I am scratching my head here with a WTF? expression on my face.

I went to the bank yesterday to deposit a check, I’m seeing all these people wearing face masks. At first I just shook my head and internally chalked it off to people’s model of the world.

Later that day, some of my twitter friends started posting updates about the pandemic. That’s when the WTF? expression appeared.

Today, I’m seeing status updates on MySpace, and a host of postings from blogs to social networks about this new Pandemic.

I don’t know which surprises me more, the fact that the media is sensationalizing this so much or the fact that sane people are buying into the hype.

First, let me say that I think people should be cautious about this whole situation. I’m not saying that you should become careless. You should be informed and you should take the usual precautions you would during the normal flu season. And of course, at the first sign of symptoms you should consult a health professional and get the drug “Tamiflu” or some equivalent antiviral that is known to work against this new flu.

That being said, what I want to address with you is the hype and spreading fear and panic over this illness. The psychological effect of this hype.

Being in fear, panic, or any other stressful state will deplete your body of needed vitamins and natural immune fighting capabilities. If you start to worry or obsess about this situation, you are going to weaken your immune system and become even more susceptible to the infection.

I want to put this in perspective for you so you can calm down a bit.

I went to the CDC to research the normal flu season. Let me quote the stats for you as well as provide you the link to research further on your own.

“During September 30, 2007 — May 17, 2008, World Health Organization (WHO) and National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System (NREVSS) collaborating laboratories in the United States tested 225,329 specimens for influenza viruses; 39,827 (18%) were positive.”

(Source: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/weeklyarchives2007-2008/07-08summary.htm)

The current stats according to the CDC on this mutant Swine Flu are:

TOTAL COUNTS
91 cases
1 death

Okay, let’s put this in perspective shall we?

Normal flu season infections: 39,827
Current flu infections: 91

Are you seeing what I’m seeing?

Now, let’s add the deaths to the mix. According to the same source (cited above), they claim this:

“During the 2007–08 influenza season, the percentage of deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza (P&I) exceeded the epidemic threshold** for 8 consecutive weeks in the 122 Cities Mortality Reporting System during the weeks ending January 12–May 17, 2008(weeks 9–16). The percentage of P&I deaths peaked at 9.1% during the week ending March 15, 2008 (week 11). During the previous three influenza seasons, the peak percentage of P&I deaths has ranged from 7.7% to 8.9% and the total number of weeks the P&I ratio exceeded the epidemic threshold has ranged from one to 11. The P&I baseline and epidemic threshold values are projected for each season at the onset of that season and are based on data from the previous five years… “

The peak from last years flu season caused a 9.1% death rate. We have 1 death in 91 cases. That’s closing in on 1% but not quite there yet.

Okay, let’s put that in perspective again.

Death % Last Flu Season 9.1%
Death % Swine Flu Outbreak < 1%

Now, one of my twitter friends said that the reason this is such a BIG issue is because of how fast this can spread and infect people.

So, let’s look at the definitions we use for the flu.

Again, according to the CDC’s definitions:

Flu Terms Defined

Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses that causes regular outbreaks in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen.

Bird flu is commonly used to refer to Avian flu (see below). Bird flu viruses infect birds, including chickens, other poultry and wild birds such as ducks.

Avian flu (AI)is caused by influenza viruses that occur naturally among wild birds. Low pathogenic AI is common in birds and causes few problems. Highly pathogenic H5N1 is deadly to domestic fowl, can be transmitted from birds to humans, and is deadly to humans. There is virtually no human immunity and human vaccine availability is very limited.

Pandemic flu is virulent human flu that causes a global outbreak, or pandemic, of serious illness. Because there is little natural immunity, the disease can spread easily from person to person. Currently, there is no pandemic flu.

Seasonal (or common) flu is a respiratory illness that can be transmitted person to person. Most people have some immunity, and a vaccine is available.

Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses that causes regular outbreaks in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen.

Okay, I get that. We don’t have a natural immunity. Ok. But, is there a cure? YES! End of panic.

The way the media is sensationalizing this, you would think we have an unknown Plaque on our hands.

Yes, be cautious. Yes, keep yourself in top health conditions.

Yes, take some Echinacea, Zinc, Vitamin C, and Vitamin B complex to keep your immune system up to par. (I might even add Vitamin A, D, and a touch of E just as an extra precaution for myself.)

But my God people, DON’T PANIC!

It’s the flu. It has a medication that works to cure you.

Seek medical treatment if you are showing any signs of feeling ill.

Keep living your life as you normally would for gosh sakes!

STOP jumping on every media hype bandwagon! STOP buying into their sensationalism that’s only meant to sell ratings. WAKE UP and STOP being sheeple! Use your common sense for God’s sake! THINK FOR YOURSELF for a change!

And if one of my “metaphysical” or “holistic” twitter friends, promote this pandemic I’m going to unfollow them. Why? Because if you believe that you are the master of your destiny and that “The Secret” works, why would you create this illness for yourself?

I have not had the flu in over 5 years – maybe longer – because I can’t remember when’s the last time I had it. I DO NOT get flu shots. Don’t believe in them and think they do more harm than good. I’m not a germ-a-phob. I don’t sanitize the crap out of my life for fear of every known bug that walks the earth. I’m clean, but not obsessive.

Do I believe I’m going to get this flu? No! But rest assured that if I do feel sick, I’m heading to the clinic for my Tamiflu. End of story.

Stop giving energy to this situation by feeding it with the vigor the media attention is giving it.

Something to think about!

Tags: avian flu, bird flu, epidemic, flu, pandemic, swine flu