The first signs of swine flu madness

Published April 29, 2009 at 9:28 p.m.

How long before these scenes become commonplace?  

By Andy Tarnoff

More articles by Andy Tarnoff

Published April 29, 2009 at 4:28 p.m.

Well, I've calmed down a little bit since my Monday blog about swine flu. Yes, I know that World Health Organization director-general Dr. Margaret Chan raised the pandemic threat awareness level today to 5 out of 6. However, I feel like governments around the world are taking this potential pandemic seriously (but what about Egypt slaughtering all its pigs?!), and for a change, health agencies are actually prepared for this.

Still, on an individual level, I predict panic will soon set in. I saw the first sign of said panic this afternoon, in the form of a woman wearing a blue face mask as she did her grocery shopping.

Yes, it's possible she was wearing that mask for another reason, given that Whole Foods is below a bunch of doctors' offices. But something tells me she's got swine flu phobia. It's just a hunch, but I predict we'll start seeing more signs of hysteria coming soon.

Who's with me? Have you seen anyone freaking out, canceling vacations, furiously washing their hands or wearing masks in public? And if you haven't, predict when you will. Use the Talkback feature below to weigh in ...




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