Swine flu panic hits the Czech Republic

By Kateřina Heilmann | Prague Daily Monitor |

4 May 2009

The swine flu pandemic threat has put the world on high alert, and people are panicking in the Czech Republic. Several travel agencies have canceled flights to Mexico. Anti-viral drugs and face masks have started selling out. Prague Airport is offering medical check-ups. Special flu maps have been set up for people to follow how the new virus is spreading. Informatin has been released about the number of people who could die if a new pandemic hits the Czech Republic. What about the number of people who die every year as a result of smoking? That is no longer a reason to panic? Is the media coverage of the swine flu effective? Are you afraid to eat pork? Do you think there would be less panic here if swine flu had a different name?

Email us at: talkback@praguemonitor.com or comment below.

Kateřina Heilmann is a staff writer and translator at the Monitor. She likes writing about cycling and culture.
You can reach her at katerina@praguemonitor.com. You can read more of her stories here.

Comments

Submitted by albert.mustafin on May 4, 2009 - 10:57.

It's good you mentioned smoking. I was thinking about car accidents. There are topics like "don't go to CR, as there are crazy drivers everywhere" or "don't drive on D1 highway".
People will still go to CR and drive on D1 just like they will go to Mexico or some Asian countries where they can be kidnapped/killed/infected (you name it). Actually, all this can now easily happen in the middle of a European capital like Paris or Prague.
Media says that the flu is already in Germany. Do you think I will change my plans for the next weekend over this?

This is no different from the anti-terrorist campaigns that eat up millions of dollars. Pharmacists need more money to sell some vaccines? So be it. I will not buy it.