10.15.2004

This Flu Nonsense Can Make You Sick

I don't know what it's like in your corner of Bush's merry woods, but watching New York news stations from here is nothing but people battling to get flu shots.

Every news reports features elderly (and far from it) people running all over the tri-state area trying to get shots. Then they yell at each other, "I'm more deserving of this shot than you are!" Then they yell at the younger people, who yell back, "I'm 27. You're 90. You've lived your life!" Then the middle-aged people arrive and insist they deserve the shots most because they pay the taxes to support the young and the old. People at one place had camped out overnight in the rain and under-40-degree temps. Smart!

Nothing brings out the worst in people faster than a) religion and b) a shortage of anything (even if it's something they wouldn't normally want).

Funny thing is - I suspect most of these crazy people are placing themselves far more at risk waiting for hours out in the cold and rain in huge crowds of other people than they are from the flu. The fastest way to get ill is to feel overtaxed while you're in a big crowd of strangers - especially those with such poor manners they probably don't cover their mouths when they cough and likely don't wash their hands frequently either. [In fact, if humans weren't such total slobs, infectious disease of any type would be much less of an issue. The simple act of washing your hands frequently can save lives.]

Too bad there is no vaccine against stupidity. If there was, people wouldn't be standing in line for hours to get it. Which is a shame really (glancing at picture of the president).