The great, big, Swine flu hype!
The past week has the media abuzz with only one ‘news’ – Swine flu!
Such is the panic caused by the wide spread hype, that schools and multiplexes were shut down for 3 days in Bombay and for a month in Pune! Masks – N 95 or any other – are being sold at 5-8 times their retail value. A day before the Janmastami festival (birth celebrition of Lord Shri Krishna) takes place, there were orders to cancel the festivities as the festival would mean wide spread gathering of people in large groups. The Municipal corp. told mall owners to reduce the hype around the 15th August Independence sales in an effort to curb people visiting the malls in large numbers!
But how was the cry for downing shutters really effective?
The students stayed away from colleges and schools. But for the Malls and shops, it was business as usual. A few shop owners claimed they did not get the memo from the BMC…. (hello, didn’t you read the newspapers??)
With the price monies on dahihandis ranging from Rs. 15,00,000 to Rs. 60,00,000, how can the govindas resist the urge to make money?? They made most of the bandh in Bombay and were seen running rampant in the city! No sir, the swine flu did not stop them! So then, why the hype??
So far, about 25 (approx.) people have succumbed to the flu virus in India. Why is that so alarming? A doctor claimed that according to National Stats, 22 people die of Tuberculosis EVERY DAY in the country! Why then is Swine flu being propogated by the media as if its the No.1 killer in the country?
Truth is – Swine flu is deadly… there is no doubt about it. But it can be prevented and IT CAN BE CURED just by observing normal hygiene like washing your hands frequently and by going to the doctor in case you feel feverish or you develop flu like symptoms. One has to take the same precautions that one would take for preventing ordinary flu.
1) wash hands often 2) cough/sneeze into a tissue or use the sleeve of your clothing (between the elbow and shoulder) to cover your mouth 3) eat fruits and drink plenty of water 4) Do not take medication unless prescribed by the doctor 5) If you start taking the meds, complete the entire course of medication
Other than the above precautions, I think its life as usual for Bombaites! There is no need to shut down the city and stay holed in your home, although shutting the city will lead to other benefits, like lower vehicular emmissions and less traffic congestion on the streets! If rumors are to be believed, the travel between Bombay and Pune had dropped to 30% and one does not need to book tickets in advance to catch a bus ride to Pune! Now, that the positive effect of the Swine flu virus and how it played its part in curbing global warming!
And last but not the least, dont forget that the human body has something called Immunity! It can not only help in fighting the virus but also prevent the virus from infecting the person!
Happy Independence Day to all fellow Indians!
I wish the Indian media would grow-up and be more responsible in their print, instead of blowing stories out of proportion and turning every piece of news into a ‘breaking news’!
Smart! Experience helps!
