Swine flu, the media and me

On Tuesday I was interviewed by a local radio station about what it is like to be in Canada while my family is still in Mexico in the middle of the swine flu epidemic. "You must be really worried," said a producer to me in a preliminary chat to determine if I was interview-worthy. "I mean lots of people have died already." Then she added with innuendo: "And these were healthy people too."

I hadn't been worried. Until then, my big concern was the mental state of my wife, trapped with two cranky children in a tiny house, in 40 degree heat, and bombarded by news stories of impending doom. I wasn't worried about them actually getting the flu. The total number of confirmed deaths at the time was less than the number of people dying every day due to the drug war. (And almost a week later, it is not much higher, if at all.) But when she put it like that, well.... I insisted my wife was in no danger, but the wind was knocked out of my sails. I silently wondered if I had my head in the sand. And I wondered if I'd torpedoed a chance of getting on the air.

I hadn't. The producer called back to say I was a go, and even suggested I share my skepticism on air. But I didn't. As I waited my turn on a morning show dedicated to blanket flu coverage, I listened to a raft of interviewees confidently relate tales of horror. I can't disappoint, I thought. Perhaps they know something I don't know. It would be the height of crassness to say I felt like the media was blowing the story out of proportion when I had agreed to come on the show and talk about it. So I just went on the air and said I was really worried.

And this morning the story in the papers is about media hyping the flu. So here's my bit to fan that particular flame.