Tuesday, April 28, 2009

An Epidemic of Stupidity

And so our love-hate relationship with the media continues. The latest flare-up: Swine Flu.

To me, this is totally ridiculous. "AHHH! A new strain of flu! Not caused by eating pork or pork-related products! Like the regular flu, but with a swanky name! AAHHH! Close the borders! Stop eating tortilla chips! Throw out your salsa! No Mexican food for a month!"

Granted, I have not read many articles on the craze. And this is not because they aren't available. Every newspaper in the country is headlining stories about swine flu, its deadly toll, and what precautions everyone should take.

100 people or so have died so far! In Mexico! According to the NY Times, it is estimated that the regular seasonal flu kills close to 40,000 people in the U.S. each year.

Helpful hints from a regular mom fighting germs on a daily basis:
  • WASH YOUR HANDS
  • DON'T LICK THE FLOOR OR EAT THINGS OFF OF IT
  • COVER YOUR MOUTH WHEN YOU COUGH
  • AVOID EATING YOUR OR ANYONE ELSE'S BOOGERS
oh, and
  • TURN OFF THE TELEVISION, PUT DOWN THE NEWSPAPER AND GO OUTSIDE AND ENJOY THE BEAUTIFUL WEATHER

4 comments:

Lori said...

The only thing more annoying than the media's obsession with swine flu? The constant stream of non-funny Facebook updates about it. Seriously, people, move on.

A's Mom said...

That's exactly what it is... stupidity. I totally agree with going outside and enjoying the sunshine (unless of course you're in the NE and suffering from allergies).

Stamford Talk said...

Heh heh!
Funny post.

Stephanie said...

Seriously... I'm thinking it falls under the Y2K heading... maybe an economic stimulus plan? If they freak everyone out enough and each person stockpiles enough water and canned soup for the duration, would that inject enough money into the economy to keep everything afloat?

Swine Flu is definitely not for the thinkers.