Case in point: France. Mainland France has had all of three swine flu deaths (out of approximately 62 million people; an infinitesimal percentage). The Associated Press reports that because of swine flu, the French custom of "le bise", the cheek-to-cheek peck used to say hello and good-bye is being reconsidered.
Whether this is an actual fact or whether it is an Associated Press wish, we shall probably not learn. But the point is that no matter how inconsequential the event, the powers-that-be are ready to recommend drastic measures.
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The directors of the swine-flu-scare campaign have issued instructions to various segments of society. But they managed to neglect telling day care centers how to behave.
Kathleen Sebelius, secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, corrected this oversight on Friday, September 4. Her remarks were the usual drivel, but she did say one interesting thing: the Tribune newspapers report that she said "Most children who catch swine flu do not need medical care unless they have underlying medical conditions."
And so, one has to point out that the effects of swine flu are no different than everyday flu. And thus, the question arises, if the effects are the same why are the government and related organizations mounting a totally unprecedented campaign to scare people about swine flu?
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