Lynden police track flu shots incident

The Lynden Police Department is to be commended for its swift action in tracking down a woman who apparently ran her own flu shot clinic at area grocery stores, sparking concern about what might be in the 100 injections she gave.

A flu shot recipient, concerned that the shot didn’t react as usual, alerted the store, where representatives contacted police and health department officials.

The Food and Drug Administration will test the vial to determine if it is a legitimate vaccine, according to Lynden police Lt. John Billester. He expected results to be available Monday.

The woman has yet to be arrested or charged in connection with the flu shot clinics, but police continue to investigate the incidents.

Kudos to the community organizations that raised funds for and awareness of the ongoing fight against AIDS.

Among them are Bellingham filmmaker Wilson Large and the Evergreen AIDS Foundation and Whatcom Educational Credit Union, who funded his film, “The Faces of AIDS in Whatcom County.” It premiered Wednesday on World AIDS Day.

At least 40 million people worldwide are living with the AIDS virus, many of them women and children. They were the theme of this year’s World AIDS day.

“People have become complacent. They don’t realize this disease has jumped the tracks. It’s everywhere now,” said Deborah Westergreen, the support services administrator for the Evergreen AIDS Foundation.

She said women make up the fastest-growing part of the known HIV-positive population of about 169 people in Whatcom, Skagit, San Juan and Island counties. The foundation has gained 42 new HIV-positive clients so far this year, and lost four who died of AIDS.

At home and around the world much remains to be done to fund a cure and comfort those living with the disease. We salute those who do.

The Bellingham City Council plans a first vote Monday on a proposal to ban two-stroke engines on the city-controlled portion of Lake Whatcom. It may be the first time available on the agenda, but we are concerned when important issues are packed together for consideration at one meeting. The city will also take a first vote on the contentious 2005 budget Monday.

We understand why opponents of the ban suggest the timing of the vote serves as a distraction to budget woes.

The ban has been a divisive issue and deserves full citizen consideration, which may take more than the four days warning the city gave.

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