What Is This. Swine Flu?
So this morning I'm doing my usual train tube tube journey to work, crossing London from south east to west and to my surprise I discover that we are in the middle of a health crisis that if you believe the headlines is going to wipe out half the population of the earth. I discover that there has been an outbreak of swine flu. Never heard that one before, but apparently it's highly contagious and the WHO (World Health Organization) have said it has the potential to reach pandemic levels.
Global Swine Flu Pandemic - Official
We are now at the highest alert, the World Health Organisation today raised the alert level to 6, officially the swine flu outbreak is at pandemic status. The virus is spreading virulently across 2 continents, America and Australia. The number of cases increase everyday. Although the flu is seen to be mild, it is affecting younger adn healthier people.
Governments that have pursued a policy of containment have now to consider abandoning this policy and moving towards a more pro-active treatment of those who are most vulnerable to infection health officials in the UK stated today.
Second Dies Outside Mexico
A second person outside of Mexico has died. Whilst doctors haven't confirmed that the 33 year old woman from Texas died of swine flu, she is thought to have been infected by the disease and died as a result of complications. She had recently given birth to a new baby. Whilst no strictly speaking a swine flu death, we can presume that the respiratory problems associated with swine flu may have contributed to her death.
Schools Close Nearby
I got up this morning and the BBC reports stated that 5 schools have been closed today as pupils have been found to be infected with the H1N1 virus. One of the closed schools is about a mile away from where I live so I know that swine flu is closeby and there is a realistic chance that I will at some point in time succomb.
Over the weekend, I had a touch of fever, aches and pains in my stomach, some coughing as well, however much I tried to dismiss the worse case scenario thoughts at the time, I couldn't helpp thinking, bloody hell, I'm coming down with something.
Swine Flu Quarantine Measures
I seem to have got over my paranoia from yesterday, and am back to my usual -'when you're number's up' - type philosophy on life and death. However I do know that I can't afford as a freelancer to be laid up in bed for weeks on end, quarantined with Swine Flu, and not being able to get anything or see anyone.
Do I Need A Swine Flu Mask
Well today I had my first mini panic about swine flu. My journey to work everyday involves train tube tube one way and tube tube train the other.
If you've ever been on London Underground in particular, then you know our system is old, it's packed during rush hour and it's quite the incubator, as being the oldest underground network in the world, as we like to brag, it don't have the greatest air ventilation system.
