Thursday, April 30, 2009

Pandemic Paranoia


Like many of you, I have been hearing about the "Swine Flu" epidemic that is spreading around the world. I'll be the first to admit that I don't know much about it. I have learned that some of the symptoms are high fever, body aches, and fatigue... just like the regular flu. I have heard that Americans are being told not to travel to Mexico right now because that is where the "Swine Flu" seems to be hitting the hardest. I even heard someone on the news say that you should avoid anyone who has traveled to Mexico recently.

How are you supposed to know who has traveled to Mexico recently? Are you going to be introduced to someone and ask them if they've been to Mexico recently? "Hey, why are you so interested in going to Taco Bell all of a sudden? You got swine flu, man? Could that conversation conceivably happen in the near future? Hmmmmm!

President Obama has said that the strain in the United States isn't that bad, even though the first U.S. death from it was reported yesterday. I'm not overly concerned about getting it but, maybe I should be. I just have too many other things to worry about right now. (Famous last words, right?)

I work on the 7th Floor of a 17-floor building. On the first floor is the "Student Healthcare Facility", which is just a nice euphemism for "The Clinic". A lot of the patients have discovered that they have Herpes and they go there to get Valtrex. It's a running joke amongst folk in my building. Now, that isn't all that they go there for but, it's the thing that gets people giggling when we see some guy getting on the elevator (usually looking down at the floor) and his angry girlfriend (or, at least, his last sexual partner) is usually giving him the side-eye and stomping her foot (with her arms folded), as they hurriedly rush off the elevator at the first floor.

Here of late, more than a few people have gotten on the elevator sweating and coughing. This has caused a lot of folks (myself included) to back up in the elevator... thus, making the poor sick person feel like a leper. Could they have the dreaded swine flu? What happened to the days when we thought the sick student might have HIV or another STD?

Today, a couple of people had on hospital masks in the elevator. I got on and, at first, I thought I was on the elevator with a group of surgeons. As soon as we passed the mezzanine and first floors, these people took their masks off. I smiled to myself and thought, "Have we gotten that paranoid? Should I be a little more conscious myself? Are these people overreacting? Shouldn't they move the "health facility" (clinic) to another building? All are questions that I will be pondering, but honestly can't answer one way or another!

26 comments:

Sean said...

ROTFLMBAO- You are as funny as hell
Keith!

Toni said...

Keith,Keith,Keith....You know you aint right...LMAO @ You...

Anonymous said...

Although this is a serious topic, this post made me laugh.

People are panicking over here in the UK as well. We've had our first two confirmed cases in Scotland-a married couple just came back from honeymoon in Mexico. The government here has told people not to travel to Mexico as well.

It's crazy cause I was on the train this morning and I sneezed and i could just feel the eyes on me.

BTW, thanks for stopping by my blog.

Angie B. said...

This post made me laugh, just like your post on "Escapades" Thanks for brightening my day and giving us a good look at a serious subject.

Cheryl said...

I read both of your posts while I was riding to work on the train...I know that people on that train thought I was crazy...I had to close my laptop!

Brenda said...

Loved this post Keith...You're right, We are a little paranoid...but this Swine Flu thing is making me a little jittery.

Lisa said...

I don't know which of your posts are funnier..This one or the short story you wrote on your other blog.

Halo said...

Keith, both of your blogs make my day,especially today when I needed a pick me up. You are crazy as hell. That scene in the elevator when you thought you were surrounded by surgeons had me rolling.

Sunflower said...

A nice humorous look at a serious subject... You've been on a real tear this week.lolololol.

Vanessa said...

You aren't all there and I'm so glad. ROFLMAO!!!

James Perkins said...

This post brought a chuckle or two to my lips, but I'd be lying if I said that I wasn't a little worried about this outbreak.

Jazzy said...

You crazy Fam! LMAO @ You!

Grover Tha Playboy said...

You gave us a double bubble of laughter this morning brother!
Good Post!

Captain Jack said...

I love your lighter fare...Your blog had become pretty intense for the past few days. Good Post as usual.

Simon Bastion said...

Funny Post!

TATE2 said...

I'm concerned about this particular outbreak..I'm not a conspiracy theory kind of guy..But something pretty fishy is going on with this.. It makes you think.

Swaggie said...

This was funny as hell... Loved this post...Especially the elevator
story.

Keith said...

@Bored n Talkative-Welcome to "Keith's Space" and do come back..Don't be a stranger!

Anonymous said...

That was funny.

But I've been told by a few medical professionals I know that the media is hyping this thing up. I've read the regular flu is worse then swine flu.

Shorty said...

Great post! I think we all need a reminder that the media's first job is to spread the word...no matter if that word is complete or not. And we also need to remember to have stellar hygiene during flu season and hope nobody coughs or sneezes in your face, or on your body before you have a chance to run to a sink and wash your hands! I feel bad for the child that died, too. Every year, tho, babies and the elderly are worst hit by the flu. Sad but true.

Strongblkwmn said...

I live in New York and people aren't as panicked as I thought they would be, especially considering a group of kids got sick and their school had to be shut down, followed by the school down the street. I also work at a hospital. I saw a couple people working around with masks on yesterday. This thing is hitting NY kind of hard, but us New Yorkers have thick skin. I just hope it doesn't get any worse.

The Dreamy One said...

I think the media is blowing this whole thing out of proportion!

I can tell u us Louisians aint worrying about it!

Mizrepresent said...

THis was great keith, really. I have also been seeing people wearing masks, and to tell you the truth i'm thinking about keeping one with me, heck the way these folks be coughing and spitting in public, on the train and bus, ain't no telling what they are spewing.

A Free Spirit Butterfly said...

I'm not worried, but I am sadden by the people who are affected and the ones "living" in fear. I'm also bothered about the fact that some people expect the Presdient to fix this tooooooo......

Love for a restful night and I guess it wouldn't hurt to get a mask (LOL)

The butterfly.

Anonymous said...

well whatever anyone has...I dont want any part of it....lol

Angel said...

Its the media overhyping everything but your story was hilarious.

I saw some guy on the tube with a gas mask on...thats when i decided to get off, obviously he knew something we didnt!!




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