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Apr 28, 2009 -- Keeping perspective on the worldwide outbreak of swine flu
Worried about the swine flu? Clark wants to set a little perspective to calm your fears.
Back in 1918, there was a brutal influenza that followed on the tail end of World War I. At the time, 1 in 3 people on Earth got the flu. The best estimates suggest that it ultimately killed twice as many people as World War I.
The only other precedent in human history had been the Black Plague during the medieval era.
There were no medications available to treat the flu epidemic of 1918. Nor was there any real ability to do lab work and verify what illness someone had. But today we have all these capabilities.
Rewind a few days to Sunday and very few people had heard about swine flu. Suddenly, the news about it is all over the place today. There's a dangerous middle ground between having no knowledge on one hand and having constant coverage on the other hand. Remember, TV producers want to tease you to watch the next segment with headlines that can trigger fear.
So Clark's advice is to chill for now. Know that our nation will take precautions as necessary and we're in better shape than we might have been in a different era.
And when all this is over, the deals in the travel market to areas that people are afraid to visit will be amazing.
Unfortunately, Clark won't be able to answer any questions submitted via commenting. If you have a question, please try posting it to our message boards.
I'm an MPH who studies infectious diseases... from my perspective there's definitely a little too much 'hype' on the topic, especially considering that the FIRST outbreak of the swine flu dates back to around 1976 and even then we had a vaccine. The media ate the topic up then and there were numerous public service announcements on the topic. It was only because of the vast media coverage then, that our nation was saved--each person started to take the necessary precautions after the awareness that the PSAs raised 'aka panic'. Clark-- from your post you sound like you're in denial that this is an issue that calls for urgency.
And as far as the travel deals goes, 'when this is all over', it might be a while. Pandemics like this usually have several, if not many more, cycles to them. Depending on how fast the virus mutates, we may be talking years.
Delta is inflexible - what a pain
We had a wedding trip booked to Mexico on May 27. We decided due to the state department recommendations to move the wedding to Philadelphia on May 16 - the date of a previously scheduled reception. Delta will not allow us to rebook our flights without a $200.00 per person penalty - a total of $800.00. That is unfair and unkind. No more flying Delta for us.
Swine Flu and Travel...
Travel deals after this Swine Flu has had it's round-abouts? Perfect, can't wait to find a steal of a deal to Cozumel or any other wordly destination!
Flu
We have way to much NEWS coverage of everything. Ratings are everything, so they go way out on limbs that I would like to cut off. The old addage No News is Good News still applies.
I agree
I agree with both posts- from Grandpa Gene and AKlbrarian1.
Living in fear, keeps us from living.
will we all stop driving b/c someone got killed in an accidenet?
FLU OR PANIC??
I agree with Grandpa Gene.
Take care to wash your hands when you should. (We should do this anyway)
Living with fear keeps us from living.
Flu or panic???
So what. The flu might kill you if you get sick. but panic will kill a person faster due to their fear. Take your choice, Remember No one gets out of this world alive, get use to this fact and you will be alright, you just have to go out and play with your grandchildren to understand this I guess. I guess ya'll did not like my thoughts about red light camera,s and how to deal with them, all politician's are "gang members" if you really think about it.
