're great, you really are.

Vicki

Again, Lester, as Brian Williams once said,
you are the hardest working guy on NBC, and the
nicest according to all.  You are the consummate
professional as well which makes you, in my mind,
above reproach.  

Everybody in Louisville will be watching the Derby
and my husband ups and goes to Florida with a married
couple who own a Condo there.  Go figure. I wouldn't
miss all the fun here for anything.  At least he will
enjoy the beach and get a tan,.

Phyllis
.

Phyllis

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