Swine Flu - A Bit of a Pig

The recent outbreak of Swine Flu has shown once again the propensity of the media to hype things up out of all proportion. When the news first broke, there was reason for real concern given the fact that a number of people in Mexico had died, and given our experience in the last few years of Bird Flu and SARS. Given the past experience of Flu Epidemics that killed millions around the globe, it was understandable that the potential for disaster should be taken seriously.

However, it soon became apparent that none of the people outside Mexico that had contracted the flu were suffering from a serious life threatening disease. It also became clear that there were specific reasons for the deaths in Mexico. Many of those who have been tracked down by the media to give interviews have appeared as they hung out of bedroom windows, to be suffering from something even less debilitating than the usual seasonal flu! Yet, the media continued for some time to play up the story as though it spelled the end of civilisation as we know it, papers like the "Sun" even ran headlines to that kind of effect. Its another example of the kind of searching after sensationalism I have referred to in previous posts.


And, it has other negative effects. The Government has now spent a considerable amount sending out leaflets to everyone warning them of the danger of Swine Flu. It has also been treating not just those who have contracted the flu, but those who have come in contact with them with Tamiflu. Why???? A number of commentators have pointed out that its more likely that the real threat from the Swine Flue will arise next Winter, when it may have mutated into a more virulent form. That is the time when people need leaflets about it, not now when they are likely to end up kin the bin, and after which people will have months to forget what they might have read. But, also why treat people with Tamiflu, for what appears to be a very mild flu? Other than those people who might be at risk due to their age, or respiratory conditions, surely it would make more sense simply to allow people to go through a mild dose of flu, thereby building up their immune system to it, and saving the Tamiflu to be used against any potential more virulent outbreak!!!

Why, because as my wife said to me the other day, the Government must be shit scared not to, because of the response that would come from that same media - particularly if someone who had not been treated were to die. Its rather like the kind of Catch 22 situation I was speaking about recently in relation to Health and Safety. But, its also similar to what I was talking about recently about the way people now expect that someone - usually the Government - will deal with any problem that they may face. Its one reason that over recent decades doctors have prescribed vast amounts of antibiotics and other drugs that were probably ineffective, but which people demanded, because they believed that any time they have some sniffle the Doctor has to have an immediate curre in the form of some drug! In fact, the consequence has been highly negative as bacteria has become increasingly resistant to the antibiotics that have been so used.

Anyway, that's the serious stuff. Now let's get all the jokes out of the way.

Apparently, all the cases have now been smoked out. Symptoms apparently include crackling in the ears, coming out in rashers, followed by the skin going streaky. Skin might also become sore due to all the scratchings, but there again it should perhaps be taken with a pinch of salt, because nearly all the patients have been cured, otherwise the doctors would have been for the chop.