"H1N1" Influenza - Paris on High Alert

This summer in France was particularly hot, the hottest average in 20 years. Although there were no sudden heatwaves, the global temperature change was evident, and it moderated upon entering September. Since this spring, the global issue has shifted from the world financial crisis to the global swine flu (because it caused significant losses to global pig farmers, it was quickly named with the scientific term "H1N1" influenza). Under the massive propaganda of the world mass media, the globe seems to be facing an impending influenza storm. Remembering the caution from the past Spanish flu that took thousands of lives, global health organizations are now even more cautious, repeatedly reminding that autumn and winter are the period entering the influenza storm.

Paradoxically, the mass media has shifted away from the social problems brought by the financial crisis; clearly, one problem hides another, and it also shows how the mass media manipulates issues. French society is no exception. The summer vacation has ended, school has started. Faced with these unusual preventive measures, the Ministry of Education announced that if any student or staff member is infected, classes will be suspended or even the school closed. Major television stations all have advertisements from the Ministry of Health on influenza prevention measures, along with daily mass media analysis of the flu situation and future trends. The entire society is under a psychological battle against influenza, like a tense situation on high alert, ready to erupt at any moment.

Quite contradictorily, if the influenza situation is as such, then why is it that in Paris public places, no one is seen wearing masks? If positive—of course prevention is better than cure—then negatively speaking, there might be some hidden tricks (such as manipulation by multinational pharmaceutical companies and drug merchants, as there are only four major vaccine manufacturers globally, leading to much discussion and rampant rumors). Governments of various countries are all preparing influenza vaccines. Paris plans to carry out comprehensive vaccination in mid-October. Priority is given to the elderly, weak, women, children, and public service personnel (such as police, hospital workers like nurses, administrative staff, etc.), while others can freely choose whether to get vaccinated.

(It is understood that "H1N1" influenza is like a common cold; its infectivity is stronger than the ordinary cold. So vigilance is necessary, but it is not as severe as imagined, because the number of deaths and injuries from the common cold exceeds that of "H1N1" influenza.)