Today it has been confirmed in the UK that the Swine Flu pandemic cannot be controlled. In Argentina, reported cases have soared from 1957 to more than 100.000, after results of elections suggested that apparently the government was witholding information. I did a search on contingency plans being put in place in the UK, and to my ignorance, there were lots of policies, concepts and strategies already defined. It could be that some of these plans are now in place, and we see now a face of 'treatment' rather than containment. Then I checked the following map on swineflu spread, and still it looks 'containable' within geographical boundaries:
http://www.swinefluworldmap.com/
However, let is imagine we cannot control the virus spread. This would change the panorama of things. But more importantly it would change the ways we deal with things. Perhaps with a more positive attitude? Perhaps with less panic and more humility?
We would need then to stop thinking about our ability to master nature, the environment or diseases as if they were in a lower ladder in the hierarchy of creation. It could be that nature is fighting its way out of our desire to contain it. Or it would be that we need to stop going over our own ability to live in the planet.
We would also need to reconsider our one-sided mentality about globalisation, if it has brought us some benefits but also the main vehicle for spread of things, good or bad. We need to accept the unintended of globalisation.
What about science, is it not coming too late to rescue...? Ok, we know a first vaccine is on the way, how will it be distributed...? To whom, where? I have heard someone on TV talking about how contingencies for flu treatment include having a 24 hour line to attend queries and prompt people to flu treatment drug distribution centres. Sounds great, the only thing is that there has to be a planned demand and supply...
In practice, we are a long way from that. This week I had a virus (not the swine flu though!) and I can say that although I have panicked, my treatment has been that of 'wait until it goes away', with some medicines. I went to see a doctor and then phoned another one. Their prescribed medicines which I did not have to buy via the normal prescription system, just turned up in the pharmacy and asked for them. Maybe doctors were advising me to relax, maybe not. I was not prepared to accept that I needed special treatment, but some bad nights have taught me otherwise. Now I am more cautious and in a way more humble, accepting that I cannot just contain my state of health to some days. Some of the flu recommendations have helped me, and I have been lucky to be able to take some days off work. I have been waiting for the virus to go away...for my benefit, and that of other people around. No point in denying it...
UK reports of casualties always highlight that there were previous health problems in all of them. Contingencies speak about controlling or acting rationally in the face of outbreaks. I just wonder if there could be a shift towards becoming more positive. Like my wife said in relation to the heatwave of this week: Why do we not take it as a good thing...? Whilst countries try to show they have everything under control, that does not seem to be the case. What to do if we get infected...? Will we accept it, will we be able to convince people to have their treatment and wait?
If we do that, maybe our way of dealing with it could change.
There is another dimension to the way we deal with things. Recently met someone from Mexico who alerted me to what someone told her about swine flu:It is better to be infected, so you get treated and hopefully you will develop defenses against it. Mexicans had to endure a slow down of their economic activity, given that this virus attacks young people. Some though actions had to be put in place, all led by central government and acting on national security level, to protect the economy, in other words to protect the young people. Interesting...positive? Maybe.
What we are coming to acknowledge is that our own systems of dealing with things (personal, local or national) might not be able to control everything, but in the attempt, we create anxiety, a feeling of frustration and ultimately of failure to 'master' what we should have mastered. But there could be an alternative of accepting and moving on with life as it comes every day. I just wish we could live our lives without worrying by the day on the new things that we do not know, but without having to become paranoid.
Shall we do nothing, or shall we do the minimal, or the humanly possible...?
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