Photo: Ryan Remiorz/AP
In case you haven’t heard, there’s a global panic, er, we mean pandemic, called swine flu. Or, at least it was called swine flu until the name was changed to protect the innocent. (Pigs, that is.) It’s now going by the clunky but nonoffensive title of influenza A (H1N1). Thankfully, we’re all clear on one fact: You can’t get swine flu from eating pork.
Unfortunately, when people start to panic, facts are hard to come by. On Twitter, which has been heralded as a hub for so-called citizen journalists, not every post tagged “#swineflu” contained information that was accurate, or even worth reading. People using the Twitter search engine to find answers may not have been employing the soundest judgment.
But even the professional media was responsible for creating a bit of a scare. As one Huffington Post blogger observed, a few headlines reading “Death Toll Rising” can lead the innocent news consumer to feel like “there’s a plague on.”
And while there have been comparisons to the flu epidemic of 1918, suggesting that influenza A might be the next Spanish influenza, we won’t help ourselves by giving in to hysteria. Still, a trait shared by the two viruses is that they start out mild. Spanish influenza eventually got worse, and influenza A has that potential.
In short: We can’t stop paying attention. Somewhere in between panic and ignorance is a happy medium.
That’s why we decided to find five sites with reliable, accurate and comprehensive information about swine flu. Get all your questions answered about how the disease started, why it’s a concern, what the symptoms are and how swine flu affects travel. The only thing the article won’t tell you is where you can buy a surgical mask.
Rachel Balik
Senior Writer
cute pig! i don't want swine flu and i don't want to eat that pig because he is cute.
Posted by: Kiera | May 01, 2009 at 05:37 PM
Colonial Medical Supplies just received new shipment of 3M N95 Masks. All of our distributors are already out of stock. Once current stock is sold any additional shipments will be delayed. Masks can be purchased at any one of our 3 retail locations or online at www.colonialmed.com
Posted by: Dharmendra | May 01, 2009 at 07:40 PM
My brother in california is sick but its not swine.
get a load of this scary Report.
http://forecastfortomorrow.com/Files/swineflu.pdf
Posted by: jim jacks | May 01, 2009 at 10:59 PM
I hope all of this doesn't get out of hand! Great article with good information though.
Posted by: Twin XL | May 05, 2009 at 10:54 PM
a lot of information. thanks.
Posted by: Cyber Rainbow | June 14, 2009 at 05:24 PM
Actually, you can get swine flu from eating meat if it isn't properly cooked. But you're correct - as long as the meat has been properly prepared, pork isn't the way to catch swine flu. As for it getting out of hand, I'm pretty sure it's already out of hand. The disease has reached pandemic status, and really has everyone in a panic. Everyone be careful, and wash your hands frequently!
Posted by: How To Prevent Flu | July 10, 2009 at 01:28 PM
"Somewhere in between panic and ignorance is a happy medium." Good advice!
Posted by: N95 Respirator | July 17, 2009 at 02:17 PM