Just in Case You Have Not Heard About the Swine Flu

Everywhere I turn, I hear about the swine flu. Even during the Presidential News Conference, the first question asked was about the swine flu and whether the border to Mexico is going to be closed. I am not going to write about what the swine flu is, how it is transmitted, and how to protect yourself since I leave that up to the professionals.

Why is there so much media coverage and why are people panicking? Here are a few insights from people blogging about the swine flu. Disclaimer: Please take note that I do not necessarily share the same opinion and any incorrect spelling/grammar does not come from me.
1. because omg swine flu is everywhere dont you know? its on every website and tv station and omg my stomach hurts i must have swine flu even tho i havent been anywhere near mexico or even know anyone who has been to mexico, and blahdy blahdy blah.
Just in case you missed it, that was sarcasm.
2. im equally as sick of people freaking out. there have been like, 350 reported cases WORLD WIDE on a planet with 6billion people. thats fewer people than how many die from the regular flu in the united states alone each year
3. Mass hysteria!! And this is the one thing that is going to be something to be scared about!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!... Chill out people and just take reasonable Hygiene precautions - wash your hands, and know who you are hugging/kissing and where they've been!
4. Happens everytime the news media covers some disease. Sars, Anthrax, Swine Flu, Bird Flu.
5. Some people have already died because of swine flu, and it is nothing to joke about.

For those really concerned, I found this helpful link. A medical professional from a news health team, Dr. Steven Seltzer answers questions like:
Can humans carry and/or pass the swine flu without exhibiting symptoms? For example can the person sitting next to me on the plane who is seemingly healthly, yet still pass the virus to others passengers? The answer to this question and a few other valid interesting ones are found in the link below.
http://www.baynews9.com/content/36/2009/4/29/466166.html

The most notorius reaction to the current situation I guess is the one from Paris Hilton. When asked by a photographer: “[Paris!]You worried about the swine flu Paris? It’s killing a lot of people in Mexico”, Hilton's response was “I don’t eat that.” Everyone with a brain cell knows that you don't get swine flu by eating pork products, it is spread by human to human contact. Let us hope Paris Hilton doesn't catch the swine flu and dies -- the entertainment industry would certainly be less colorful without her.