Swine Flu

By now I have officially accepted my complete failure as a blogger, as it has been about five months since my last blog post. I am sure that if circumstances had not been quite so irregular here in Mexico, I would have completed my year without giving another update. However, as the world is becoming gripped in a panic over the Swine Flu from Mexico, I thought that the least I could do is use my blog to update those of you back home on the situation.

First of all, I would like to assure everyone that I am safe and healthy. I arrived in Mexico City yesterday afternoon on the advice of my bosses who advised that, despite Mexico City being the centre of the outbreak, it would be a more secure environment than my house in Cuernavaca. I am therefore staying at the MCC office in Mexico City for the time being. While at work on Monday we received the news that the government was shutting down all schools in "la Republica" until May 6 which means that I will likely be here until that date, however if the influenza doesn't stop spreading, it is very possible that I may be confined here for several weeks. I am praying that it does not come to that.

As Mexico is a country suffering heavily under the weight of the global economic depression, the addition of this new threat is truly a disaster. Yesterday the government declared all public gathering places closed, meaning that schools, community centres, shopping malls, movie theatres, bars and clubs, swimming pools, and most other similar community places have been shut down and here in the Federal District almost all restaurants have closed. The economic pressure that this puts on the people of Mexico could be crippling. Furthermore, as the WHO raised the alert level to Phase 5 today, there are rumours of shutting down key institutions such as public transportation. I'm finding it very difficult to imagine what on earth the people will do to support themselves if the Mexican government does take such measures, especially for the overwhelming percentage of the population that lives day-to-day and often depends on public transport for their livelihood.

As far as safety goes, I am not worried. While being aware of my unfortunate tendency to take these sorts of things lightly, I still believe that many people outside of Mexico are becoming much more panicked than is necessary. This I largely contribute to the media's habit of overkill and their need to fuel the fire in order to sell more newspapers. I have so far only heard of one person, my boss's daughter, who has possibly contracted the virus. She was diagnosed speedily and after one day on medication is already much better.

I have had the opportunity to keep up-to-date with both the English world's media along with the Mexican media, which has been an interesting experience. There are notable contradictions between the two, as the Mexican media is quick to say that the virus is stabilizing, while the english speaking world is frantic about the WHO upgrade and the new cases in other countries. The attempt at calm on the Mexican front, I'm sure, is due to the government's control of the media and their desire to stem a sense of panic in the country. I personally prefer that over the opposite response I've seen in the other news - I don't believe that encouraging unrealistic fears is a healthy practice.

Generally speaking, people I have talked to back home are much more worried than we are here in Mexico. I'd like to assure everyone that I am taking extra precautions, such as frequent hand washing, and trying to limit my time outside or on public transport, a practice which may cause me some cabin fever in the days to come. Let's just hope that this does not reach a Phase 6 pandemic, where leaving the house may become a serious issue.

"En fin", I'd like to send out a general "don't worry" to everyone back home. I am not worried, and if by the very tiny chance that I do get sick, I am in the good care of MCC and will receive prompt and efficient care :-)

I would encourage people to pray for a few things:
- the speedy containment of this virus
- comfort for the families of those who have tragically died in the last few days
- the already-suffering economy and the economic well-being of Mexico's poorer citizens, the ones who are most assuredly going to suffer the most from this virus
- the governments and medias, that they may inform and direct in a responsible and healthy manner

I will try to keep this blog updated, but in the meantime, don't worry and take care!

Peace, Sam