Tuesday, April 28, 2009

The Latest

I'm a little worn out. You can only refresh the CNN, BBC, and other news websites so many times before your nerves are shot and every little twinge in your body becomes the swine flu.

As of this morning, there are 152 deaths in Mexico and 90 cases confirmed around the world. I don't want to rehash the facts -- I'm sure you're all checking yourselves -- but that's pretty much all I'm thinking about right now.

They closed the local schools for the next two weeks, and Ibis said that the pharmacies were running out of masks last night. He had to drive to several places and finally found a veterinarian who was selling them. He said the line for masks resembled the line for tortillas, which if you've ever been to Mexico, you know it can get quite long.

I haven't left the house since yesterday morning so I can't report more than that, but I'll need to go to the store in another couple days so I can tell you more then.

I also want to address something I said in my initial post yesterday. I commented about the cases of diarrhea here in Zihuatanejo and speculated that those could be the swine flu. Someone sent me a note that gastrointestinal diseases and viruses like the flu are not related. I wasn't trying to say that they are -- I was merely wondering if the diagnosis was wrong and that those people actually had the flu.

22 comments:

erica m. chapman said...

Thanks for the update Melanie. Thinkin' about you and Ibis. Take care of yourselves.

Emc

Spy Scribbler said...

Gosh, that is scary! What is really scary to me is that it's sorta opposite normal: the better immune system you have, the worse it affects you. That's freaky.

Nadine said...

So glad you got the masks! Keep safe!!

PS: Speidi are supposed to be honeymooning in Mexico. Let me know if you see them :)

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Thanks Erin.

Spy, that's freaking me out the most too because we're both very healthy.

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Nadine, now I just need to make sure I WEAR it. I get worried about looking stupid or like I'm overreacting. I suppose that's better than a panic attack. :(

To your PS -- why won't they just GO AWAY!!

Nadine said...

I would say its better to be safe than sorry with the mask. And if you are wearing it, maybe no one will recognize you so you won't feel embarrassed. Or maybe you could decorate the mask? And then you make it more of a fashion accessory and start a new trend!

As for Speidi, I know!

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Nadine, that's an awesome idea! Maybe I'll draw lipstick on it. :P

JLC said...

I think a mask with buck teeth would be fun. :)

Melanie Hooyenga said...

See, now we're talking! I almost always wear sunglasses when I'm outside anyway, so it'll be like Halloween. :)

Ibis said he wore his at the market this morning. He's smarter than me.

Anonymous said...

Keep safe, Melanie!

brokenfingers said...

Diarrhea IS one of the symptoms of swine flu.

http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/key_facts.htm

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Gypsy, I'm trying. You all should be glad you can't see my profile picture on Absolute Write and Facebook, lol.

Melanie Hooyenga said...

*waves at BF*

Thanks for the link. The person who sent me the note clearly didn't understand why I was pointing that out in my initial post yesterday. I understand the difference between food poisoning and/or parasites and a virus.

Lauren said...

That is so scary. I hope you guys stay healthy.

Amy Mullis said...

Thinking of y'all. Stay safe. The cases in the States so far are mild. I'm hoping you guys have seen the worst of it and it will start getting better right away.

Ed Wyrd said...

Actually, Mel, except for checking on your blog to see how you are, I'm really not following the swine flu thing at all. I mean, not actively. It's sort of hard to miss it otherwise.

Your in my thoughts though, stay healthy.

Anonymous said...

It's so easy to get on this fear bandwagon... but look at the CDC facts: usually about 36,000 people DIE in the USA EACH YEAR of the flu. So far 150 have died in Mexico whose population is 108 BILLION. We're talking very small numbers here. Everyone now knows to be vigilant about washing hands and not coughing on each other. I would be much more concerned about narco bullets than about the flu, which most people are recovering from anyhow. I know it's even harder to stop worrying when you're far from home but keep the faith that you'll be alright.

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Thanks Lauren & Amy.

Ed, I figured that even if people aren't seeking out information, it's pretty hard to miss it. I just don't feel like rehashing all the details.

And thanks. :)

Robin said...

Urk! Be careful! No hand shaking, no face kissing, no nothing - ya hear me?
-Grandma

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Robin, I did a lot of nodding and smiling today. At immigration there was a GIANT bottle of sanitizing gel -- they let me take a squirt. :)

Benjamin Solah said...

Hope you're ok!

Good thing might be that you're stuck at home to do lots of writing ;)

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Hey Ben! You'd think, right? Unfortunately I've had so much web stuff that I haven't done any editing in several days. But today is a new day!