It’s 5pm and Mexico City is closing in on the last hours of Swine Flu Day. The World Health Organization believes there is a serious Swine Flu threat towards humans of pandemic proportions and it has raised internal alerts in order to shell out cash for immediate precautionary action.
60 deaths and about 900 infected persons prompted officials from the government to suspend all classes leaving over 6.1 million students at home. Only 14 of those deaths have been designated “Swine Flu Fatalities”, leaving 44 other deaths pending. Doesn’t make me feel better, folks.
Chilangos are taking precautionary measures, utilizing masks to thwart a deadly encounter with the piglet virus. Every cashier and bagger at my local grocery store was practicing their best Ninja stare this afternoon and it was enough to rattle me since I wasn’t wearing a mask. Schools are likely to stay closed for days while the government takes further action. How are people on the interwebs reacting?
And my favorite:
Looks like everyone is taking this well. Also gives me a chance to finally upload this picture I took on my way to Xilitla, Mexico last week. Swine Flu transporter to the max.
It’s doubtful I’ll continue to update this because I want to drink, Mike Tyson’s flick comes out today and there’s news that J Dilla is coming out with a new album! Dude! So go here for all future updates.
Mexico City Closes Schools Amid Swine Flu Outbreak [via WSJ]
CDC: Swine flu viruses in U.S. and Mexico match [via CNN]
Mexico City Shuts Some Schools Amid Deadly Flu Outbreak [via NYT]
Monitering the deadly flu epidemic in Mexico [via Intersections]
Image 1 [via WSJ]
[...] Little diversity of reporting in English about this flu ooutbreak can be found across the internet, although some DF blogs bring reporting of pandemic fear with much more style– check out the posts on Intersections, and Citizen of the World. [...]
I just found your blog today– I’m excited to come back and read more. Great article, too. I linked it from my blog.
Hahaha I thought about that truck when I started hearing about the whole swine flu bit. I swear J Dilla is in competition with 2 Pac for ability to produce new music from beyond the grave
. See you soon in NYC.