My perspective on this little piggy!

I get that everyone is worried about this little piggy who has gone to flu. Stuff that you don't know about is sometimes scary. A little voice inside me tells me I should maybe worry a little bit more, but I just can't do it. I'm aware...hows that? Here are some numbers to ponder before I add my 2 cents.

40 people in the US have been infected by the Swine Flu (just looked on CDC website).

From the World Health Organization
27 April 2009 -- The current situation regarding the outbreak of swine influenza A(H1N1) is evolving rapidly. As of 27 April 2009, the United States Government has reported 40 laboratory confirmed human cases of swine influenza A(H1N1), with no deaths. Mexico has reported 26 confirmed human cases of infection with the same virus, including seven deaths. Canada has reported six cases, with no deaths, while Spain has reported one case, with no deaths. (This is a LOT different than all the news people are reporting, but whatever, maybe WHO is slow, they are global after all. CNN is says a "Mexican health Official is reporting as many as 149 deaths MAY have been caused by this flu - MAY is a good month, yeah? No?)

Also according to the CDC the 'other' flu (they call it seasonal), on AVERAGE, kills 36,000 people a year (did you see that comma, it was NOT an accident).

That should be enough stats for you, right? Alright, my perspective is this...

• 40 people...in the US, huh? Guess what, there were 85 people that called in and used sick time today from MY office (of about 400ish staff). No they probably weren't ALL sick...maybe someone need to pick up some pork for dinner, or get their oil changed. Whatever. These numbers were from a very reliable source...of which if she decides can claim the info. :)
• People haven't died in the US yet, because, even if everyone doesn't have health insurance...you can get into a reasonable doctor and they tell you to go home and rest and drink plenty of fluids (not the margarita kind). Now, I've never been to the hospital in Mexico, but my brother has. They charged him $6000 to remove his appendix and when he came home his real doctor did an ultrasound to make sure everything was good...turns out they also charged him a kidney. It's alright, they left him the right one. The ones that can't afford to see a doctor, probably haven't been on vacation to Mexico.
• 36 THOUSAND (shouting on purpose) people in the US DIE (yep, more shouting) of the seasonal flu...and there are 40 sick with the piggy one.

I'm pretty sure you get me, right? Now, I'm going to have a discussion with my kid about washing her hands, not touching her face and to stop making out with that kid that just got home from spring break in Cancun - he's a dirtbag anyway.

Enjoy your day...and don't forget your face mask, rubber gloves and antibacterial when you go to town tonight.