# 3032
As the Swine Flu crisis grows in Mexico and the United States, and as it presumably spreads to other countries, we can expect a good number of `scare stories’ to emerge in the press.
Last night, we heard that 75 prep school children in New York were being tested for the Swine Flu virus. For the foreseeable future, every cough, every sniffle, will be viewed with suspicion.
It is a legitimate story, but may constitute more noise than signal right now.
And we are likely to see a great many follow in it’s footsteps.
Possible Swine Flu Outbreak At NYC Prep School
Department Of Health Officials Testing 75 Students At St. Francis Preparatory School In Queens
As many as 75 students at St. Francis Preparatory School in Queens got sick on Thursday. More got sick on Friday. What health officials want to know is was it swine flu or something more benign.
There are mounting fears about a deadly swine flu virus that is reported to have killed as many as 60 people in Mexico, one that health officials fear has already seeped into the United States.
St. Francis Prep was ordered to cancel an evening program Friday night because the New York City Department of Health isn't sure what made students sick Thursday and Friday with flu-like symptoms.
Do these kids have Swine Flu?
We won’t know until after the test results come in.
But probably not.
We are likely to get a lot of stories like this.
Some will really reflect the growing outbreak, while others will simply be the `worried well’.
As this crisis continues, I’ve no doubt that we’ll see unsubstantiated Internet rumors end up on newscasts, as well.
I’m almost afraid to check my email this morning, fearing that some new viral-chain-letter with flu scare stories will have started making the rounds.
The best advice I can give is to view all reports (even those I write!) with a certain level of skepticism. I do my best to ensure that I’m reporting good, solid information – but I can be fooled as well.
The flu bloggers like Crof, Revere, Scott, DemFromCt and SZ are all old hands at this, and take great pains to get the story, and the perspective, right.
The mainstream press has a number of terrific reporters including Helen Branswell, Jason Gale, Maggie Fox and Patrick Thibodaux (along with many others) who really know the science, and can be trusted to to their best to bring you the real story.
But unfortunately not all reporters, and bloggers, take their responsibilities seriously.
To some, this will be an opportunity to make a name for themselves, to push some agenda, or to drive traffic to their website.
As always, Caveat Lector.
As Bette Davis (as Margo Channing) once said, “Fasten your seatbelts, it’s going to be a bumpy night”
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