Honestly, I don't know what to say about the swine flu. If it turns out to be nothing, then everyone will trust the media a little less (if possible), and we'll never know whether it wasn't a real threat to begin with or whether all of the panic helped curbed its spread. If I dismiss it and it turns out to be serious, then I'll be the jackass who made light of a pandemic. So instead, I'll focus on the semantics.
It seems that some people have issues with the "swine" designation. Israel has taken to calling it "Mexican Flu" which has Mexico somewhat upset--and I'll agree with Mexico that the sudden switch seems a little harsh. Generally speaking, people don't take it well when you substitute them in for pigs--as anyone who has ever thought it would be funny to oink at a police officer can tell you. In addition, it seems like the US government, allegedly for reasons of clarity, has decided to call it H1N1 flu. From a marketing standpoint, I think this is a terrible decision. "H1N1" lacks the catchiness of "swine flu" and sounds more like a new software download than a potentially deadly illness. I know that some people seem to be confused by the word "swine" and think you catch it from pigs or by eating pork or something. But we can't name things based on how stupid the American public can manage to be when it puts its mind to it. I know that the people at Smithfield Farms might not be thrilled with the swine designation, but if you want me to pay attention, you need to name your pandemic viruses like a Ford, not like a Lexus.
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