Why do people panic over swine flu?
By nympha687
@nympha687 (940)
United States
April 27, 2009 10:56pm CST
I don't get it. Why do people panic over the swine flu? In my country, people are already wearing masks when there is not even an incident of swine flu yet.
I'd like to quote the statement from CDC(Center for Disease Control and Prevention):
"People don’t need to worry about eating or preparing pork. Swine influenza viruses are not spread by food. Eating properly handled and cooked pork products is safe."
" Health authorities in some countries recommend the use of oseltamivir (Tamiflu) or zanamivir (Relenza) for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with these swine influenza viruses. These antiviral drugs are prescription medicines such as pills, liquids or inhalers that fight against the flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in your body. If you get sick anti-viral drugs cam make your illness milder and can make you feel better faster. Antiviral drugs work best if started soon after being sick specifically within 2 days of symptoms. . They may also prevent serious flu complications."
" There is no vaccine available right now to protect against swine flu. There are everyday actions that people can take that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza. Take these everyday steps to protect your health. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. Wash your hands often with soap and water especially when you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective. Try to avoid close contact with sick people. If you get sick with influenza, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. Avoid touching their eyes, nose or mouth because germs can spread that way."
So why worry?
2 people like this
11 responses
@matersfish (6306)
• United States
30 Apr 09
Hysteria is the most contagious disease in the history of the world. It's herd behavior.
For all our intelligence, most of us are still incapable of thinking for ourselves once we stop being individuals and start being a "people."
There are examples of this all the time. The Who in Cincinnati. Street Riots. America hatred. And the list goes on and on.
@wisconsin26 (3859)
• United States
29 Apr 09
Well to me it's pretty simple why people would panic over this.. The news had said that people were dying from this. Than two days later they say it could of been from something else.. The news don't always get there facts straight.. When I heard about this yes i was scared knowing that people could die if they got this virus, how ever now days later new news have been reported.. The flu maybe the flu but there is more to this flu than others that's where the being careful comes in.. If your sick in don't matter of what you need medical attention.. Well except for a headache or something in that sort when you know what it is... But Personally I think it had alot to do with people dying from this flu but it all comes down to the fact they weren't getting the medical attention instead being sent home.. Now there is something wrong if that is happening.. My personal option!
@lingli_78 (12822)
• Australia
29 Apr 09
well i think people panic because they are afraid that it will become pandemic... it is in the news everywhere and people already die and get sick from it... so i think it is just fair if people become panic... even here, the government also doing what they can to protect us from getting the disease... take care and have a nice day...
@DarthJustice (2014)
• United States
29 Apr 09
I'm not really panicking about all of this either. Not as to say I haven't been following it closely but I'm not panicking. I've just been doing what the CDC has suggested to do even though so far there have been no reported cases here in my state.
@prinzcy (32305)
• Malaysia
29 Apr 09
I think it's natural to be panic, especially to things that they don't really understand. It's like those time when they hear rumor (that's right, only rumor) that certain product's price will rise, they storm the market, supermarket or wherever that sell the product and bought excessively. As the result, there were shortage and of course, some greedy merchant will raise the price.
Swine flu hasn't spread here but I do take necessary precaution (no, I don't wear mask) Hygiene is important and we just stay alert for latest announcement.
@globetrotter1 (94)
• Ireland
28 Apr 09
People panic because they are reminded that we- humans- cannot control everything and we are not master of everything. Nature is tremendously powerful and reminds us so every once in a while. There is still a lot to be learned and researched, and despite all scientific advances nature tends to find a way to demonstrate to us that we are a part of it, not some controlling force outside of it.
@kcbomba (616)
• United States
28 Apr 09
Whao! Bird flu, now Swine flu - is that the latest scourge?Why on earth is these negative phenomenoms arising, anyways? new
sicknesses/ailments/diseases to combat with,by the day - why?Who/what is really responsible for all these scourges . Back then in just 1999 or
earlier,there was nothing of this sort ( Hurricane this and that, lnfluenza this
and that,etc. ) . What's really happening to our world?One thing remains certain here: if we don't know the source of all these problems ,we can barely know the solution!
Well-meaning individuals, the governments,NGOs,etc. should brace up to this
challenge, hence, our globe crash .
Not even talking about the so-called controversal 'global meltdown' .
Thank you .
@rsa101 (38166)
• Philippines
28 Apr 09
I guess people are starting this because the way the news are reported on the TV and Radio seems like the transmission is not anymore from animal to human but from human to human already that is most alarming since it can easily spread. Yesterday the news only was reporting it from Mexico and some parts of US. But just last night and early this morning there are reports already coming from different parts of the world like Europe. So it means that transmission is very easy already.
For now our country is not yet a victim of this virus but we are most likely the next victim if the health authorities are not aware of it. So far no problem whatsoever, I just hope we could remain scot free from all of these flu menace just like the bird flu attack we were able to be a bird flu free country even till now.
@momtrying2makeit (3270)
• United States
28 Apr 09
I agree with you but I feel we do need to be informed of what is going on around us. I tend to not watch the news myself but I get a lot of my news from online sources and my mom, thanks mom :) Anyway I hope this will pass and for me even if the pork meat could not spread it I myself will be staying away from the pork for awhile. You never really know? Take care and happy mylotting to you as well. 
@rebelmel (1386)
• United States
28 Apr 09
Everyone has been panicking because of how much it has been on the news. The flu is the flu to me. You can get violently ill from any kind of flu, and if you don't take care of yourself, the results can be fatal. I am not sure why everyone sees this flu differently than other ones. You just need to take care of yourself and be clean! If you get symptoms of the flu - see a doctor. Its easy as that! I agree, there is too much panic over this.
@Effusive (156)
• United States
28 Apr 09
I am not sure why people are panicking. I guess this is how some people cope with seeing it on the news. I am not worried as long as you are doing all the things that they said on the news. Not to mention that these are things that should be done all the time. No matter if we have some crazy kind of circus out there or not. Some people are just paranoid. I am not worried at all, I am having my kids wash their hands more often as they go to school and play outside way more than I do. I am also a adult so I stay away from sick people. Kids do not do that though unless they are just germ a phobic. Sorry did not mean to offend anyone as I am a germ a phobic and proud of it. I really thing that there is no reason to worry, it is just another thing that will pass us by. Just head the CDC warnings that is all but do not get out of control with it. Wearing mask is just a little much. Can you imagine if everyone were to start wearing them when there really is no need? LOL :)
Happy Posting
