Blogtrek

Hyperflu Emergency

I had blogged yesterday that the hypermedia is hyping up the flu epidemic too much. This has resulted in some interesting results today. First of all, the authorities now say the flu season will not be much different than in past years, even though it has been reported in all 50 states (well, so has the common cold). Secondly, in the Richmond area, it has caused an "external emergency". Specifically, so many people have arrived in hospitals sick with flu that it has filled every bed in the Richmond area! They are canceling all but emergency surgeries, and using a system by which a hospital is selected for a person based on whether that hospital has room. To me this is serious. What if Isabel wood should hit a tree chopper and cause him to have serious injuries? Where does he go? Does he just lay there and die? And guess what is also happening now? The hypermedia is now hyping the other way! They are urging those only moderately sick and under 65 (not 50) now to go to the hospital.

I think a "lessons learned" review of this crisis could contain a recommendation to forbid the media from reporting on any illness except those which have been approved by a hospital board. The media need to act more responsibly.