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.
[Reply]
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]
As what they say prevention is better than cure. We must be extra careful about the swine flu virus that kills many people.
[Reply]
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.
[Reply]
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]
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.
[Reply]
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.
[Reply]
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]
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]
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]
Nice and interesting article, thank you.
Please keep on blogging !
Best regards !
[Reply]
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.
[Reply]
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.
[Reply]
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.
[Reply]
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
[Reply]
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.
[Reply]
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]
Meida abuse feelings os citizens overreacting towards incidents
[Reply]
Nice and interesting article, thank you.
Please keep on blogging !
[Reply]
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]
Well, always be care about swine flu.I always do care.
[Reply]
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]
thanks for your information
[Reply]
Thanks for this great article, i really like it! Nina
[Reply]
Nice article, i really like it! Thanks! Nils
[Reply]
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]
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]
Nice article. I think that it’s important to keep us informed, but not scare everyone to death!!
[Reply]
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]
Give them an inch and they will take a mile. This is how they get their ratings. They especially love hurricane season.
[Reply]
nice post… i like this informative information of …. more post please…
[Reply]
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]
Swine flu was and still is over-hyped.
[Reply]
Care about swine flu……i do care…..
[Reply]
Swine flu is a dangerous disease. but truly speaking the media has made it over hyped..
[Reply]
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]
I wish a Happy New Year 2010
[Reply]
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]
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]
they havent even tested the vaccine dont trust them at all!
[Reply]
Great post. Interesting facts. Yes there is always some kind of new story every year. Very true.
[Reply]