Freaking out about the flu...

[SpookyCat]

Ok. People at work are freaking right out about this flu.

I'm trying to tell people, don't panic, no cause for panic, 40 people, entire US...CDC says very mild...keep an eye out, but stop freaking out!

I am pissing in the wind.

I think people want to be freaked out, I really do. I do not recall this level of fear (I'm in SF) during SARS, bird flu, etc.

Is it because Mexico is so close and China so far away? Is it just an outlet for all the other things we have to freak out about? economy etc?

I just wonder, cuz right now, when I try to calm people down, they look at me like I said there's no Santa Clause.

Anyone else having this weirdness around them?

'kay, rant off...

:rant:

[Occam Bandage]

1. The media were just as obsessive over SARS and avian flu.

Which is why, I think, so many people are making a show of scoffing at swine flu here. They want to bash the media for getting it wrong before it's cool to do so.

[tekisui]

6. The media who cried wolf.

They'll get us one day.

[Occam Bandage]

25. One of the reasons I liked the novel World War Z,

which describes a near-future zombie pandemic from the perspective of survivors retelling their stories, is how the plague spreads in the early weeks. The public, conditioned by repeated wolf-crying over all sorts of diseases, shrugs its shoulders and ignores hysterical reports of "rabies" epidemics across third-world nations.

[SpookyCat]

13. I know the media did, you're right,

but I don't recall people around me freaking out like they are now.

And what's weirdest, (weirdest?) thing is how people seem kind of annoyed when I try to calm them down. That's what I mean, it's like they want to be freaked out? Maybe it's just the folks around my area. We're techs, though, I kinda expect a more level, logical head.

I dunno. But you're right about the media hype.

[HereSince1628]

2. IT is because of 8 years of conditioning by master propagandist and fearmonger Richard Cheney

We are no longer free or brave in the Homeland. But we have Homeland Security.

[Ian David]

3. Just wash your hands more often. Relax. n/t

[SpookyCat]

12. I think you didn't read my post, just my headline maybe? n/t

[Ian David]

18. Sorry, I've been too busy constantly washing my hands to read whole messages. n/t

[SpookyCat]

20. Sure...

:hug:

It's a weird time, that's for sure.

[thewiseguy]

4. Do not freak out and do not dismiss it either.

Honestly, I do not have a good feeling about this one. There is so much that we do not know about this flu and we are in the very early stages of it.

[MercutioATC]

14. Bingo!

Stay informed. Be prepared. Don't panic.

[nadinbrzezinski]

5. Yesterday, well meant mind you

they said the magic words

STAY CALM... DON'T PANIC

As a PIO for the Red Cross I actually put it in the manual, DON'T use them.

Don't ask what gets in the water, but when you tell any population not to panic and to remain calm, they panic

[Hannah Bell]

8. no, just keep talking it up...over & over & over...

[Fumesucker]

15. A certain proportion panic..

Like people who bought duct tape and plastic sheeting.

[eShirl]

7. what do you mean by "freaking out" ?

cowering in the corner crying, shrieking and running around in circles flapping arms, what?

[SpookyCat]

17. LOLOLOL!!!! No, but thank you for that visual!

Oh crap, I'm giggling at my desk like an idiot. Luckily, everyone around me is used to that.

No, nothing quite so dramatic. Just lots of breathless OMG!!! I'm SERIES!!! and some preparations that seem quite over the top to me. People are talking like this is the apocolypse, it could bring down the grid (???) and what will we do if no one is there to fix it?

I guess it's just free floating anxiety happy to have a place to go. I just wondered if anyone else noticed this, mostly.

[Garbo 2004]

21. Do you work at the CPUC or a utility? If so, let the ISO worry about it. lol.

They've prolly been watching that earth without people series on TV. ;-)

[SpookyCat]

23. A utility that shall remain nameless...

LOL! Just seems like overkill to me right now, sorry for the bad, unintentional pun...

[Garbo 2004]

28. Well bless their hearts that they are concerned about the grid, seriously, but

we're far from that concern at this point. So far my electricity is doing OK & I'm cooking with gas (as they used to say). ;)

Actually I am home sick with a flu & cited the Feds' instructions on staying home when I called in (and I recently ate a burrito so there you go). Our workplace is like a daycare ctr when it comes to spreading bugs so I'm doing a public svs by staying home. Wish my fellow employees would do the same when they're sick.

[kimmerspixelated]

9. We're all like these pathetic

sheep drones, even when we argue with the tv, their messages seep into our skulls and the trance takes over, even when you think you can dismiss it. Personally, I'm only marginally worried, it's the possible Marshall Law and forced vacs that scare the shit out of me! I'd like to think Obama wouldn't permit Health Fascism, but it may be out of his hands!

[MilesColtrane]

26. Marshal Law is what Matt Dillon dispensed.

[ohheckyeah]

10. Yep, some people like being freaked out.

Lots of people say they hate drama but they really don't....they actually get off on drama.

[FedUpWithIt All]

11. I really don't see people panicking. I see people talking/discussing/sharing.

And some of us, non-panicking people, are even quite sick.

[SpookyCat]

22. I'm sorry you're sick. :(

I don't mean to make light of anyone who is, I just wish people would stay calm! I mean, if this does blow up, it doesn't help anyone to not keep a level head, seems to me.

Hope you feel better soon!

[FedUpWithIt All]

27. Thanks SpookyCat. Crazy ironic really.

I don't believe that this is THAT bug.

;)
:hug:

[luvspeas]

16. Make yourself the office expert - hand out blue surgical masks...

and draw funny faces on them. tell them to drink urine and rub themselves with onions. also-I hear that taking aspirin and drinking vinegar helps destroy the candy coating on the virus and they freeze without their coats.

[SpookyCat]

19. Hehhehehheee!!! TY!

A couple of these posts have made me laugh right out loud.

"drink urine and rub themselves with onions"

That is too funny...thanks! :hi:

[davekriss]

24. Great, I stayed home with a headcold today

I wonder if they'll let me back in tomorrow? ;)