Comments on: We’re All Gonna Die!!

By: Pugsley

Pugsley — Sun, 03 May 2009 02:00:36 +0000

I just really like to wear surgical masks. Don’t ruin this for me Joe.

Any reason, no matter how overly mischaracterized or overblown, that allows me to get out my mask and wear it in public is a good reason.

It’s like if there were a Back To The Future pandemic I’d be wearing my red, puffy life-preserver vest right now.

By: GuyFromOhio

GuyFromOhio — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 03:47:52 +0000

Nice swine photo.

By: Joe Rybicki

Joe Rybicki — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 15:38:15 +0000

It sounds much more dramatic: “THOU HAST CONTRACTED THE SWINE FLU!”

By: Adam Coronado

Adam Coronado — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 15:33:40 +0000

Dude, why not “Pig Flu”? Do people just think “swine” is more fun to say? Feels archaic to me…

By: Joe Rybicki

Joe Rybicki — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 00:57:00 +0000

Good points. I agree that this is of course a real concern for rural Mexicans, but I think that supports my point: If there were more deaths (which would seem at least unexplained to them) we would have heard about them. These folks aren’t just going to ignore it. Therefore, even if the flu itself is more widespread than we think, the mortality rate isn’t as high as initial reports appear.

And I also agree that we are overdue for a flu pandemic — but if you look at the way some folks (and media outlets) are responding, it makes it sound as though swine flu has 100-percent mortality! If you look back at what happened in the last significantly fatal pandemic (Spanish flu around 1918 if memory serves), a large part of the mortality was due to secondary infections, which we have the means to fight today. I’m not saying it’s not a widespread flu, I’m just saying it’s not as life-threatening as the media wants us to think.

Really, my point is simply this: Keep your eyes on the dealer. Count the count.

By: Michael Ventresca

Michael Ventresca — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 00:18:24 +0000

A well done piece Joe. I do have a couple thoughts that I’d like to run by you.

First, your point about numbers is well taken, but I think they may be a bit off. I believe the 1600 cases have come from Mexico City, which has a population of 18 million. Still, if my calculator is working that gives us a ratio of 8.8888888888888888e-5 – which I think is small. A ha – but larger than your number!

Secondly, while again I would agree that much of Mexico is rural and/or poor, given the people of Mexico’s response, I must assume this is a real concern for them. When in Rome you know? If those who are accustomed to poor healthcare consider this a big deal..well, maybe this is different than normal Mexican flu.

Finally, we’ve heard for some time that as a people, we are overdue for a flu pandemic. Couple that with the information age where we can so quickly track this thing to all these points on the globe and you’ve got a recipe for concern…but I would say that this concern may be rational.

But then again, I haven’t had a chance to watch CNN today. Maybe they’ve got John King going crazy with genomes on his crazy Minority Report Admiral Ackbar XT-490 thing. That would be sweet.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that I’m off to go buy my Tiger Wood’s signature Nike swooshed virus blocking mask, but I’m not about to go streaking on a Mexican soccer pitch either.

Okay, joe. Let me have it…