Usually, I try to stay away from the discussion of 'hot' media topics, especially when I believe that they do not warrant extensive coverage. That said, I can no longer ignore the mass hysteria that is building in relation to the Swine Flu virus. It is impossible to pick up a newspaper and avoid the constant announcements that this virus is increasing in prevalence and deadliness throughout the world. Of course, journalists should provide knowledge on the virus. They should not, however, try to terrify us with the same knowledge.
For a moment, let's just look at the empirical facts relating to 'Swine Flu'. This is a form of influenza that hit the world hard in the 1918 pandemic. Symptoms include coughing, headaches, upset stomachs and fever. In addition to this, the very young and elderly are most at risk, along with the young adult generation that has had very little exposure to influenza. So basically what we're dealing with is the flu. It can be deadly, it can kill and it can be treated. It affects those most likely to be affected by influenza and acts in a similar manner.
I am not trying to downplay a potentially deadly pandemic but I do believe that we are letting fear do more damage than the virus is physically capable of. We must do all that we can to prevent the spread of the virus and limit the consequences of it. At the same time we cannot allow ourselves to be paralysed from living our lives. If we can learn anything from these worldwide pandemics it's that our existence on this planet is precarious and cannot be spent submerged in terror.
We should live cautiously, but live nevertheless.
-The English Student
No comments:
Post a Comment