It is something to get concerned with -.- This "just a virus" (the regular flu) kills over 500,000 people every year. In the US alone, it hospitalizes 200,000 people per year. The Swine Flu killed an estimated 25 to 80 million people worldwide in 1918. New strains of the flu do arise often, and it's pretty damn clear if you look at history that it always has the potential to wipe out huge numbers of people. Different strains of the flu have wiped out entire civilizations. Granted we're much more knowledgeable now, but we're by no means in control of the virus...it has the control and has the ability (and likelihood) of mutating into something we don't have treatment for.
Either way, it doesn't help to have thousands to millions of people at home sick or staying home to avoid the illness, businesses closing, schools closing, etc. during these economic times. The last thing we need right now is a pandemic, and that's precisely what we're getting. The 1918 flu outbreak, for instance, 30% of US workers had contracted the virus. A 30% sickness rate over three weeks would decrease the overall GDP by 5% (according to Wiki)...and that's a big deal. And that's just in the US, where we have a fairly structured country and access to advanced medicine. This could potentially land us with millions to billions of indirect costs. Especially in hospital costs. Then you bring up the point that there are millions of people in the US without access to affordable health care. What happens to them?
This isn't just some minor inconvenience. It has the potential, if not handled properly, to blow up directly in our faces and cause a hell of a lot more damage than it already is.
yes different strains come and some are worse than others, the truth is though, this swine flu has less of a death rate than the "normal" flu, its just easier to catch which is defintely a cause for concern if you are a toddler or senior citizen or other immune system problems... basically if you worry about catching the flu, you have a higher chance of getting it this time.. but the good news is its less deadly... As for 1918 you are right it was bad, but your also right when you say things have changed much. Also this looks nothing like that incident, the most recent scare tactic of the swine flu was in the seventies.. and if you look into it, the truth is more people got sick and died from the "vaccine" that was a complete botch, than the actual flu... only a handful died at all... This is much more similar to the instance we are seeing now, its also swine flu, and its not that bad... One of the cast of Harry Potter even had the swine flu haha, he said it was not different than any other flu he had... So really the big scare is over how easy it is to catch? Thats not a good reason to do things like they suggest as forcing vaccines (potentially deadly to some), or getting the puiblic all panicked.. If it appears it can be handled, the truth is most that die from the flu each year are also due to not being treated properly, staying home, thinking they can work it out etc. and end up with pneumonia, this is unlikely for anyone in decent health, only young vulnerable toddlers and seniors with immune and lung problems really should be most concerned. Very much blown out of proportion.
The biggest thing people need to do is stay healthy and get plenty of vitamins, nutrients and whatever is needed to boost their immune system, then try not to be exposed or expose others. That's about all you can do, no need to get all scared about it haha.
Community Forum
Topic: So this whole swine flu thing... (Read 8167 times)
October 26, 2009, 01:47:48 pm
