In Retaliation

The swine flu has 10 confirmed deaths according to the WHO website which is updated daily.  10 deaths as of May 1st, 2009. It is true they are still testing cases and the number will probably rise.  Influenza viruses kill thousands every year.  Why was this one so hyped?  Something to do with Mexico maybe?  Perhaps a good scare will help our legislators pass some desired laws that aren’t appetizing to a confident citizenry.  

I absolutely despise fear mongering.  There is something within each of us that just can’t resist it though.  I love a piece of gossip that puts people on edge.  I just wish people would take news reports with the same grain of salt they would a piece of gossip.  Remember FDR’s sage advice “the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”  A frightened populace is the most malleable kind.  I don’t think you should ignore warnings completely.  However you should treat the news reporter prophesying the end of the world the same as you would the long haired old man with a sandwich board.

Here is the link to WHO.  WHO | Influenza A(H1N1) – update 7

This entry was posted on May 2, 2009 at 3:38 pm and is filed under community, politics with tags delusions, fear. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.