I've been following the various reports of a swine flu outbreak. The information about the situation either suggests that it's a sign of the end of the world or maybe you should just wash your hands a little more.
Part of the problem appears to be a disagreement among various governments and health agencies about the outbreak. It sounds like the Obama administration wants people not to worry, while reacting as if the flu is going to become a big problem. Part of this may be a chance to evaluate our country's response to a pandemic but it does seem to be a bit of a mixed message.
Images play a big role in our perception of this situation. No matter how reassuring a message we receive from an expert, the sight of people walking around with surgical masks covering their faces, strikes a cord of fear inside.
Other than having watched a few episodes of House and ER, my medical knowledge is limited. I hope the swine flu does not claim many lives. But I fear that the panic related to the news of a potential pandemic may be worse than the flu itself.
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