I’ve always had a withering contempt for people who panic in a crisis, spread rumors, and make things worse. It is one reason I don’t watch TV news, since that is their primary technique. I understand that at a personal level some element of panic is involuntary when it hits, but it still strikes me as cowardice not to overcome it. One of the really beautiful things about becoming a pilot is that the training deals exactly with that issue and it carries over into the rest of one’s life.
It is no surprise then that I am laughing at the hysteria over the swine flu, at all levels, from the national governments, to the airport managers, to the school districts, to the general public. I was however able to do something about it this week which is unusual. Ordinarily when the herd stampedes I can try not to join in but I don’t have much of a way to make a statement or take a stand.
On Friday the American Film Institute here in Dallas had a special screening of a Mexican film. My Spanish literature class had decided to go a few weeks ago. Naturally a good number of the people in the theater, which was packed, had recently traveled to Mexico, and some of our own group included friends from outside the class who live in Mexico City and were visiting Dallas this week. We then went out to eat, about fifteen of us, in a crowded restaurant, and had one of those really great evenings where the food and company just click. We greeted each other as always, with kisses and abrazos, and we tasted each others food and cocktails. We could not have given a more hospitable opportunity to the virus had that been our intention. It wasn’t, but we all decided that we are not going to join in the ridiculous worldwide panic. We were well aware of it, we talked and laughed about it, and I’m very proud of everyone for not letting it frighten them.
There may come a time if the virus mutates when precautions will be sensible and not hysterical overreaction. That time is not yet here. If you’re hiding in your bed shaking in fear about the swine flu today, thanks for the laughs.
For some sober science on flu epidemics and what governments are doing see this video and these comments.
