The Nation That Cried Pig?

Break out the hand sanitizer; we have a crisis on our hands.

Such convenient (and aromatic) resources for personal hygiene are obviously key combatants in the intense battle against the infamous H1N1 influenza virus (otherwise known as the Swine Flu). In fact, these handy portable containers serve as a strong sign that the American public are gearing up for war against the swine menace.

The recent Swine Flu epidemic first emerged in Mexico on March 18, 2009. Panic struck the world in a furious effort to contain this mysterious new disease. Then, the dreaded flu spread to the U.S., appearing for the first time on April 14, 2009. Media coverage bred another mass panic and subsequently schools began to close and the country went into psychological mayhem. Symptoms were introduced (remarkably similar to the regular seasonal flu) and everyone was on the alert. This is not to mention the all too obvious tie-in to the disease’s source.

Damn pigs.

Cleanliness preachings appeared everywhere across America spreading fear that Swine Flu may very well appear like your everyday flu, but really possessed the sinister ability to launch a sneak attack on us. Paranoia and pig-a-phobia followed.

While the Red Scare of Communism may be easily tied to the generation of the 1950s, perhaps this generation will be forever connected to the notorious Swine Scare. After all, evidence has shown that young adults (along with children) are some of the most vulnerable to this virus. This may be the start of a mass anti-pig movement in the United State as we boycott against this insidious villain that has cursed our generation.

Well, not quite.

Nonetheless, the hype this disease has received does not match the proportions of its implications. While it is tragic that anyone must die from the flu, one must observe the situation objectively and recognize that this is just a bad flu season; this is not a pandemic that is going to wipe out half of America’s population. Preparations and precautions are good, but fear-driven obsession with hygiene needs to be quelled. People need to realize that worrying will get them into more trouble than shaking hands with a stranger or eating pork. All the hand sanitizer in the world (as good as scents like warm vanilla sugar and tropical passion fruit smell) can’t save you from panic-induced chaos.

I have the sincerest concerns for what may result when the supply of vaccinations starts to dwindle from its already relatively low number with a massive collection of anxious people still desperate to get their hands on it. Tragic predictions of another Black Friday Wal-Mart stampede episode come to mind. I shudder to imagine my friends, peers, and their families getting horrifically trampled in the rush to get the supposed immunity to the treacherous Swine Flu. This may turn out to be a truly deadly disease after all if we don’t keep our heads on straight.

But, at least our hands will smell nice.