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Ever since U.S. health officials declared a public health emergency over the H1N1 strain of the influenza virus—commonly known as “swine flu”—worry has arguably spread faster than the disease itself. Some countries have imposed bans on travel to Mexico, and some international flights carrying passengers who complained of flu symptoms have even made emergency landings at the nearby major cities. Yet, in the midst of the panic surrounding the outbreak of the disease, which has appeared in several probable cases on the campus of the School of Dental...
While it is a fundamentally good thing that the Harvard community has been notified via e-mail of the disease’s potential to spread and of its presence on campus, perhaps the best thing about Harvard’s reaction is its commitment to informing the community instead of inspiring panic. We certainly echo the recommendations of University Health Services officials who have suggested taking small precautions such as frequent hand-washing, but we hope that students do not allow a fear of contracting this new flu strain to inhibit their daily routines and activities. In cases like...
...advocating that information about potential epidemics be hidden in order to keep the public docile. We should still warn the population at large and try to quarantine diseases before they spread, because, even though swine flu will likely turn out to be mild, our species remains highly vulnerable to rapidly communicable diseases...
...fact, we likely face a bigger threat from viruses today than ever before. For nearly all of human history, the fastest way to travel was by horseback, and contagious diseases could only spread from town to town by piggybacking on migratory animals or unlucky travelers. Despite these difficulties, the Black Death in Europe was still able to kill between 30 and 60 percent of Europe’s population. The forward march of science around the globe has helped keep disease at bay through vaccinations, good hygiene, and quarantines, but international air travel gives upstart pathogens hoping...
...masks would be extremely effective in stopping the spread of germs. Gas masks cover the entire face, so no need to worry about touching eyes, nose, or mouth. They also make it difficult, in many ways, to hit on sick people, so no need to worry about getting dirty germs. And think of all that time you’ll save from not touching your face and not touching other people to wash your hands with soap! Genius idea, we know, but now how can you proceed in getting this necessary, life-saving object you wonder? FlyBy has taken...