Terror Flu

My heart goes out to those who have lost loved ones to the recent flu outbreak, but I have to blame the media for this “terror flu” they have created.  I just got back from the grocery store where I saw Michael Jackson look-alikes on every aisle.  What is up with the surgical masks?  I heard on the news yesterday that an online medical supply store sold out of twenty THOUSAND of them.  This is nuts!  These masks do little but create a false sense of security while you people are still sticking your dirty hands in the salad bar!

Every time I turn on the television, I am met with ominous music eerily reminiscent of Republican political commercials and James Earl Jones-like voice-overs warning me to stay tuned for the latest porcine BREAKING NEWS.  What news?  The fact that pig farmers want everyone to start referring to this outbreak as Mad COW disease?  Outside of Mexico, less than 500 people have the virus in the entire world.  Nevertheless, officials in Egypt are slaughtering the country’s entire pig population…guaranteed to end up as chops in the United States after a brief stop in China!

According to the Center for Disease Control, Each flu season is unique, but it is estimated that, on average, approximately 5% to 20% of U.S. residents get the flu, and more than 200,000 persons are hospitalized for flu-related complications each year. About 36,000 Americans die on average per year from the complications of flu. Tragically, every 60 seconds six people die in the world from AIDS.  THAT is a pandemic.  Better yet, that is a travesty.

Never missing an opportunity to politicize tragedy, take a look at Minnesota Congresswoman, Michele Bachmann’s attempt to link swine flu to the Democrats.

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She is wrong, of course.  It was during Republican Gerald Ford’s administration in 1976.  A knee jerk reaction created a vaccine that killed more people than the flu.  It was quickly scrapped…as should be Rep. Bachmann.

Please don’t get me wrong, I would never make light of illness or personal tragedy.  My exasperation is with the media and it’s “terrorization” of any phenomenon.  I’m sure there are other stories out there with mass appeal.  Lindsay Lohan wears a lo-jack.  I’m sure you can find her.  I heard Susan Boyle is getting a make-over…run, quick!  Sensationalize those stories, but leave a vulnerable public to the facts.  Just as with any flu season, be smart.  Wash your hands, be diligent, avoid people who are sick, and if you don’t feel well, seek medical attention.