americans? over-reacting?

I am watching Meet The Press, and it keeps aggravating me and making me yell at the TV screen.

Question:  Are Americans over-reacting to the flu crisis?

Answer:  People are trying to do their best with the information they have.  (That's your answer, Janet Napolitono and Kathleen Sebelius?)

Observation:  Okay, David Gregory (Meet the Press Moderator)...the NEWS MEDIA is freaking everyone out by talking about it non-stop (including YOU, since this is the first story that you cover this week and spent more than 20 minutes chewing it over).  What about the HUGE deal it is that Obama has the Supreme Court nomination to decide?  What about Senator Arlen Specter becoming a Dem?  What about the risk of letting the Taliban re-engage in Pakistan? 

People (with NO symptoms of any illness) are coming home from trips to Mexico are going straight to emergency rooms to see if they have the flu.  Conclusion?  Americans can be idiots.

Here in Oregon, a single sick student (who may or may not have the flu) caused the ENTIRE campus of Western Oregon University to cancel all classes and activities for at least 4 days.  Overkill?

A flight from Munich to Washington DC stopped in Boston when a passenger complained about feeling ill.  How much further is Boston?  A mere 30 minutes more is required to fly to Boston.  They couldn't wait an extra 30 minutes?  Really?  All those people on the plane would already have been exposed for HOURS to any germs this woman was carrying.  Does this make ANY sense?

Are Americans over-reacting to the flu crisis? 

YES.

Comments

[Arlene Guillen]

Like Margaret, I wonder why nobody notices the 30 thousand deaths each year from the regular flu??? I think Americans are being ridiculous, but you know, the WHO isn't helping either. Along with the press, just more fuel for an insane fire. And yes, there is that little thing about a Supreme Court nomination that could, oh I don't know, impact our lives for generations.

[Margaret]

YES!! And why aren't people freaked out about the regular flu that kills so many more people. It is very tiresome. I think the news media wants it to be BIG news...so they're making it so. By the way, I love your barn photo!!

[Stephanie]

It's ridiculous! I can't believe the flu pandemonium (well, I guess that's not entirely true; the American media never ceases to surprise me with it's overkill). Hopefully real news will be back in the cycle again soon.