Let's see . . . they travel around a whole hell of a lot to do a huge amount of heavy mouth-breathing in the middle of many geographically separated crowds of thousands of people in various urban areas.

Yeah, it's a travesty that they should get the vaccine first.

I have no idea how likely it is that a bunch of flu-infested pro-hockey players could infect a given member of the audience at a given game. But there are a lot of people in those crowds, and large public gatherings are a great place for airborne diseases to spread. And there aren't thousands and thousands of NHL players, so is this really such a squandering of vaccine?

Besides, it's not like the NHL couldn't pay extra for it.

Says it all. Joe Hall is the one seated without gloves.

gilgamesh23: Uh, this actually makes sense

'nuff said.

proteus_b: capitalist medicine at work: the vaccine is currently available at walgreens for less than 20 dollars.

i admit that i haven't been following it too closely, but isn't it available at walgreens for less than 20 dollars because the federal government ordered a shiatload of vaccines at taxpayer expense?

proteus_b: capitalist medicine at work: the vaccine is currently available at walgreens for less than 20 dollars.

Socialist medicine at work: I got my H1N1 vaccine today at the county health office for FREE.

Yeah, I bet the NHL leaned on the massive influence it has with all 500 fans in the US to get this vaccine early.

People in America actually watch Hockey?

Canada does not have socialized medicine. They have socialized health insurance.

There's a flu evaluation clinic on my way to work and I just love seeing all those people standing in close quarters for hours while waiting to get in to be told that they are sick and should go home and self medicate. When will the media realize they're playing with a loaded gun?

Oh wait... I guess that's why this flu has been brought to us by Merck and Coca Cola.

/call 911 if you have serious flu symptoms
//no, seriously... Link (new window)

RussianPooper: Canada does not have socialized medicine. They have socialized health insurance.

It's the same with our justice system. I mean legal system. There's no justice.

Shaggy_C: I wonder how many elderly will die because a bunch of young fit men in excellent physical condition stole the vaccine that they should have received.

Zero. Absolutely zero elderly people will die because a hockey team who actually have a legitimate need for it were vaccinated.

Glad I could help.