# 3095
It is hard to believe that it is just over a week since the first word of a new influenza virus began to filter across the news wires.
In a week we’ve gone from watching the H5N1 bird flu virus (which is still out there, and still percolating) to a Level 5 Pandemic Alert for `Swine Flu’.
While the virulence (severity of illness) of this virus appears to be relatively mild, it has been cited as the cause of a number of deaths in Mexico, and at least one death in the United States.
It is too soon to know whether we see a mild pandemic, or a severe one (or something in between) from this virus.
The virus we deal with today will no doubt mutate over the coming weeks and months. We may see pockets of more severe illness even if the virus remains `generally mild’.
But even a `relatively mild’ virus has the ability to severely disrupt society.
Case in point, Mexico is all but shut down this morning due to the outbreak.
Mexico Plans Shutdown as World Flu Alert Raised
Mexico to shut all but essential services as world health officials ratchet up swine flu alert
By MARK STEVENSON and ANDREW O. SELSKY Associated Press Writers
MEXICO CITY April 30, 2009 (AP)Mexico readied a "temporarily closed" sign — taking the drastic step of ordering a suspension of nonessential federal government and private business activity as it tried to squelch a swine flu epidemic. The World Health Organization ratcheted up an alert and warned that "all of humanity" is threatened.
<snip>
In a televised address, Mexican President Felipe Calderon praised "the heroic work" of doctors and nurses and asked his countrymen to literally stay in their homes between May 1 and May 5, saying "there is no safer place to protect yourself against catching swine flu, than in your house."
In recent days, Mexico has faced one of the most serious problems in recent years," Calderon said Wednesday night. He brushed aside criticisms that his government's response was slow, stressing several times that authorities had reacted "immediately."
Commuters, wearing protective face masks to prevent infection from swine flu, ride in the subway in Mexico City Wednesday April 29, 2009. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)
School in Mexico has already been canceled until May 6. During the shutdown, essential services like transport, supermarkets, trash collection and hospitals will remain open.
Calderon said authorities would use the partial shutdown to weigh whether to extend the emergency measures, or "if it is possible to phase out some" restrictions.
Restaurants, pool halls, movie theatres, sporting events, even taco stands are closed or are being closed in Mexico city.
Millions of people are unable to work.
Many countries have stopped, or have reduced airline flights to and from Mexico. Tourism is all but dead there right now, and may remain so for some time.
The economy, on many levels in Mexico, is taking a terrible hit.
The question comes: How long can any nation sustain this sort of reaction?
And a week from now, if they try to lift some of these restrictions, will the virus simply pick up steam again?
Unanswered questions at this point.
The secondary effects of a pandemic – on the economy and on society – may exceed the health related impact. And in the long run, could have a profound effect on peoples lives.
Over the coming days and weeks we are going to have to find ways to live, and work, as safely as possible under `pandemic conditions’.
Because, like it or not, we really haven’t much choice.
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