THE ISSUE Two cases of H1-N1 virus have been confirmed at lake summer camp
WHAT WE THINK It’s not cause to panic
OK, we’ll say it. First it was heavy rain – the Noah’s Ark kind – then it was beaches closing, now it’s a summer camp shut down by a dangerous strain of flu.
These aren’t signs of THE Armageddon (the Cubs have yet to win a World Series!), it’s just a news cycle.
Mass media news outlets, in particular cable TV news coverage, have made the swine flu outbreak into a reason to watch their channel. But the flu outbreak that originated in Mexico - the H1-N1 virus - has no link to swine other than the one given it by mass media.
It is in fact more closely related to avarian (bird flu) flu than pork, but note that it has mutated into its own form.
While lake residents should not be alarmed unless they visited Camp Sabra on the Gravois Arm, they should take precautions.
The simple good hygiene your mother should have taught you will do more to protect you than anything. You never know who touched the lavatory handle or shopping cart before you. Wash your hands.
There is no pandemic here, two cases do not make a crisis at Lake of the Ozarks.
Mankind and the flu virus have been waging a war since our earliest days.
Most cases of the flu go unreported simply because there is no reason to see a doctor.
Given time, rest and proper fluid intake, the body rids itself of the virus.
There is no reason to fear it, just treat it with a healthy respect. And good hygiene.
