Media Hysteria
4/30/09
While I generally try to stay away from politics and inflammatory opinions on this blog, I feel an obligation to comment on all the negative press Mexico has received within the past year. Between the reported drugs, violence and now the swine flu, Mexico has certainly gotten a bad rap in the media which has negatively affected countless people in this country.
On the ground here in Mexico, we are confounded by the latest news of the swine flu “pandemic”. While our sympathies go out to the families who have lost people to this strain of the flu, we cannot help but feel there is a mass hysteria going on worldwide. Perhaps it is in part that we have only watched the news media a few times in the last five months. Perhaps we have lost the ability to be spun into a frenzy by the latest crisis. But it seems that it is just that – the latest crisis, the latest fear pressed into our doughy minds by the omnipresent CNN and FOX News, not to mention the numerous other media outlets. Even Google has started tracking flu cases based on the number of “swine flu” searches in an area, which is possibly the most dubious and ridiculous method of tabulation I have ever heard of. Ten bucks says New York City will soon be one of the top swine flu centers, because, you guessed it, a lot of people live there with access to the brilliant Google search engine on their home and work computers.
According to the Mexican health authorities, as of Thursday, there have been 12 confirmed deaths from the swine flu (H1N1). The remainder of the 176 fatalities in Mexico are only suspected to be the H1N1 virus. Over 547 samples have been tested and efforts have been increased to be able to process 65 samples every six hours. Along those lines, I think a few statistics are in order. The “regular” flu virus causes at least 36,000 deaths a year in the United States and over 250,000 worldwide, and gasp, is spread like the swine flu can be, from person to person. Automobile accidents are responsible for almost 40,000 fatalities annually within the U.S. alone. Worldwide, cancer kills 550,000, measles 750,000, and tuberculosis falls 2 to 3 million per year. Heck, an average of 67 people die each year from lightning strikes. An unfortunate part of life is death. But does that mean we live our lives in a state of panic and evasion? Do we not go outside because it is raining? Should we avoid sun, meat, hot tea, alcohol and barbequed foods because they have been linked to cancer? Do we avoid showers in case we slip on the soap and die from a head injury? Sure, some of us do, but the majority of people live their life with calculated risk. Even others possess the knowledge that life is uncertain and even when we think we are in control, we are not. That being said, I am not advocating living life without regard to danger, illness, disease or risk factors. But I am in favor of common sense, personal judgment and enjoying the life we have been blessed with.
The Mexican government response has been mostly exemplary. Everyone here in Mexico seems quite calm and responsive. Many folks are wearing masks and heeding the urging of the president and health authorities to stay inside this weekend if ill to avoid spreading the virus. There are mobile health clinics testing and treating people with symptoms. However, I do feel that the media panic response has created some unnecessary reactions. Closing non-essential services and schools is a good cautious measure, but closing restaurants and businesses reeks of a knee-jerk reaction. Having businesses closed has an enormous impact on everyone, not only the business owners and the employees, but also the vendors who sell the newspapers, snacks and sundry items to those on the way to work. The trickle down effect of these closures is immediate, phenomenal and has very negative consequences for people who depend on this daily “wage”. The government has also closed the archeological sites, which seems outrageous since archeological sites are huge open-air attractions, albeit processing thousands of people and pesos per day. The rumors of border-closings and grounded flights spark fear in my heart. I mean, are we just steps away from house arrest?
It’s the flu. The FLU, which people contract and survive every year. Certainly in world history, the flu virus has been a widespread pandemic. The Spanish flu of 1918, Asian flu of 1957 and the Hong Kong flu of 1968 all caused major fatalities worldwide. But with each subsequent epidemic the flu virus was better understood and controlled with vaccines, information and prevention. Yes, the flu can be transmitted from person to person, as can the common cold, tuberculosis, pink eye and many other infections. Yes, the flu virus can kill. But should we panic at the report of a swine flu outbreak? Should we ban all travel to Mexico? Should we forbid trips to Africa because the AIDS virus has raged virtually unchecked there? Do we stop worldwide travel since it is the main reason cited for the rise of TB infection? It seems we all need to step back and exercise some common sense. Be cautious, live your life with reason and care; but live well and fully, in the sun and air rather than the dubious safety of your living room.
If we are to believe the media, life in Mexico is rampant with violence, drugs and disease. While all of those things exist here, they also exist in the country you live in and most likely within your own community. We have found Mexico to be quite different than the country depicted in the news media and will be sad to leave this safe, beautiful land, its generous, magnanimous people and a government committed to the preservation and continuation of both.
Thanks for this timely and well articulated post, mama.
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Ladies,
Stick with travel and leave health to the professionals!
J
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Huh??
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I can only say, Thank you so very much for this. I am just about to get rid of my television and my newspaper, and move to beautiful Mexico. The media has gone crazy as of late, and I don't need to subject myself to all this negativity. Life is beautiful - most people are beautiful - and those who aren't will either grow, or disappear and come back in another life to start over. Thank you again. You are just wonderful! Andal
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Well written blog. I agree 100%. mass media has created a near panic . Just live your life to fullest. If you are not living on the edge you are taking up too much room.
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Well put! Thank you. This blog should be shared with the entire nation.
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