Pandemic: the very word elicits panic and overreaction.
Truthfully, referring to etymology, pan (all) and demic (people) have the same meaning as the greek epidemic.
Pan, as used today by governing bodies, has been adopted to imply a more rapid explosion/spread of a dangerous condition.
Such is what we have today.
In a previous letter, I explored the reasons why I will not accept any flu vaccine.
This time, I have another concern. We will assume that the H1N1 virus hits Red Deer, full force and every pandemic/H1N1 plan would come into effect.
Speaking with my father and other more experienced citizens, they recall a time when schools were shut down as polio swept through the land during the 1950s.
Churches have been shut down for weeks in other countries as diseases have ravaged populations.
With a virus running rampant in Red Deer, would malls close? How bad would it have to be for the strip clubs, drinking establishments, restaurants and hotels to close? Or would the last Red Deerian alive turn off the lights at the bar and close the door?
When a sexually transmitted disease ran through the California porn film industry two years back, the entire industry was shut down — putting people out of work for months. The valley was almost devastated.
Sadly, as H1N1 paranoia sweeps across Canada, whole sectors of society may experience financial loss while others will see incredible financial gain.
Looking with a broader eye at H1N1 gives me a good perspective of the whole issue that surrounds the processes/protections.
Each successive wave of epidemic/pandemic this decade is more devastating and more expensive to fight.
Each time we protect ourselves, we open ourselves to the possibility of the next “big” one that much more.
If the disease doesn’t kill us, the paranoia and/or financial cost will. Isn’t that a kicker?
Tim Lasiuta
Red Deer