Swine Flu

Clawandfang · **Reply #40 on:** May 06, 2009, 03:43:18 PM

To be perfectly fair on the media they haven't seriously overblown this one; nothing like the MMR/autism scare a little while back.

Petrie. · **Reply #41 on:** May 06, 2009, 07:52:19 PM

The media isn't overblowing it Malte. Most are saying, just do basic hygeine and that would keep you as safe as the "normal" flu would.

Malte279 · **Reply #42 on:** May 07, 2009, 03:53:04 AM

In that case it looks like we are the ones to blame ourselves of overblowing things. Perhaps we are so indignant about hearing further bad news that the moment we hear them we are going at the messenger? :unsure:

Littlefoot1616 · **Reply #43 on:** May 07, 2009, 05:53:47 AM

It is probably moreso the public over-reacting but the media has to be accountable for a certain amount. Granted, on the first hearing of anything that can be relative, people do tend to go nuts. Fuel crisis - people charge to the petrol pumps with 3 cars and extra barrels/can, recession/saving rates fall/banks in debt - people withdrawl every penny they've got and stuff it under their matress. Now this swine flu is another example of the OTT reaction most are displaying. Maybe the media isn't to blame directly (it's keeping us informed after all) but it does just seem to fan the flames of fear once news gets out.

Petrie. · **Reply #44 on:** May 07, 2009, 07:04:54 AM

Even if it isn't a war, if it bleeds, it sells.

DarkHououmon · **Reply #45 on:** May 12, 2009, 05:14:44 PM

Seems there's an odd feature that the swine flu is exhibiting: no fever.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/13/health/1...ner=rss&emc=rss
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/13/health/1...ner=rss&emc=rss

The Chronicler · **Reply #46 on:** June 11, 2009, 05:16:42 PM

It's official, swine flu is now considered a pandemic.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/un_un_swine_flu

One thing I must agree on: this declaration of a pandemic would have happened earlier, but many countries wouldn't allow it, fearing it would cause mass panic.

Petrie. · **Reply #47 on:** June 11, 2009, 08:06:22 PM

This one piece in that article says enough:

Quote

So far, swine flu has caused 144 deaths, compared with ordinary flu that kills up to 500,000 people a year.

Apparently it isn't strong enough to kill despite thousands affected by the virus.