Media Created H1N1 Hysteria

Finally, somebody has called the media to task for raising the Swine Flu hysteria to a fever pitch. Dr. Richard Schabas, chief medical officer of health for Hastings and Prince Edward Counties in eastern Ontario has, in effect, slammed the media and some medical officials for overstating the seriousness of the flu and its effect on the population.

He points that on average there are 4000 deaths annually from seasonal flu in the country. He says that when all the dust settles we're looking at 200-500 from Swine Flu. My God, if you listen to shrill reporting of CTV, Global, CBC and most radio outlets you'd think the Swine Flu was going to leave us with barely enough people to keep the country running.

So why the media hype? I suspect the the news media decision makers felt betrayed by the non-appearance of the Avian Flu which they virtually predicted a decimation of the population. So they needed a replacement. Irresponsible? Of course - but from long experience in the business you can never really accuse the decision makers of being overly responsible or at the very least stopping to take stock of what their reporting will do in the general population.

This doesn't mean don't get a flu shot. Of course, get one. But put the whole threat into perspective and get on with normal living. And when you think about it that is probably the best way to get back at the panic drivers in the news boardrooms.