H1N1 Hype and Propaganda

Along with growing environmental awareness, it seems that there is no escape from the onslaught of news reports, products, and hype regarding the H1N1 flu virus. It seems that every few years there is a worldwide health scare (need we think back to the whole SARS ordeal or mention the word Anthrax?) and for the 2009 and 2010 duo the hot topic is the Swine Flu. I by no means am downplaying that it is a good idea to protect ourselves from getting sick, from any flu that is, and this is especially true for the younger and older generations. However, I feel that there are plenty of outlets and businesses looking to capitalize on the fear of the masses.

I do think that the H1N1 virus has been blown a bit out of proportion; while it has spread across the Globe the same could be said of other flu strains and if you look at that the total amount of fatalities from the standard yearly flu, the Swine Flu deviation isn't even as fatal. Of course it is sad that people are dying because they are sick, but this is the case annually regardless of if it is from one disease or from H1N1; in fact in some areas of the world there are much more pressing concerns than if one is to be contracting this flu virus. There are those who take a greater risk when they drink their local water supply, but because there is no other option to quench their thirst they must take their chances. There are those who don't have any food to eat and are dying of starvation while other countries are chucking their abundances into landfills. Those with environmental awareness in mind can see that while the flu is something to not be taken lightly, it should still be kept in perspective with other issues.

But in getting back to H1N1 itself, there are the influx of over the counter pills and products being sold, and even televised on those all important late night infomercials, promising to guard you against contracting the disease. The products run the gamut from the possibly feasible to the simply outrageous; there are the obligatory pills that are supposed to keep babies safe from the flu, other dietary supplements that boast they will ward off the virus as long as you take them within four hours of contact, and even a shampoo that promises to wash away your chances of getting sick. Ready for the really good ones that would even make the Shamwow guy proud? There is the spray that supposedly, with its ionic silver compound, will make your hands impervious to the Swine flu. As for upping your immune system there is the electro wand type gadget that has "deeply penetrating mega-frequency life-force energy waves," sure to make you the equivalent of Superman against this virus. But as the Federal Trade Commission in the US released on their website, "If a medical breakthrough involving the virus has occurred, would they be hearing about it for the first time through an advertisement or sales pitch?"

I would have to agree that many of said items are really nothing more than companies looking to make a quick profit off of the public's heightened fear. It is, in my opinion, the equivalent of so many of the diet and weight loss pills promising to give you the body of a red carpet celeb in two weeks without ever putting down the fried chicken wings and Ben and Jerry's pints or hitting the gym. Yes, you should do what you can to keep yourself and others from getting sick: cover your cough, if you're sick stay home, wash your hands, and go to the doctor to get a legitimate flu vaccine. The truth is that while there are people who have died from the virus there are plenty who have survived to live another day and inevitably get sick sometime in the future. Just as there are products with false environmental awareness claims, if it sounds too good to be true or just plain ridiculous a magic pill advertised between your favorite TV show slots is probably not going to keep you safe from any flu...or give you washboard abs.