I am an Alarmist by Nature
As if you didn't know that already. But I do tend to panic at the drop of a hat. The week after 9/11 I bought gas masks and went into a depression as I literally had convinced myself that it was the end of the world (literally, yes). I bought surgical masks for opening my mail. Anytime I fly I'm convinced my flight is doomed. And so on.
I'm really trying to remain calm about this swine flu thing, but the fucking media doesn't make it easy, do they? I'm convinced the media and their blowing up everything is the root of ALL evil in general. They hook onto a story and just ride it until there's no life left in it.
The word pandemic is frightening. I know, all of the cases here in the US have been mild, but still. Statistically so far I guess the chances are pretty low.
Have we been through a scare like this before in recent times? Does someone have a statistic or fact that will calm me down?
My kids and I have dental appointments tomorrow to get our teeth cleaned and I'm thinking of canceling them because I don't want people spreading germs into our mouths.
Help?
ps. I don't even like talking about it because I fear I'm jinxing myself. Perhaps I should just admit I need therapy for my lifelong ridiculous paranoias.
pss. Considering stocking up on Tamiflu, although I read some other MEDIA reports that it's a useless drug.
psss. Oh, and I forgot to mention that I was at a local farm market a few days ago taking pictures and took pictures of a GIANT PIG that was in a pen there! AAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGH!