First bird (avian) flu, then mad cow disease, and now, the latest animal based infection has arrived! Beware the infamous swine flu! When news reports first started coming out of Mexico that people were dying of a new version of the influenza virus, people went crazy. Kids started staying home from school, whole communities shut down, and the public was gripped with fear. Now, however, the initial shock of this discovery has worn off and people are starting to demand the truth.
Swine flu is actually only a new variation of the common flu, H1N1, and “cases are [usually] described as mild. It is nowhere near as dangerous as an avian flu, H5N1, outbreak would be. This being said, it is still highly contagious and has infected a total of 55 Canadians, the highest number of which live right here in BC. So far, 19 British Columbians have contracted the virus, and “two BC schools have been closed because of swine flu concerns.” Though this may seem like a lot, there is no great need for concern. “According to the World Health Organization,” there have been “at least 10” deaths resulting from this new strain of H1N1, which is a far cry from the thousands that are killed by seasonal flu each year. No Canadians have died from the virus, and all who contracted it either recovered fine on their own, or with minor hospital assistance. The premier of BC, Gordon Campbell, admits that the public has a “legitimate reason for concern,” but taking their fear too far would be a mistake. The WHO has yet to “declare a full-blown pandemic” and appears to have no plans to do so.
It is truly amazing to me how easily the media can twist something so minor into an incredible story. Swine Flu is nothing really to worry about. In all honesty, Canadians should be more concerned about cancer and heart disease than the flu. As clearly outlined above, there is nothing for healthy Canadians to be anxious about. As long as one washes his or her hands regularly and does not have contact with anyone who has recently travelled to Mexico, the likelihood of contracting H1N1 is very slight. By using language such as “potential [global] pandemic,” and “virus spreading” the media can whip the public into a terrified frenzy and keep people glued to their television screens in fear. Everyone needs to take a deep breath, relax, and go about their lives without trepidation.
Swine flu is actually only a new variation of the common flu, H1N1, and “cases are [usually] described as mild. It is nowhere near as dangerous as an avian flu, H5N1, outbreak would be. This being said, it is still highly contagious and has infected a total of 55 Canadians, the highest number of which live right here in BC. So far, 19 British Columbians have contracted the virus, and “two BC schools have been closed because of swine flu concerns.” Though this may seem like a lot, there is no great need for concern. “According to the World Health Organization,” there have been “at least 10” deaths resulting from this new strain of H1N1, which is a far cry from the thousands that are killed by seasonal flu each year. No Canadians have died from the virus, and all who contracted it either recovered fine on their own, or with minor hospital assistance. The premier of BC, Gordon Campbell, admits that the public has a “legitimate reason for concern,” but taking their fear too far would be a mistake. The WHO has yet to “declare a full-blown pandemic” and appears to have no plans to do so.
It is truly amazing to me how easily the media can twist something so minor into an incredible story. Swine Flu is nothing really to worry about. In all honesty, Canadians should be more concerned about cancer and heart disease than the flu. As clearly outlined above, there is nothing for healthy Canadians to be anxious about. As long as one washes his or her hands regularly and does not have contact with anyone who has recently travelled to Mexico, the likelihood of contracting H1N1 is very slight. By using language such as “potential [global] pandemic,” and “virus spreading” the media can whip the public into a terrified frenzy and keep people glued to their television screens in fear. Everyone needs to take a deep breath, relax, and go about their lives without trepidation.
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