H1N1 (Swine) Flu Update No 53, in Today's News 10.13.09

H1N1 (Swine) Flu. The expected propaganda barrage to stampede the public into accepting swine-flu vaccinations is now proceeding. As a result it has become almost impossible to keep up with the distortions, half-truths, exaggerations, misleading data, lies, fear-mongering and hysteria. Apparently the directors of the swine-flu scare campaign will stop at nothing.

Here are few things to watch out for:

** Deaths. The directors are intent on publicizing any death related to swine flu. Especially important to them are deaths of young people. The directors figure that this emphasis is the surest way of scaring everyone into believing that an essentially harmless virus is in fact very dangerous. The media, of course, will jump on anything to please the directors. Case in point: a 14-year old girl was reported to have died suddenly in northern Illinois from swine flu. This gave the media an opportunity for big headlines, etc. Only problem: one day later it turned out she had a heart condition. Nota bene: almost every death from swine flu is with people who have an underlying serious health problem.

** Hysteria. The media does all it can to promote hysteria, to make people do irrational things. In a small town paper received here, the high school football game was cancelled because three players had 'swine flu'. It probably was only seasonal flu because it takes some time to prove it was swine flu. And yet on very little evidence the big event in town gets cancelled.

** Misleading data. Hardly a day goes by without a newspaper reporting an increase in swine flu. But check the data carefully. First it is probably not swine flu, but a seasonal flu or even a cold. Second, the data is usually insignificant but the media presents it in the most dramatic fashion. 

** Fear-mongering. Today the Wall Street Journal ran a front page article warning that swine flu could overwhelm hospital intensive care units. They cite three studies to back up their conclusions. The idea here is that if people can be convinced that the hospitals will not be able to handle the cases, then this virus has to be really serious. But if the article is read carefully the authors are talking about a highly hypothetical situation.

** Panic. Headlines began appearing today that there is not enough vaccine to go around, so therefore everyone should get their shot now before the supply runs out. But, it has been known for months that the vaccine would be available late. Plus there is no sign that swine flu is taking hold. So doesn't it seem strange that these headlines would appear now? Well, no, if you have no conscience and want to institutionalize mandatory vaccinations.

Other examples will appear as the directors become more and more desperate for their campaign to succeed.