Comments on: Why You Should Travel in Times of Swine Flu

By: Tim Patterson

Tim Patterson — Sat, 09 May 2009 12:52:41 +0000

Thanks so much for your thoughtful and supportive comments, Ylenia. You might like this guide to Mexico City written by Matador’s managing editor, Julie.

http://thetravelersnotebook.com/destination-guides/green-guide-to-mexico-city/

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By: Ylenia

Ylenia — Sat, 09 May 2009 09:00:44 +0000

Thank you!! That’s exactly what I try to explain to my friends from other countries!
I am mexican and live in Mexico city, sure there have been some actions that may make things seem way worse (like all schools were closed for a week and a half) but were all to control.
I have a trip to europe scheduled for the end of this month and I’m seriously worried that this whole situation may hinder my plans.

Our reputation has never been one of the best, I’ve even become used to the fact that people from other countries are always stereotyping me for being Mexicans… now I can already think of many ways people will blame the flu to us and it will become a new permanent label.

Either way, I know you know this already but everything’s fine here. It’s just a matter of taking care of one’s self

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By: Carlo

Carlo — Fri, 08 May 2009 04:12:42 +0000

Before the swine flu panic came about, and most likely continuing beyond it, is the global recession. Economies are being hit hard by less people traveling – Mexico, being a huge tourist destination, is especially being hit hard right now.

Check out the sister (brother?) article explaining why we should be traveling despite the hard times.

http://matadorabroad.com/why-you-should-travel-during-the-global-recession/

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By: Candice

Candice — Fri, 08 May 2009 03:27:31 +0000

Loved, loved, loved this piece… you’ve totally captured all my frustrations and voiced them better than I ever could. I was in Mexico last week on vacation, and although my friends and I were aware of the flu, there was really nothing we could do about it so we enjoyed ourselves. Life continued on as normal. It was only when we arrived back in Canada that we felt panicked under the influence of everyone else…we had CBC shove cameras in our face when we landed! And I have had to take a week off from work ,despite not showing any symptoms. Ridiculous. It breaks my heart that Mexico is getting such a bad rep from this…I want to brag to everybody about my amazing vacation, but as soon as the word “Mexico” is out of my mouth, people back away.

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By: Tim Patterson

Tim Patterson — Wed, 06 May 2009 03:24:06 +0000

Tom that’s a crazy story. Your company is insane. I’m sure they won’t enforce a quarantine, that would be utterly ridiculous.

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By: Michelle

Michelle — Tue, 05 May 2009 19:59:33 +0000

Sarah,
I am so happy to read your article. I feel the same as you. Obviously, there are many who feel this way. We cannot allow the paranoia to get the best of us. There is being cautious and then there is …….. what we are being fed to buy into. I am planning a vacation in June/July and am not going to allow this to break my plans. If I do allow it to break my plans……. what kind of life is that to live? Take care, and thank you for your words.

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By: Tom Miles

Tom Miles — Tue, 05 May 2009 13:26:39 +0000

Sorry, ask HER what I should do, my mistake!

And by the way, this is some great writing.

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By: Tom Miles

Tom Miles — Tue, 05 May 2009 13:24:11 +0000

Thank you.
I’m currently working in Japan and I am visiting home for the first time in months next week, but my company has told me that on returning I will be placed under a 10 day unpaid “Quarantine” due to the pandemic. They are claiming the WHO in Japan as their source of information on this DEADLY SUPER PANDEMIC.

Would it be possible for you to put me in contact with your WHO friend in Japan, or perhaps ask him what I should do? I am already taking this vacation unpaid (as I only get 11 paid vacation days a year, woo Japan!), and cannot afford to lose almost a months pay.

Thanks very much.

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By: Steven Roll

Steven Roll — Mon, 04 May 2009 22:06:30 +0000

What the shrill news coverage fails to mention is that the swine flu has yet to meet the definition of a “pandemic” or “epidemic.”

But much of the media definitely is caught in the clutches of what a Huffington Post blogger calls an “infodemic.” Or, in other words, going overboard on covering inane things like Obama’s Portugese Water Dog or Susan Boyle.

Here’s an interesting post about how the media’s tendency to focus on story lines like the Swine Flu amplifies them and makes them seem more serious than they actually are. http://www.mediabychoice.com/?p=359

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By: Tim Patterson

Tim Patterson — Mon, 04 May 2009 17:27:15 +0000

I’m listening to a report on Mexican tourism now on NPR – sounds rough. Such a shame for the owners of small businesses who depend on tourist dollars…

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