Friday, May 01, 2009

Perspectives on H1N1 ca. 2009

Death toll from 1976 "swine flu" illness: 1
Death toll from 1976 "swine flu" vaccine: 25
Number paralyzed with "Guillain-Barre syndrome" from vaccine: around 500
Remember this before you get your "swine flu" vaccine next month.


It's incredible the reaction people have to this thing; some people become ultra paranoid, some reject alarmist tones. A few people have a measured response of preparedness and increased awareness.


Some joke about it:

"It was once said that a black man would be president when pigs flew. Well behold 100 days into his presidency, swine flu!"

I could write more and get more nuanced but I don't think it's as important a subject. I just wanted an excuse to reflect on people's viral reaction.

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