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A patients wears a hospital robe while standing between a doctor in a protective gear and a nurse at the naval hospital in Mexico City, April, 29, 2009. (Reuters) |
I live in Mexico City. Fortunately in this time I'm in good health, no symptoms of this swine flu. In the beginning the announcement of local and federal authorities caused alarm in the population, because it's a new virus. It's the result of mutations or mixture of several flu viruses, becoming an unexpected situation in the country.
Recorded cases of the disease occurred in the Mexico City, Mexico State and San Luis Potosi, where the necessary steps taken by authorities were:
1. The suspension of classes at all levels of public and private education.
2. Staying away from the crowds and cancellation of events in theaters, malls, concerts and football matches.
3. Using surgical masks when go out to the streets, at work or when people are sick or showing symptoms of swine flu.
4. Washing hands with soap and water constantly and using antibacterial gel.
5. Going to the doctor to submit any symptoms: headache, fever greater than 38°C, cough and nasal congestion.
Later, these measures were extended to all the country because of the appearance of more cases. The people are interested in being informed and seek answers to any questions that this situation is generating. Thus the media have been focused on providing forums with medical specialist and expanding their coverage to clarify the situation and allowing specialists to provide calm to the population.
On the other hand, when listening to these specialists and authorities, we realize that several of them are not sufficiently prepared for the matter, do not even know the magnitude of the problem, and are even less capable of providing calm to the population, especially when we hear that this is a new virus and there is no vaccination against it.
Also, the numbers of people who have swine flu and have been discharged within a few days throw doubt over the veracity of the actions being taken and question whether this situation is under control and whether there are enough drugs to meet patients' needs as well as the available amount of surgical masks needed. I personally know people who work in hospitals and have been talking to them, and they tell me that the situation is not controlled, medicines are not enough and people are seriously ill, and there is insufficient staffing, calling into question the authorities.
Moreover, the streets look empty, there is no traffic in areas where typically it's really difficult to journey on normal days. But the population is alert to all information that is being generated over the issue, and taking the measures for prevention, although not many people on the street are using surgical masks, because they consider it uncomfortable, unnecessary or they can't find them in pharmacies or shops, where the price of these has increased considerably (real cost is 0.5 to 1 peso; now it is 10 to 50 pesos). They are still available in several places in the city for free, although it's something to look for them.
For me this situation is worrying. I have family in San Luis Potosi, which is one of the state's most affected, and know people who know that they have swine flu and I hope will recover soon.
We can only prevent and avoid any panic because it does not help at all, and have faith that everything will be fine.
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