Swine Flu

[Jon Lyrik]

So, let's say the shit hits the fan. How fucked are we? Philadelphia 1918?

[RicochetShaw]

*sigh*

"It's been a while since SARS and the Avian Flu, so let's generate another apocalyptic pandemic scare."

[Tayzlor]

Goddamnit Jon, I just told myself I was not going to worry about this.

I'm guessing we'd be fairly fucked yeah? It has pandemicity potential..so there's that. Just grateful that there's organizations attuned to dealing and isolating this shit before it fulfills its capacity.

It's just that 2 cases were reported um, 2 counties over (like 50 miles) and suddenly I'm acting like Woody Allen in that one movie where he plays a hypochondriac.

[Tayzlor]

"It's been a while since SARS and the Avian Flu, so let's generate another apocalyptic pandemic scare."

You don't think the media would be doing a disservice to the populace by not reporting this? This possesses the potential, golly, to kill and heretofore was not such a threat.

I mean, I'm not seeing any headlines reading "FUCKING PIG FLU SPREADING AND KILLING HONEST HARDWORKING AMERICANS". It's as if by merely reporting that this threat currently exists equates the generation of a scare...if anything, the scare is self-generated by people like me (perhaps unreasonably, although there are reported cases in my state) fearful of their life.

[electriclite]

I mean, I'm not seeing any headlines reading "FUCKING PIG FLU SPREADING AND KILLING HONEST HARDWORKING AMERICANS".


Wait for it.


It looks like calm even-handed reporting now, but when news is profit driven and ratings mean money, content has to be tailored to this reality.

[someguy]

Avian Flu was definitely fear mongering, but SARS was a legitimate threat. And it looks like right now the swine flu is a legitimate threat too.

[Tayzlor]

Wait for it.


It looks like calm even-handed reporting now, but when news is profit driven and ratings mean money, content has to be tailored to this reality.

Yeah, man.

I'm as cynical as you (sure, why not?), but it actually is calm, even-handed (what a weird adjective, as I stare intently) reporting at the moment.

As mentioned, it is a genuine threat. There's probably a burgeoning eagerness to maintain the story on any editor's part as it ensures at least the readership fearful for their life, but this needs to be reported. I still think though that any widespread fear will be generated within the populace, the very people frantic over their existence.

[Homyrrh]

The WHO just declared it a public health emergency.

[Vong]

I'm supposed to be going to Vegas later this May...I dunno if this will affect my travel plans or not...:(

[outsyder]

I'm supposed to be going to Vegas later this May...I dunno if this will affect my travel plans or not...:(

Seriously?

[Jon Lyrik]

Vong, aren't you a Marxist? Why would you go to Vegas of all places?

[Vong]

Vong, aren't you a Marxist? Why would you go to Vegas of all places?

My friend invited me. He has a relative in the Vegas area that we'll be bunking at. It's on my list of things to do and to say that I've "been there, done that". And who says I would gamble? There are plenty sights and sounds to see beyond "depositing" money in the casinos. :rolleyes:

[Bourne101]

There are now six confirmed cases in Canada, four of which are people from a private school that is 20 minutes away from where I live and I have some friends and know quite a few people that go there. I guess there are well over a dozen at the school who have the symptoms, but only four have been confirmed as to having the swine flu.

[someguy]

When you die can I have your stuff?

[Reigh Kaufman]

The WHO just declared it a public health emergency.

I don't trust The Who. Last I heard, they were saying The kids are alright...

I am not ambivalent about the pandemic, but I have noticed that the news is becoming more sensationalist. Has anyone got a link to a piece of journalism that explains the situation without scaremongering?

I want to use this in a class I am going to teach about media distortion.

[Potter82]

Wait for it.


It looks like calm even-handed reporting now, but when news is profit driven and ratings mean money, content has to be tailored to this reality.

has anyone blamed Obama for this yet? Wait for it, you know it's coming and I, for one, can't wait to hear it. It's going to be a good one.

In all seriousness, maybe it's because I live near Toronto and experienced all of the SARS hype but I don't consider this a big deal - yet. Provided that the proper quarantine measures are taken and such this, like SARS, the Avian Flu, etc. shall pass. It's certainly no reason to say, Shut Down Everything
http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/uncyclopedia/images/4/4a/Pandemic_2_Madagascar.gif

Sorry, I just fucking love that graphic for some reason.

[Brando @$$ Fat]

When I first heard about this, I started thinking of a bunch of smartass comments I could use in case it ever came up conversation. But then I saw a report on it, and unlike Avian flu it doesn't sound like a bunch of manufactured fearmongering. Granted, nothing I've read about it gives me the impression that a lot of people will die from it. It was a fluke that anyone got it in the first place, since scientists thought that it couldn't infect humans.

[Cop No. 633]

Oh man, I just came back from Tijuana and I don't feel so hot. I hope I didn't catch anything from that hooker. She had a runny nose but she told me it was backwash.

[Homyrrh]

Fearmongering or not, 80-some people in Mexico died and now the US declared it a public health emergency today.

[someguy]

Guys, guys, guys...


I think we just found our solution to the Mexican drug gangs.

[BadCoverVersion]

Well there's a Canadian national in Manchester currently being tested...the news are basically saying that it's not a case of IF swine flu reaches the UK, it's more a case of when.

It is all quite a frightening prospect...am I being suckered in?

[outsyder]

At least bacon is now cheaper.

No you do not get swine flu by eating pork.

[Potter82]

Guys, guys, guys...


I think we just found our solution to the Mexican drug gangs.

"just" found, I think someone beat us to it ;) (please put on your tinfoil hats). Seriously though, Mexico is facing all kinds of trouble right now.

I must say I'm shocked at how quickly this thing has spread, in addition to cases being found in Mexico, the US, and Canada, apparently they've now discovered some cases in Spain and Scotland.

I'm still curious at to what the mortality rate of this disease is; does anyone know?

[Reigh Kaufman]

My fiancee's aunt is the administrator at the hospital where the two Scottish flu victims are...

She says the other patients are asking to be moved to a new hospital, even though the two are quarantined.

I will update you when she isn't, you know, rushed off her feet by busy media types hounding her for new developments.

[stefanb]

*sigh*

"It's been a while since SARS and the Avian Flu, so let's generate another apocalyptic pandemic scare."

You forgot Anthrax mailings, Ebola, and Flesh Eating Disease. It's a scary world out there, motherfucker.

[Homyrrh]

"just" found, I think someone beat us to it ;) (please put on your tinfoil hats). Seriously though, Mexico is facing all kinds of trouble right now.

I must say I'm shocked at how quickly this thing has spread, in addition to cases being found in Mexico, the US, and Canada, apparently they've now discovered some cases in Spain and Scotland.

I'm still curious at to what the mortality rate of this disease is; does anyone know?
It's apparently not as bad as avian flue, but more contagious.

[Badbird]

Good thing the Republicans cut out some $700 million from the stimulus package that was meant to fight possible outbreaks like this.

[Criminal Rock]

One man's pork is another man's life saving vaccination...

[Homyrrh]

Good thing the Republicans cut out some $700 million from the stimulus package that was meant to fight possible outbreaks like this.
Um, don't know about you, but I look forward to surviving during a flu-induced postapocalypse where the land is ruled by manbearpigs...

[stefanb]

Um, don't know about you, but I look forward to surviving during a flu-induced postapocalypse where the land is ruled by manbearpigs...

Lock up your kids....
http://mulaz.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/manbearpig.jpg

[countchocula]

Is it half-man/half-bearpig or is it half-bear/half-manpig?

[Homyrrh]

"It is a creature which roams the Earth alone. It is half-man, and half-bear, and half-pig."

On a similar note, the actual message behind the episode (from season 10, check it on southparkstudios.com), is quite appropriate for this thread.