Friday, May 8, 2009

H1N1 Connective Force

A funny thing happened on May 7, 2009. The Centers for Disease Control made the following statement: "Early data on the H1N1 (swine) flu suggest it has the "potential for efficient, rapid spread among countries." Spread among countries with a point of origin in Mexico?

With symptoms similar to traditional flu, it is also transmitted in a very similar manner. How is it that someone in Mexico incubates a virus and it spreads like hot butter through continents? As of now, there stands 1639 confirmed cases in the U.S. Thankfully none in Mississippi, yet.

Suddenly face masks and gloves are as reasonable and fashionable as Chuckie Taylors. While many of us like to tout our national Independence, H1N1 proves that we are ALL indeed connected. We are separate, but undeniably linked with many Americans sporting the public surgical gear to prove it.

We breathe the same air, we touch many of the same items, in fact we come in contact with each other in cross-continental ways without leaving our mainland. It is fodder worthy of heavy duty consideration.

We are dependant on each other to coexist on this planet. We are biologically interdependent. We share a responsibility for this Earth and it's inhabitants - - whether we are willing participants or not. Think about it: a child contracts a virus from a pig in Mexico, and almost overnight Walgreens is selling out of face masks in Memphis.

H1N1 has taught an impressive lesson. We are as connected as a paper doll chain standing in our own little spot on this planet.

2 comments:

Pat Ward (@tapdraw) said...

This is a great observation about the smallness of our world. We learned last week that it's not only technology that connects us at blazing speeds.

The CDC also said that they think 1/3rd of the world's population will get this flu before it's fizzles out. Although they don't expect it to be as deadly (unless it somehow mutates with avian flu - HA WHEN PIGS FLY!!) that's still a crazy stat. Keep up the good writing.

Anonymous said...

Is this about disease or intercontinental relations?