Swine Flu and My Vacation

10:42 am Random Gripings

This 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?

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Comments

  1. May 9th, 2009 | 1:18 pm

    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.

    [Reply]

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  2. May 10th, 2009 | 12:57 am

    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!

    [Reply]

  3. online community philippines
    May 10th, 2009 | 11:42 pm

    As what they say prevention is better than cure. We must be extra careful about the swine flu virus that kills many people.

    [Reply]

  4. May 12th, 2009 | 1:20 am

    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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  5. May 13th, 2009 | 5:32 am

    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!

    [Reply]

  6. May 13th, 2009 | 4:32 pm

    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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  7. May 18th, 2009 | 4:27 pm

    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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  8. May 19th, 2009 | 8:10 am

    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?

    [Reply]

  9. May 20th, 2009 | 12:31 pm

    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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  10. May 27th, 2009 | 9:43 pm

    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….

    [Reply]

  11. June 17th, 2009 | 2:45 pm

    Nice and interesting article, thank you.
    Please keep on blogging !

    Best regards !

    [Reply]

  12. June 22nd, 2009 | 2:01 pm

    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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  13. June 26th, 2009 | 10:18 am

    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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  14. June 28th, 2009 | 8:07 pm

    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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  15. July 5th, 2009 | 8:15 am

    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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  16. July 11th, 2009 | 1:48 am

    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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  17. July 14th, 2009 | 7:06 am

    As long as you don’t live in a third world country and have access to basic medicine it’s nothing to worry about.

    [Reply]

  18. July 22nd, 2009 | 3:11 pm

    Meida abuse feelings os citizens overreacting towards incidents

    [Reply]

  19. July 25th, 2009 | 1:01 am

    Nice and interesting article, thank you.
    Please keep on blogging !

    [Reply]

  20. July 29th, 2009 | 4:35 am

    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 ! :)

    [Reply]

  21. August 3rd, 2009 | 3:20 am

    Well, always be care about swine flu.I always do care.

    [Reply]

  22. August 20th, 2009 | 5:16 pm

    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.

    [Reply]

  23. August 30th, 2009 | 10:32 pm

    thanks for your information

    [Reply]

  24. September 7th, 2009 | 4:03 pm

    Thanks for this great article, i really like it! Nina

    [Reply]

  25. September 8th, 2009 | 5:26 am

    Nice article, i really like it! Thanks! Nils

    [Reply]

  26. September 9th, 2009 | 11:07 am

    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.

    [Reply]

  27. September 12th, 2009 | 6:35 pm

    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

    [Reply]

  28. September 22nd, 2009 | 12:40 pm

    Nice article. I think that it’s important to keep us informed, but not scare everyone to death!!

    [Reply]

  29. October 1st, 2009 | 4:10 am

    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!

    [Reply]

  30. October 3rd, 2009 | 2:33 am

    Give them an inch and they will take a mile. This is how they get their ratings. They especially love hurricane season.

    [Reply]

  31. October 28th, 2009 | 11:55 pm

    nice post… i like this informative information of …. more post please…

    [Reply]

  32. October 31st, 2009 | 1:47 pm

    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’ !

    [Reply]

  33. November 17th, 2009 | 2:21 pm

    Swine flu was and still is over-hyped.

    [Reply]

  34. November 20th, 2009 | 11:40 am

    Care about swine flu……i do care…..

    [Reply]

  35. December 8th, 2009 | 4:15 am

    Swine flu is a dangerous disease. but truly speaking the media has made it over hyped..

    [Reply]

  36. December 28th, 2009 | 3:15 pm

    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

    [Reply]

  37. December 29th, 2009 | 5:35 am

    I wish a Happy New Year 2010

    [Reply]

  38. January 21st, 2010 | 4:00 pm

    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.

    [Reply]

  39. January 23rd, 2010 | 6:25 am

    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 !

    [Reply]

  40. January 29th, 2010 | 7:13 pm

    they havent even tested the vaccine dont trust them at all!

    [Reply]

  41. February 1st, 2010 | 11:06 am

    Great post. Interesting facts. Yes there is always some kind of new story every year. Very true.

    [Reply]

  42. February 15th, 2010 | 3:46 am

    The truth is out - Swine Flu was the none event of 2009 !

    [Reply]

  43. February 24th, 2010 | 5:18 am

    Nice article. I think that it’s important to keep us informed, but not scare everyone to death!!

    [Reply]

  44. February 24th, 2010 | 7:01 am

    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.

    [Reply]

  45. February 24th, 2010 | 2:05 pm

    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) :)

    [Reply]

  46. March 7th, 2010 | 11:55 pm

    thanks for sharing your experience. be careful about swine flu

    [Reply]

  47. March 18th, 2010 | 1:03 am

    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.

    [Reply]

  48. March 21st, 2010 | 9:29 am

    Nice post…I really liked it! Thanks!

    [Reply]

  49. March 29th, 2010 | 7:47 pm

    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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  50. April 20th, 2010 | 3:34 am

    Another waste of money swine flue was a big bogus

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  51. April 26th, 2010 | 8:51 am

    Good information!its time to buckle up all your habits can keep you healthy and take precautions.Good luck.

    [Reply]

  52. April 29th, 2010 | 3:01 pm

    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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  53. May 5th, 2010 | 1:40 am

    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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  54. May 28th, 2010 | 10:26 pm

    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

    [Reply]

  55. May 29th, 2010 | 8:18 am

    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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  56. June 2nd, 2010 | 1:19 am

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  57. June 2nd, 2010 | 7:03 am

    what kind of vacation if you spend it in front of your PC???

    [Reply]

  58. June 5th, 2010 | 3:33 am

    in vacation i even dont take my cell phone

    [Reply]

  59. June 11th, 2010 | 1:23 am

    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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  60. June 29th, 2010 | 5:53 am

    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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  61. July 2nd, 2010 | 12:19 am

    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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  62. July 2nd, 2010 | 4:10 am

    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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  63. July 8th, 2010 | 8:18 am

    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

    [Reply]

  64. July 8th, 2010 | 8:19 am

    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.

    [Reply]

  65. July 8th, 2010 | 8:40 am

    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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  66. July 20th, 2010 | 2:42 am

    The second phase of Swine Flu is approaching, be cautious.

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  67. July 22nd, 2010 | 1:12 pm

    Wow… my son had swine flu.. it was bad, you don’t want it.

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  68. August 18th, 2010 | 2:22 pm

    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

    [Reply]

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