There’s a New Fad Now – Are You Scared Yet?
Opening the doors to a new semester, I realized that summer was slowly passing into fall. As any ordinary student, I expected to enter the classroom, take my seat, and listen to the professor explain the course expectations to the class. Boy, was I wrong. Instead of the usual dreadfully boring read of the syllabus, my peers were receiving a medical lesson. “Keep your hands away from your eyes, nose and mouth,” My professor advised. How many times have we heard this phrase from our family, friends, and teachers?
He proceeded to explain what the new ‘craze’ of the year was-the notorious “swine flu.” But is this villain as evil as the Black Plague, or is it something that should be taken from the spotlight?
The “Swine Flu,” known as “Swine Influenza,” originated in pigs. The virus mutates, eventually becoming a threat to humans. Symptoms include: fever skyrocketing over 100°F, cough, sore throat, headache, chills, muscle aches, diarrhea, and vomiting. Although difficult to treat, this evil flame can be extinguished-similar to any type of flu. So, why fret? Schools are forcing parents to have their children vaccinated because of the odd prediction that every person will catch the bug during the fall season. What if people can not afford the vaccines? Are they supposed to drop dead?
In the past, not as many cases as we expect now have been recorded. So, then, why the hysteria? The “Swine Flu” is nothing more than a mere variation on all the other flus that we have seen.
Recently, my sister returned from her first day of college. After tossing her school bag aside, she proceeds to check her emails on her computer.
The first email, sent by a coordinator at LaSalle University, states: “Two resident students appear to have mild cases of the flu, and they will be going to their homes as soon as possible….If you experience these symptoms while at home, you should stay home. Students should notify their professors. Employees should notify their supervisors.”
Did someone spot King Kong on the Empire State Building? Has 9-11 occurred once more? If a person experiences any of these symptoms, the most logical action to take is to seek medical advice, not by self-diagnosis.
As long as people wash their hands correctly, acquire an efficient amount of sleep, and maintain a healthy diet, the big bad “swine flu” will stay away. See? It’s that easy!
coronavirus vaccine
