N&Q1 Swine Flu
Considering the state of media in the US, it’s astonishing that the following have yet to hit the headlines. First, no prominent leaders have so far blamed Obama for the pandemic. The reason may be that leaders want prominent place in the line-up for vaccines and fear relegation if they appear too fatuous and bigoted. But vitriolic politicians will eventually point the finger at Obama. Second, no leaders have recommended wearing face masks or insisted that others do so. Whatever the merits of a mask, it’s a visible sign of uncompromising rigour and gravity. Everyone who insists on masks will be credited with tolerating no nonsense. Moreover, it will start a panic, and those who foment stampedes are – in our culture – thought wise. Third, Americans have only begun to consider rounding up those who breach the protocols for preventing the spread of this flu. The jailing of the ignorant is inevitable in our genial society, particularly the anodyne ‘no politician ever does wrong’ world that is Canada. And last, but not least, the allegations have just begun that the illness will catastrophically impact our economic recovery. The prophets of doom have barely raised their horns to their lips. The opportunities for profit will be overlooked in the stampede to predict the greatest disaster.
