There's nothing like a little pandemic to bring out the worst in people.It certainly doesn't help that the symptoms of the dreaded swine flu could pass for just about anything that ails you.
Fever. Lethargy. Lack of appetite. And let's not forget the ever-present sore throat and nausea. Sounds a lot like Monday to me.
And the midst of trying to get the situation contained, we have this ridiculous interjection from an Israeli health official who says the outbreak of swine flu should be re-named "Mexican" influenza in deference to Muslim and Jewish sensitivities over pork.
You're kidding, right?
Most Torontonians will undoubtedly recall the the deadly SARS outbreak in 2003.
At the time, I was working at a downtown ad agency near St. Michael's Hospital. One chilling day, I recall walking past the hospital on my way to work and the entire hospital had been wrapped in a scene straight out of "Outbreak". They'd closed down the Second Cup coffee house in the lobby and they were only allowing essential workers in. Even families with patients inside were being prevented from visiting.
Toronto learned some important lessons from that experience -- primarily, not to panic.
We were largely guided through the labyrinth by an incredible public health official, Dr. Sheila Basrur, who was a shining example of how calm leadership in times of crisis can help allay public fears. Sadly, Dr. Basrur passed away in June of 2008.
In the end, it was cancer, not SARS, that got her.
1 comment:
And it'll be fear that gets the rest of the country if everyone doesn't relax a little. Yes, health concerns should be taken very seriously. But, I refuse to live my life in fear. I'm just going to keep washing my hands, and keep on living life.
Good post, Franny! (As always).
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