This little piggy...

Went to market....
Ok, we all know how it goes. What I really cannot fathom is the fact that we are dealing with a world-wide health issue. This problem stems from an area of poverty with little or no access to proper health care. Supposedly, a small village in Mexico was where the "swine flu" illness originated.

The name "swine flu" is incorrect because really the A-H1N1 2009 flu is a combination of the human flu, avian (bird) flu, and swine flu. Though many Americans are vaccinated each year, the vaccination may not prevent the A-H1N1 2009 flu.

It seems like our European/International counter-parts are taking proper precautions by screening at airports, providing face masks, denying imports of pork/pork products (even though the meat is supposedly not the vehicle for transmission), and suspending travel in/from Mexico. Though it is obviously too late to contain the virus in Mexico, I think America is missing a valid point.

My rationale stems from a local news report I just read. It makes me angry to think we are doing nothing in Memphis, TN to keep the transmission of this virus at bay. Basically we are welcoming the big, bad germs to our city with open arms and with southern hospitality (like we normally do). "Welcome ya'll, come on in, make yourself at home". I can just hear us saying...
Greyhound bus brings at least 5 buses into Memphis each day that come directly from Mexico or by way of Houston, Texas. A woman was interviewed today after arriving in Memphis from vacation in Mexico with her daughters. Both of her daughters were exhibiting symptoms of a virus (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea). The sad thing is that woman's daughters exposed every man, woman, and child on the bus to a virus, and possibly the A-H1N1 2009 flu. Not only did they expose everyone on the bus, they have exposed those at the bus stations, those innocent people at gas stations, those at places to eat along the way while traveling, each wash-room they used, and now into the city of Memphis. And, I have to wonder how often this woman, her daughters, and everyone else on the bus washed or sanitized their hands. I am sure not often enough! So with every surface they have touched/will touch along the way they are infecting others. Again, WELCOME to MEMPHIS A-H1N1 FLU!
Come on, America, let's use a little common sense and at least stop travel coming in from Mexico without proper screening. Let's screen at airports/bus stations/train stations and not allow travelers with symptoms to visit our city without testing/quarantine/treatment. If Europe and other international cities are following these guidelines, why aren't we? What makes America any different/better than them? Nothing, we are all humans. We all have germs and can get each other sick.

So, what now? For heaven's sake people, please WASH YOUR HANDS, COVER YOUR MOUTH and NOSE WHEN SNEEZING/COUGHING, SEE A DOCTOR IF SICK, STAY HOME OR KEEP YOUR KID AT HOME IF YOU/THEY ARE ILL. This news report I read hits home that it is really already too late to prevent the H1N1 Flu from invading our city or anyone else's for that matter.

Well, I guess I can get off my soap-box now and go wash up with it. I have no idea where all the little piggies have been today.......