Actually that pandemic killed about 20 million people worldwide, perhaps more than were killed deliberately by WWI. I’m not going to spend much energy worrying about the new flu, though. Remember how the world population was going to be decimated by AIDS because they just knew it could be transmitted by mosquitos? And handshaking? And public toilet seats? I haven’t used any mosquito repellant, I’ve shaken the hand of at least one person I knew had AIDS, and I’ve used public restroom facilities, and so far I’m only feeling a little sick. Nothing’s ever as bad as the doomsayers say it will be.
And if it is…well, I’m almost 63. I’ve had a pretty good run. Screw all you young people!
Sorry, I didn’t see the program in question so I won’t comment on it directly, but it is worth noting that a virulent influenza strain from birds does have the potential to be a catostrophically deadly event.
Also, I don’t think that people in Africa right now are saying, “Yeah, that damn Barbara Walters was trying to scare us about AIDS 15 years ago, good thing we didn’t listen to her!”
I think your sig is perfectly appropriate to this thread. “I <heart> Fretwankery.” indeed.
threemae: Also very true. It’s difficult to filter news, mainly because it requires actual thought. The WHO and the CDC probably provide all of the information you require to assess infectious threats, but without thought you’re still at the mercy of whoever is peddling the biggest bandwagon.
Nothing’s ever as bad as the doomsayers say it will be.