Swine Flu

[Nicki Laycoax]

What are your thoughts on the Swine Flu?

Are you taking extra measures to protect yourself?

Do you know anyone that has been affected? Is it worse than the other strains of the flu that you've seen?

[Nicki Laycoax]

Haha...

[Erik Deckers]

I've got the same thing right now. Coughing like crazy over a little throat tickle.

[Michael R.]

Everyone at my work is coughing...weird. I started to have some sinus issues early last week and started sneezing like crazy but I chalked it up to having the AC on for the first time this year. It seems that I've had a bit of a head cold but I'm pretty much over it as far as I can tell. I don't feel like I have the flu (knock on wood).

[Theresia Whitfield]

Yes, this COULD become a big deal. And we SHOULD be taking precautions. But the one death in the US wasn't even a US citizen. It was a kid FROM Mexico. So, we really can't count it as a US death, now can we? Likewise, lots of people in the US who have the N1H1-Swine-Pig-Human-Avian-Mexican-flu are already over it. We have MUCH better technology here in the US to treat these types of things. If we're sensible and take seriously the tips you mentioned above, Erik, then there shouldn't be anything to worry about. In fact, we should have been doing these things before this issue came about! Right now there are thousands of people who have the "regular" flu (is that the non-swine flu or something entirely different). But no one is talking about that, and it is also a deadly disease. I'm not saying don't take precautions but at the same token, let's be reasonable.

[Kathryn Hammer]

How about I Can't Believe It's Not Swine Flu?

Calling it the Mexican flu would make the most sense, as it would be clear which flu they're talking about...that is, if clarity were a priority. This particular strain has genetic material from swine flu, human flu, and the avian flu. So why single out the poor pig? (Evidently, the Mexican tourism board sits on the World Health Organization's Virus Naming Rights Committee.) Pinning it on the pig makes everyone happy. Except the Pork Producers, who are already suffering economic consequence. Nevermind the disease is not foodborne. It's the name, man! So, now Egypt is slaughtering its entire pig population. I don't even want to think about what they would do with an outbreak of German measles.

It's all pretty fascinating from a PR standpoint. There's considerable disagreement on what it should be called--mostly for political reasons. Israel calls it the Mexican flu. Homeland Security now calls it H1N1. Others insist it should be called the North American flu. It seems petty from a public health standpoint, but high stakes to those who understand the power of perception in naming and branding.

[Theresia Whitfield]

I don't even want to think about what they would do with an outbreak of German measles.

OMG! I'm cracking up! That's hysterical!

[Theresia Whitfield]

Excellent, Matt!! I couldn't agree more.

[elizabeth trybula]

I heard this yesterday on NPR, a glimpse back to the 1976 swine flu scare
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=103582555

Perspective is as valuable as preparation, I guess I'm trying to maintain a balance between the two.

[Jim Cota]

Interesting...

2009 Swine Flu (H1N1) Outbreak Map
http://tinyurl.com/c9qqe4

[Nicki Laycoax]

My cashier at Wal-mart tonight was wearing rubber gloves... Extreme?

[Michael R.]

I couldn't help myself:)