04-30-2009, 12:50 AM
A pandemic is when a deadly new strain affects the whole world. It kills millions within a relatively short period of time, then goes dormant or whatever. The nightmare of 1918 was also a swine flu because it too came from pigs, and it was called "Spanish Flu" because it originated in Spain. Israel doesn't like the term "Swine Flu" because it's offensive to Jews and Muslims. I guess they'd rather call it "Mexican Flu", and if it does get nasty, that's what it probably will be called. We also worry about pandemics coming from chickens (Avian Flu) and then there was the Monkey Pox scare, SARS, and others. Fortunately, those potential disasters didn't pan out and hopefully, neither will this present situation.
The "annual flu" that kills tens of thousands in the USA is your garden-variety flu that comes every year during the "flu season". I guess it would be called "American Flu" if it only killed Americans, but to the best of my understanding, this annual flu does the same everywhere else in the world as well. It's a way of life, so to speak.
Bob, stupid people are the ones who don't have a concept of reality, and go out of their way to mock those who do.
The "annual flu" that kills tens of thousands in the USA is your garden-variety flu that comes every year during the "flu season". I guess it would be called "American Flu" if it only killed Americans, but to the best of my understanding, this annual flu does the same everywhere else in the world as well. It's a way of life, so to speak.
Bob, stupid people are the ones who don't have a concept of reality, and go out of their way to mock those who do.