What Has Gone Wrong With This Country?

[goofyernmost]

Have we all become a herd of whining, cowardly cattle? Are we all so easily lead that a media blitz can completely rob us of any common sense or ability to think on our own?

I am referring, of course, to the recent outbreak of Swine Flu mania. I cannot understand the obvious triggering of OCD caused by the fact that FOX, CNN and other 24 hour a day news networks have to fill a lot of time. I don't know how this flu thing is going to end up but I am not close to prepared to panic at this point. 50, 100, 200 or 1000's of cases in a population of Millions is not even a pinpoint. More people are killed by deranged people in 4 hours then by anything that the flu has thrown at us.

What happened to adults, clear thinking adults, that can look at a situation and evaluate it, determine the risks and likelihood and then take a plan of action to protect themselves (if necessary)? Is it just easier to take the word of a group of entertainment trained, on air personalities to determine the degree of panic we all should or shouldn't feel?

So like a bunch of Lemmings we all march off the cliff of insanity all the while muttering "I'm going to die". FOX said so!

 

[Nie0214]

As a social psych study, I think I should go to work today wearing a "swine flu mask" that does absolutely nothing, just to see the response.

 

[Cantw8]

so should I cancel the bubble suit I ordered

 

[Philagoofy]

For years the media has people here in my area running to the grocery store to stock up on milk, bread & toilet paper because a "MAJOR" storm is coming. Then it snows 3", most of the major streets are cleared away within a day & people can usually get around just fine even on the smaller streets. But every year, same thing.

 

[Todd&Copper]

I, for one, was happy to see the Wall Street Journal did not have the Swine Flu Pandemic as a lead front page story yesterday.

I just cannot get all worked up about it. I am in good health and wash my hands often throughout the day. I don't routinely interact with poor people who lack access to soap, water and medical care. Sorry, but I am just not getting freaked out or even just a little bit worried about it.

My DH was in Toronto, Canada during the SARS scare. He saw very few people wearing those surgical masks, but by and large people were just going about their day. He made sure to wash his hands frequently, especially before eating, and avoid someone if the appeared ill, but that was about it. You just have to be sensible.

 

[Cantw8]

For years the media has people here in my area running to the grocery store to stock up on milk, bread & toilet paper because a "MAJOR" storm is coming. Then it snows 3", most of the major streets are cleared away within a day & people can usually get around just fine even on the smaller streets. But every year, same thing.

come on...3 inches in Philly is a major snowstorm

 

[2Kds2K9]

I agree with OP. I just said to my DH this morning, "what am I missing about all this?" Seems to me that every year 36,000 people die from "regular flu" and it doesn't make the national news. From what I've read and heard, if you follow the same precautions that you are suppose to on a day-to-day basis, you should be fine. Also, if you get it, Tamiflu and Relenza will help.

I guess there is just nothing else to report on. People are tired of hearing about the poor economy and just needed something new to worry about.

Is is just the fact that it has an ominous name that people are fearful?

I just don't get the panic.

 

[dismom2]

Have we all become a herd of whining, cowardly cattle? Are we all so easily lead that a media blitz can completely rob us of any common sense or ability to think on our own?

I am referring, of course, to the recent outbreak of Swine Flu mania. I cannot understand the obvious triggering of OCD caused by the fact that FOX, CNN and other 24 hour a day news networks have to fill a lot of time. I don't know how this flu thing is going to end up but I am not close to prepared to panic at this point. 50, 100, 200 or 1000's of cases in a population of Millions is not even a pinpoint. More people are killed by deranged people in 4 hours then by anything that the flu has thrown at us.

What happened to adults, clear thinking adults, that can look at a situation and evaluate it, determine the risks and likelihood and then take a plan of action to protect themselves (if necessary)? Is it just easier to take the word of a group of entertainment trained, on air personalities to determine the degree of panic we all should or shouldn't feel?

So like a bunch of Lemmings we all march off the cliff of insanity all the while muttering "I'm going to die". FOX said so!

I don't know anybody who is freaking out. People have a right to their own opinions and comfort zones anyway. Terrible things have happened in history, so it's not like nothing terrible could ever happen again. I think it's just as bad when people make fun of people who are being overly cautious, when they really have no idea what the future holds, either. Maybe some people would rather be safe than sorry---who cares? People are free to have their own opinions in America. I'm not too worried myself, but I don't have a problem with other people worrying---for one thing, maybe clueless people will learn a thing or two about how not to spread their sick germs around. I can't tell you how many people don't cover their mouths when they sneeze, don't wash their hands, go to school, work, and everywhere else when they are sick--with no concern at all to if they are contaminating a ton of other people... I think this whole situation has been interresting---- talking about other aspects...but that's another story.

If it weren't for the media, I would not know about how the Swine Flu Vaccine killed and caused neurological diseases in so many people in the 70's. I don't believe everything I read, but I do my research and make my own decisions.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Have we all become a herd of whining, cowardly cattle? Are we all so easily lead that a media blitz can completely rob us of any common sense or ability to think on our own?

I am referring, of course, to the recent outbreak of Swine Flu mania. I cannot understand the obvious triggering of OCD caused by the fact that FOX, CNN and other 24 hour a day news networks have to fill a lot of time. I don't know how this flu thing is going to end up but I am not close to prepared to panic at this point. 50, 100, 200 or 1000's of cases in a population of Millions is not even a pinpoint. More people are killed by deranged people in 4 hours then by anything that the flu has thrown at us.

What happened to adults, clear thinking adults, that can look at a situation and evaluate it, determine the risks and likelihood and then take a plan of action to protect themselves (if necessary)? Is it just easier to take the word of a group of entertainment trained, on air personalities to determine the degree of panic we all should or shouldn't feel?

So like a bunch of Lemmings we all march off the cliff of insanity all the while muttering "I'm going to die". FOX said so!

I guess you don't watch Stephen Colbert or SouthPark. Not everyone is a "lemming". I could say something about the audience of FOX however we can't discuss that.

 

[legalsea]

The entire Fort Worth school district has closed down, effective today (April 30th) until at least end of next week. All due to one person within the county having tested positive for the 'swine flu'.

I imagine that the powers that be within the school system have concluded that they would rather close down the schools and so protect their behinds, rather than let the schools stay open and, possibly, be exposed to a law suit such there be an outbreak at a school and a child die. I think a lot of what is happening are officials around the country trying to protect themselves from future suits.

I also imagine that there will be parents suing the Fort Worth school district anyway, claiming that since their child was not in school they (the parents) had to arrange for a sitter or such, or said parent(s) had to stay home from work and so lost earnings.

 

[dismom2]

I, for one, was happy to see the Wall Street Journal did not have the Swine Flu Pandemic as a lead front page story yesterday.

I just cannot get all worked up about it. I am in good health and wash my hands often throughout the day. I don't routinely interact with poor people who lack access to soap, water and medical care. Sorry, but I am just not getting freaked out or even just a little bit worried about it.

My DH was in Toronto, Canada during the SARS scare. He saw very few people wearing those surgical masks, but by and large people were just going about their day. He made sure to wash his hands frequently, especially before eating, and avoid someone if the appeared ill, but that was about it. You just have to be sensible.

I wash my hands all the time. In fact,I'm a bit of a germaphobe so I am very careful, and try to avoid sick people all the time, but it doesn't matter---I still catch things. When I am at work, I can't help when people hack and cough all over me and don't cover their mouths. And I don't think it has anything to do with interacting with "poor people". I live and work in an upper middle class neighborhood, but hey....everyone goes to the grocery store, businesses, gas stations.... I consider myself sensible, but that doesn't mean you can trust other people to be. Some people truly don't care if they make other people sick. Their kids are not kept or taught to be clean and don't keep them home when they are sick. A lot of people just don't care.

 

[Jennasis]

I agree. It's THE FLU folks...not the black plague.

 

[TTFN]

I imagine that the powers that be within the school system have concluded that they would rather close down the schools and so protect their behinds, rather than let the schools stay open and, possibly, be exposed to a law suit such there be an outbreak at a school and a child die. I think a lot of what is happening are officials around the country trying to protect themselves from future suits.

I also imagine that there will be parents suing the Fort Worth school district anyway, claiming that since their child was not in school they (the parents) had to arrange for a sitter or such, or said parent(s) had to stay home from work and so lost earnings.

I think the point of closing the schools is to slow the spread of the illness. If the kids who are sick (and may not yet have symptoms) don't spread it, this whole thing will end much faster. It is inconvenient, but kids can be inconvenient.

 

[Todd&Copper]

I wash my hands all the time. In fact,I'm a bit of a germaphobe so I am very careful, and try to avoid sick people all the time, but it doesn't matter---I still catch things. When I am at work, I can't help when people hack and cough all over me and don't cover their mouths. And I don't think it has anything to do with interacting with "poor people". I live and work in an upper middle class neighborhood, but hey....everyone goes to the grocery store, businesses, gas stations.... I consider myself sensible, but that doesn't mean you can trust other people to be. Some people truly don't care if they make other people sick. Their kids are not kept or taught to be clean and don't keep them home when they are sick. A lot of people just don't care.

Fine, I'll take it back and eat a great big hunk of crow when I come down with the Swine Flu after beaing sensible and reasonable.
Until then, I refuse to buy into the media frenzy and will just contine to wash my hands and avoid visibly sick people. And the reason I singled out "poor people" [which, by the way, to me isn't gas station attendants or grocery clerks] is b/c they do not have the same access to soap and water as the rest of us. I really don't think the dirty hobos on the streets and in the parks wash their hands even once a day, while I'd venture to guess the rest of us do [although maybe not after we go to the bathroom re: another thread. . . .].

 

[legalsea]

I think the point of closing the schools is to slow the spread of the illness. If the kids who are sick (and may not yet have symptoms) don't spread it, this whole thing will end much faster. It is inconvenient, but kids can be inconvenient.

Yes, but we have flu that rampages through the school system every year. I mean, I KNOW the point of closing the schools: avoid spread, and avoid lawsuits.

 

[onelilspark]

For years the media has people here in my area running to the grocery store to stock up on milk, bread & toilet paper because a "MAJOR" storm is coming. Then it snows 3", most of the major streets are cleared away within a day & people can usually get around just fine even on the smaller streets. But every year, same thing.

Sooooo funny story: when I was in my college Econ class and they were explaining the concept of supply & demand (one of the first classes of the year, obv.) The Professor asked "For example, if there's a major snowstorm predicted, what are the things that people run out to the stores and buy?" Now, I went to school in the Chicago area where Lake Effect snow was common, but grew up in the Philly area...so I raised my hand, because this answer was so obvious and I said, "Bread and milk." The entire class turned and stared at me. The Professor, who had a lot of tact said, "well I'm sure they buy that too, but that's not what I was looking for...anyone else?" What was he looking for? Shovels and rock salt...oh.

 

[RangerPooh]

Not panicking here either. I just go about my day waching my hands a little more often, that's all. I work with kids so of course they cough, sneeze, and have germs that some how get spread to me. Go figure teaching and germy kids Anyways, DH is a concerned person as he doesn't want our girls to get anything. So he's asked that we keep our oldest out of pre-school for a while.

I can understand when someone is acting cautiously, but it isn't time to act studpid. People need to just be aware of their hygene and cleanliness. Tkae wipes with you to the market to clean the cart handle if there isn't one, etc. I'd ratehr be a little cautious than oblivious. As for who will spread it. I think that we will see it cross socio-economic barriers as anotehr poster was right, we all shop, go to the doctor, and get gas. People apread germs regardless of their SES. Now I can see how some people who might demonstrate poor hygene could spread things.

 

[RitaZ.]

I don't know anybody who is freaking out.

Neither do I.

 

[Philagoofy]

Neither do I.

Don't let the media hear you say that, they will feel that they haven't done their job properly. They'll have to up their scare tactics.

And you were right Onelil, we in Philly do buy milk & bread first before the shovel & salt.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

I don't know anybody who is freaking out.

.

Neither do I.

Have you read some of the other threads on the Dis about this same subject? There are some that are over the top and can be classified as freaking out.