Yes, I was wrong...Is it time to worry about the influenza?

As my friend Héctor well pointed out, by no means can we consider the latest events in Mexico a political stunt. Yes, I think it will help governing PAN in the intermidiate election, since voters tend to favor the status quo when it comes to dealing with crises (as for instance happened after September 11, 2001, when the Republican party got many more votes than originally expected) specially when the government is taking the correct actions towards dealing with it. Nonetheless, the flu pandemic is a reason to worry and has no politcal reason behind it.

Then spread of the swine flu (or the A/H1N1 influenza, as it is now becoming politically correct to call it) is no one's fault. Conservative US media have begun to think its spread in the US is the fault of Mexican illegal aliens. There is nothing more erred than this. In a globalized world (particularly flu) pandemics spread like never before (remember the avian flu?)

Mexico City, once one the most cosmopolitan cities in the world, once full of people, is now empty. Its once exhilarating nightlife is now shut down. Its restaurants are now closed. Its 18 million inhabitants are now confined to their homes. Expendable government agencies are now closed until May 6th (hospitals, gas stations, the police, and the army continue working). Schools are closed as well until May 6th (but probably until May 11). Not a soul in town. In Mexico this is a long weekend, because of labor day followed by 5 de mayo (the battle of Puebla holiday), buisnesses where asked to shut down during these days if they were able to.

WHO has raised its epidemic level to 5. This means the epidemic in now in more than 1 country. Is it time to worry? Its time to take action, no to panic. Government instructions to avoid the spread of the disease include, wearing a face mask, washing your hands constantly, avoid saying hi to people through a handshake or a kiss, etc. Please, if you're in Mexico or elsewhere, follow these easy instructions, they do no harm, and their just for a while. To avoid the spread of this strain of flu is our responsability.