"...high-frequency Uranus raises your anxiety level today." My horoscope.
Just when I was spouting off that no cases of flu had been reported on the coast of Sonora, I hear from Lolita that three cases have turned up in Empalme and one in Guaymas. These are not confirmed swine flu, just people being tested for suspicious symptoms. But it's enough for the masks to start appearing on the streets of Guaymas.
But the masks are almost useless in protecting against infection, according to the chief medical officer of Scotland, Dr. Harry Burns. "You wear a face mask, it becomes damp during the course of the day and that allows the virus to spread across your face." Health care workers are being advised to don a fresh mask if dealing with a flu sufferer. But "the virus is so small they can go through the pores."
So, if we're thinking nonporous, can solid plastic masks be next? Are we going to resemble Darth Vadar in the heat of summer?President Felipe Calderon wants us to stay home from May 1 to May 5. The 176 professional soccer games scheduled for this weekend will be played (and televised) in empty stadiums. Supermarkets, buses, garbage collection and, of course, hospitals, will operate as usual.
The Capt, down in Barra de Navidad, says the hospitals there are already overcrowded with cases of dengue fever.
Late news flash: According to a CNN report, so far, four month into this year, 13,000 people have died of flu. NOT swine flu, but "regular" flu. Worldwide, the number is between 250,000 and 500,000. Sort of puts everything into perspective, doesn't it?
6 comments:
CARAMBA! Be sure to post when Jim has made it home.
We are leading with the most confirmed cases here in Texas... woo hoo! I'm going to sit down and make out a grocery list to hold us for 7 days just in the event that we are told to stay home. They canceled all School sports and field trips in the state today.
I'm just sitting here in the USA, where non-stop news coverage is beyond nausea. What the heck is going on, me thinks?
You wouldn't believe how awful the tabloid press in the UK has been about the flu this week. Talk about trying to whip up a panic- get people panicking then they buy another paper to read more... hey ho!
I think they've confirmed 8 cases in the UK, all from people who were on a flight back from Mexico last week, or friends of theirs they'd met since.
SOme people are being soooo stupid over it. I overhead someone say they she can't eat pork any more cause of it. Oh goody, I thought- lots of cheap pork will soon be in the shops because of idiots like her and all the more for me yum yum :)
My brother, Roy, lives a few miles outside of Mexico City and he says they are OK. He teaches, and was just about to start a new job when they closed the schools. Now he, his partner and her family are staying in. They live on a private estate so I guess they are as safe as they could be. Cautious optimism is the way to go, I think.
Just wish our press would shut up and get some perspective, like you say. 1.5 million die from TB in the world every year, and you can easily get that. SO where are the headlines about that?
Best defence re flu is handwashing, especially after things like door handles etc.
Take care :)
Helena
I agree with Helena, the news has blown everything so out of whack. As I sit here on my deck listening to the sounds coming from the the full ball park down the street... we'll be fine if we just remember to wash our hands before eating or after going to public places.
I can't wait until the stores run bacon 3 pkgs for a $1!
Things are quiet in Barra de Navidad, near Melaque. I see a few people wearing masks, but viruses will sail right through a mask... they´re so small. Enjoying the relative calm after semana santa.
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