Swine Flu and My Vacation
May 8, 2009 10:42 am Random GripingsThis last week my wife and I went on a cruise out of Long Beach. Originally the cruise was supposed to go from Long Beach to Catalina, then down to Encenada, Mexico.
Well, as you probably guessed it, the Encenada part got cancelled because of the swine flu outbreaks in Mexico. Part of me feels that in the long run this is probably a good thing, but then part of me also keeps wondering how much of this flu is mostly media hype.
I don’t know all the details, so I’m not going to be all super critical on the technicalities of the flu or anything. Any time someone dies from this or some other disease it’s a sad thing. But it seems like almost every year there is some sort of animal named disease that comes out that is going to be the next thing to wipe us out.
A few years ago it was Mad Cow Disease (they made some great stuffed animals from that one), then there was the Bird or Avian Flu, and now it’s Swine Flu. Is it just me or does the media just love this kind of stuff and overinflates it?
Anyway, just some random thoughts on the subject. It’s sad, don’t get me wrong, but how come they don’t report on the thousands that die from regular flu each year?
I Miss Having Summer Vacation…
I’m Really Ready for a LONG Weekend
Going on Vacation This Weekend!
Great Summer Vacations
Remembering a Trip to Orlando
tags: gripings, random, thoughts
I have noticed that the media just eats these stories up, its a news story dream. They scare people into stocking up on groceries and supplies like its the end of the world. It is ridiculous.
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The media always loved to overreact in one thing, as they want to catch the public attention!
However, it’s still better to prevent ourselves from this horrible disease, as we got nothing to lose after all!
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As what they say prevention is better than cure. We must be extra careful about the swine flu virus that kills many people.
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I read somewhere that the whole swine flu scare is so blown out to make people forget about the failing economy. As much as I hate conspiracy theories this would kinda make sense.
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That is funny. I forgot about mad cow disease. Now when the dog flu hits or the crazy cat disease then you will really see people freaking out!
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While I also think that the media as always overreacted with this swine flu thing, part of me says its better to be cautious for a while till it dies down.
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It is good to be cautious, but there are monetary benefits to making a big deal out of it for the media. Things like this raise their ratings which increases advertising revenue. Just like talking about bad economic news or frankly bad news of any kind. This is why the media is always so focused on the bad things that are going on. It is a view that is biased because it is good business for the media.
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Well, its made us stop worrying about the economny for two seconds and start worrying about something else.
What animal do you think it’ll be named after next year -Hamster flu? Buffalo flu?
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I was just on that cruise a couple of weeks before you. We got back right when the flu hit the press. My whole office was scared to even be around me for a week. I wish people would get off this already. I want to watch the news again.
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I mean you have to believe media plays a big role in these things. The brother of a close buddy of mine just went to Cancun about a week ago and told me that really nothing is all that different with the locals. However, he told me the place was almost deserted. I also was shocked to see that my most recent pricecheck on flights to Mexico showed tickets for Cancun and Acapulco for as low as 70 bucks each way. Almost makes you wanna go just for a weekend or two….
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Nice and interesting article, thank you.
Please keep on blogging !
Best regards !
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I have heard that the World Health Organization will only be able to produce a vaccine in a year. I am a bit terrified as I can imagine how many people will pass away because that disease. I have got my supply of anti-viral medications and feel a bit secure.
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I agree with you in thinking that the media somewhat blows this type of stuff out of proportion. They really need to start cracking down and keeping an eye on what is being said because the media is doing the same thing with the economy in trying to get people to believe that everything is worse than it actually is.
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Yes, I do think that the threat of this disease is exaggerated. The media are having a field day with it because it sells a lot of papers. And they’re very happy about that, since their revenues are down because of everything going online!
Here in Australia we’ve had quite a few cases of it, and a couple of deaths. But it does seem like it’s only a mild version here. (Apparently more people die of regular flu, but that doesn’t get reported.)
I heard a well known doctor on the radio say: “Don’t worry about it! If you get it, so what?” Frankly I agree with him.
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I used to live in Long Beach and was always too busy (or thought I was) to get around to the Catilina/Mexico cruise with much regret. Hopefully the swine flu scare has subsided by now and you can make arrangements to get down there.
Larry
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the spread of AH1N1 or Swine Flu is really scary. It is a good thing that this virus is not very deadly. We are advised to take Vitamin-C and to wear face masks.
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As long as you don’t live in a third world country and have access to basic medicine it’s nothing to worry about.
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Meida abuse feelings os citizens overreacting towards incidents
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Nice and interesting article, thank you.
Please keep on blogging !
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great article from you. Find this one very helpful. Thanks! I believe we should be more aware with this swine flu. We should take care of our health, especially now that we are suffering from crisis. Plus, with that note above, you can also try working at home. Google money master is the best that I could recommend you. It’s really great to be with this one. See it for yourself !
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Well, always be care about swine flu.I always do care.
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I believe I’ve read that the mortality rate thus far with the H1N1 virus has been lower than the regular flu. Which makes the whole media reaction ridiculous.
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thanks for your information
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Thanks for this great article, i really like it! Nina
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Nice article, i really like it! Thanks! Nils
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I would agree! The whole swine flu thing is a bunch of crap unless you live in a country that has terrible healthcare. I wouldn’t want to be in Mexico right now not because of the outbreak, but because of their medical care.
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The media machine makes me sceptical of just about anything. A for instance would be the public being told about massive amounts of anti-virals stock piled incase of a pandemic. Now we are waiting on more being produced?
Great Post I liked it alot
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Nice article. I think that it’s important to keep us informed, but not scare everyone to death!!
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You have wrote a great article. I really appreciate your decision.
But swine flu is spreading all over the world nowadays! So may GOD protecdt us from it.
Regards!
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Give them an inch and they will take a mile. This is how they get their ratings. They especially love hurricane season.
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nice post… i like this informative information of …. more post please…
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Looks like this swineflu nonesense was just drummed up to justify the excessive salaries paid to the so called ‘health experts’ as usual. Just don’t get me started on ‘global warming’ !
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Swine flu was and still is over-hyped.
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Care about swine flu……i do care…..
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Swine flu is a dangerous disease. but truly speaking the media has made it over hyped..
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Is swine flu still as prevalent now as it was a few months ago.
We will be travelling soon, and going to Mexico was on the cards.
Thanks,
AJ
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I wish a Happy New Year 2010
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Be on guard out there. There is a worst strain of swine in Eastern Europe and Middle East. Could come back stronger, more lethal than before.
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Swine flu was a complete exaggeration as I said all along - now it appears that at least half of the Government’s advisors were in the pay of the pharmaceuticals industry !
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they havent even tested the vaccine dont trust them at all!
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Great post. Interesting facts. Yes there is always some kind of new story every year. Very true.
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The truth is out - Swine Flu was the none event of 2009 !
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Nice article. I think that it’s important to keep us informed, but not scare everyone to death!!
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Really good and informative post,can be very helpful but if a person becomes pro-active about their diet,health and environment too can easily return back to a normal lifestyle.Thanks for the recommendation.
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The exact same thing happened to a friend of mine. Her cruise to Mexico was canceled due to the Swine Flu outbreak. The Swine definitely makes 2009’s top 10 (right next to Lady Gaga)
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thanks for sharing your experience. be careful about swine flu
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Now that the Swine flu “epidemic” is over, and we count the dead, it is only fair to say that it was a hoax to make us take a vaccine that at best wouldn’t protect us, and at worst would kill us.
So what was it all about? Well there are many conspiracy theories out there, but I think it is safe to say that the companies producing vaccine are in business to make money. So maybe they were “lobbying” to make the most of of a perceived dangerous epidemic, and pushed the vaccines to as many governments as possible. WHO helped make that possible through a new set of rules that overrides national law in the case of a “pandemic”. And by the way a pandemic has now been redefined so that we only need a few people in a few countries being affected, before WHO can call it a pandemic.
Watch out for the new flu season - the vaccine might get you the next time.
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Nice post…I really liked it! Thanks!
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the media is bullshit. so many people them it’s ridiculous. What about all those people who die of aids every year?
just turn off your tv.
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Another waste of money swine flue was a big bogus
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Good information!its time to buckle up all your habits can keep you healthy and take precautions.Good luck.
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My country purchased hundreds of thousands of shots and maybe less than 20% were actually used. The state tried to market it all and convince people to take the shot… but that didn’t really matter, and all the shots will be thrown out soon.
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You know the funny part to all this is that the media needs to run around something or the other. If there isn’t the terrorist attacks, than its what the celebs up to. If it isn’t that than its about the many deaths caused by natural disasters. The important thing to all this is that the news and the media. Now only records the number of deaths taking place worldwide. That is kind of freaky at times. Its weird how a bird flu in China reaches to Mexico in a matter of hours. Its insane on how these people are exploiting our minds. We are too lazy on our part to perform any research and so heavily rely on the media for our information. Anyway a thumb rule that all should keep in mind that is to be vaccinated by a number of shots so that wherever you travel you are save from that country’s disease.
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There are many people who die after suffering from Aids, or other diseases. Responsible persons should take a strict action against them as well & should vaccinate people. However here you can get such places which are free from all types of diseases & you can enjoy your travel without facing any trouble
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well it all seems to have died down on the swine flu front im just curious as to whether it is still about or if its completely gone.
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what kind of vacation if you spend it in front of your PC???
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in vacation i even dont take my cell phone
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These years, we have been suffering a lot of serious deseases,SARS, Bird Flu, Swine Flu … They took so many lives that we, as human beings, really need to find out a reason of that. We have done too many terrible things to the earth, our ONLY planet. I think it is time to pay back. We are seeing so many changes on earth these years. God is angry.
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Tahnk you for helping us fighting again those who do this, and thanx for letting us know there is a list in order to avoid it. Hope it works! i deeply believe that machines wont win
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They are going crazy. Even the media is spreading wrong infos to people at times. Anyways we personally should get a deep knowledge on it.
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this kind of ill are not totally scary yes it is contagious but it is easy to cure no need to much to worry.
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Tahnk you for helping us fighting again those who do this, and thanx for letting us know there is a list in order to avoid it. Hope it works! i deeply believe that machines wont win
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I was just on that cruise a couple of weeks before you. We got back right when the flu hit the press. My whole office was scared to even be around me for a week. I wish people would get off this already. I want to watch the news again.
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I also get trapped another state dunring swine flu attack in our country. It was the most devastating time of my life.
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The second phase of Swine Flu is approaching, be cautious.
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Wow… my son had swine flu.. it was bad, you don’t want it.
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this swine flu stuff is just nuts. when you look at the facts, there’s really nothing to be worried about. humans are inherently bad at judging risks. this is a perfect example
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This flu was prevalent among swines here in the philippines, im glad our goverment tried to correct this already
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Bacterias are getting stronger each day, with prevailing antibiotics, its like a race is raging between them
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Im afraid of this one. I just hope scientist find a way to stop this kind of flu. All we need is to be clean and careful sometimes
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To be more cautious is the key, always wash your hand, check the food that you are eating, be careful on what to touch and drink vitamins to reaise your immune system
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This one should be controlled. A world health organization effort should be directed in stopping this or at least preventing a widespread damage
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I know this was posted a while ago, but with the flu season coming up I have no doubts we will all be hearing more about swine flu in the near future again.
I am certain that the swine flu “epidemic” was mostly media hype. As it turns out more people die from regular influenza every year than died from swine flu last year.
I worked at a college last winter coaching indoor soccer, and even though we had a young lady on our team who got it twice, none of the other players on either team, nor either of the coaches caught it because we used precautions against catching it.
They included, but weren’t limited to:
Frequently washing your hands,
Drinking a glass tea every night, and more if you’re feeling slightly ill (the temperature is supposed to help rid the bacteria),
Drinking more fluids in general (the virus cannot live in your stomach)
And if I caught anyone sharing water bottle at practice, they both ran three laps of the gym.
Hope that helps keep everyone healthy this flu season, be it swine flu, or the regular kind.
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Every year, there are thousands of people that do die of the flu in the United States. The media does talk of this when it is time to get the flu shot, so it is being reported now. The fear with the swine flu is the fact that we didn’t have a natural immunity to it, the same thing with the bird flu. The bird flu can still be a problem. There is not a natural immunity for it. All someone has to do is refer to the Spanish flu outbreak of 1918 to see what could happen. It would be worse today, since global travel is faster. People can spread the infection before it is even known that they have an infection. Being a “global community” is great, but it does have drawbacks.
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Their children, I do not do vaccinations, I think it’s all politics. access to the human body through fear.
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I agree with your point in your last question. There are also no reports on people who suffer in other ways such as in car crashes. I guess we know the extent of those dramas so as swine flu is kind of new people were unaware of its max potential although we now see it affects a tiny amount of people.
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I’ve also wondered about that before. It does seem that the media loves to hype everything up that is bad. When it comes to getting a vaccine for this particular flu, I say “no thanks.” I don’t want them injecting anything that relates with Swine Flu or any other unknown ingredients that are found in the shot, in me…
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thank you ^_^
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I am so glad that the vaccination is now widely available to everyone. Hopefully, this will help put this “epidemic” and the panic surrounding it into the past!
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in India, Swine Flu is not stopped now . But some vaccine came of swine flu. i hope patient would be far away from swine flu.
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The swine flu has startled the world, I hope it ends quickly!
Nascoim
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Its not like Media type. I think as other flues are general, its not like a news for anyone, but as swine flues are occassional and it makes death toll rise at once, it becomes news.
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hi really great work.
Thank you for that.
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I am really relieved that they have the vaccine now readily available for swine flu. But, now they are talking about bird flu. I guess if it is not one thing, then it is another.
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Hope you are having a great time.
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Before the name got changed people were slaughtering their pigs by the hundreds…
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…gotta love the swine flu. wait what? ridiculously bad fortune for anyone that was struck with this illness.
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good posing , it is some informative.
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Well, I’m not cancelling my vacation because of it, but then we aren’t going to Mexico. If we were going to Mexico, I probably would change the location.
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As for creating wonderful opportunities, I suspect there are far better ways of spending the time required to get noticed through a personal blog.
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yeah i am very happy that the vaccination is available now guys..can save lifes
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I did get the Swine Flu last year, and it was HORRIBLE.
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Don’t be too scared about the swine flu, the normal flu is worse.
By the way: Vaccines can sometimes even give you the actual disease you tried to save yourself from.
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Hope it goes well for you
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Swine flu is less dangerous than the regular flu.
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Had H1N1. Was bad.
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Thanks for the great post.In my opinion The Swine Flu is a combination of four known strains including Avian flu, Human Influenza and two other viruses.
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Nice informative post… swine flue could be of great trouble, we need to be extra cautious to safeguard against this infection. Thanks again!
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Congratulations for posting such a usef ul weblog. Your blog is not only informative but also very artistic too. There normally are very few people who can write not so easy articles that creatively. Keep up the good work !!
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This one should be controlled. A world health organization effort should be directed in stopping this or at least preventing a widespread damage
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This is the page that I was looking for, i am very happy that the vaccination is available now.
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Nice informative post… swine flue could be of great trouble, we need to be extra cautious to safeguard against this infection. Thanks again!
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@Steve Gordon “Swine flu is less dangerous than the regular flu.”
Dude, are you serious? :O
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Nice and very informative article, thanks a lot. Please keep on blogging
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Hi,
I have find here a good topic.I think that Swine influenza, also called pig influenza, swine flu, hog flu and pig flu, is an infection by any one of several types of swine influenza virus.
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But it seems like almost every year there is some sort of animal named disease that comes out that is going to be the next thing to wipe us out.
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every time, but this year we finally decided to live up to that statement. Naturally they weren’t too happy with the idea, but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do!
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Part of me feels that in the long run this is probably a good thing, but then part of me also keeps wondering how much of this flu is
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Part of me feels that in the long run this is probably a good thing, but then part of me also keeps wondering how much of this flu is mostly media hype.
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Part of me feels that in the long run this is probably a good thing, but then part of me also keeps wondering how much of this flu is mostly media hype.
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Nice Article. Swine flu is one of the worst diseases. it’s dreaded here in asia. Hope it finds a remedy.
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But it seems like almost every year there is some sort of animal named disease that comes out that is going to be the next thing to wipe us out.
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Sorry to hear that your vacation was canceled
but the swine flu was actually pretty bad. Killed the elderly and infants, but perhaps, I can agree that it might have been slightly overhyped. 
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yeah, nice that you have thought of that. Anyway, The world is trying send a message for us. Different catastrophes occur and this different type of flu is just one of them. We should take good care of ourselves and be always alert on every situation.
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Thanks god no more swine flu.
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but then part of me also keeps wondering how much of this flu is mostly media hype
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This article was excelent, thanks
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Need to be very careful while going for vacation, Get all the information before going to that place if any biological diseases are their please avoid that place…thank for posting this informative blog.
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I am glad we are not worried about swine flu anymore.
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The best way is to prevent ourselves from this horrible disease, as we got nothing to lose anymore.
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yea, this thing was getting pretty scary at once, hope its gone for good
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This post is very excellent information post. Thanks for sharing this post.
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This would really be a great time to discuss Travel Insurance.
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This post is very awesome post. Thanks for sharing.
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Really a good article it is. Most of us forgot about that some misshaping can also be happen with us.It is good to take preventions for the analyzed problems
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I am glad we’re not worried about swine flu today!
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Thanks for the informative blog about about swine flue.
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thank you
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great comments .. Thanks for your interest
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I haven’t got my flu shot yet, i hate havign to get them.
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hi really great work.
Thank you for that.
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hi
really you did a very good job.Some times media hype the things very much.
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Fortunately the Swine flu outbreak seems long gone by now. Think you can now go to Mexico and be afraid for your life for other reasons.
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This is all a product of the media and the endless cycle of needing new news 24 hours a day. There will always be some outbreak that sounds much worse than it really is!
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Nice and interesting article, thank you.
Please keep on blogging.
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I don’t believe in swine flu… They are just scaring people.
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its better tobe safe than sorry
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I am happy to find this post very useful for me, as it contains lot of information. I always prefer to read the quality content and this thing I found in you post. Thanks for sharing..
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Are you feeling better?
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What would people rather have, swine flu or mad cow?
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That sucks when you already planned everything and then it ends up getting cancelled! Ugh!
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Yes, you are correct, more often than not especially recently, the media is guilty of the charges you state, and many that are far, far worse (complicity in the terror CRIMES of 9/11/01).
And fantastic job there to uncover a pattern of naming the diseases after animals, possibly to increase fear amongst humans.
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