I'm Ramping Up

And I'll make an assumption that you, dear reader, are not surprised at that fact. 

I know that this is a hot topic, but this is my blog and I'm going to voice an opinion here. 

The media of this country has perpetrated a hoax on us.  Strong words, I know, but that's how I feel in light of recent revelations here at our house.

The constant coverage and special reports about the so-called Swine flu have created an atmosphere of panic and thoughtless behavior.  As I said yesterday, there is no way for a thinking person to use the national media, even including (sadly) NPR, to make a rational decision concerning this risk.  We have only the facts couched in supposition and inuendo and exageration and outright misleading information which we must tease out for ourselves. 

The doomsday scenarios and pictures of people with masks have apparently made many Americans terrified of each other. 

Yesterday, it hit home for me. 

A lovely Mexican-American (yes, she's a citizen as are her husband and children) woman cleans my house.  That relationship, my friends, is an intimate one, and I trust Norma implicitly.  She's cheerful, responsible, funny, smart (her English is way better than my Spanish), and she brings me killer tamales.  What else would you want from a person who has access to all of your stuff?

Yesterday we talked a little about the flu and whether or not it had impacted her mother and siblings who still live in Northern Mexico.  She said that there was little evidence of a problem there.  That the schools are open and she knows of no one who is sick. 

Then Norma told me of the problems here.  She was told by one of her clients, for whom she's been cleaning for years BTW, not to come to the house for a month.  A month.  That's a month's income.  Norma asked the woman why and she hemmed and hawed and finally admitted that she was afraid Norma might bring the flu to the house.  Really.  Norma's had no more contact with anyone who's been to Mexico in the last 2 months than I have, but she talks like she might have...  She's so mad that she's told the woman to find someone else to clean for her.  I don't blame her.

And two of her friends, one who drives a city bus and one who works at Big Box Mart, have been told to stay away from work for 2 weeks.  Without pay.  Without symptoms.  They are Mexican.

Now, them's fightin' words, folks.

Since 9/11 we've had an ugly mentality in this country.  It's one that displays xenophobia and hysteria and it's darned unattractive. 

I personally am boycotting all national media that doesn't feature Jon Stewart or Stephen Colbert.   I've read the reports from the CDC on their website for myself.  A little hysterical, but at least is primary source material.  Yeesh.

P.S. -- Rachel, I started a new sweater with the yarn I stole out from under you.  I'll put up pictures later. 

Comments

[Ruth]

That is TERRIBLE. People are so stupid.

[Jenn]

This is why I only watch the news in Japanese. I did end up calling my sister, however, and asking her about "all this flu business" because when South Korea is using thermal imaging to check the temperature of people in the airport, it actually gets interesting.

I wonder how much she'd want to do one thorough cleaning of floors, baseboards, etc. of a small apartment. All that stuff I'm "too busy" to do.

Someone called this "Obama's Katrina" on the assumption that he's spearheading this effort to make sure it doesn't look like ... well, KATRINA if it did get bad. Honestly, though, I think the media is just bored and stupid and unwilling to find and report any real news.

[Jules]

I heart Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert, and I double-heart YOU. Great post.

My warmest regards and attagirls to Norma. Spunky thing! It SO sucks that her idiot client cannot get a grip; that is em-effing WRONG. Oh and you are SO preachin gospel about her killer tamales.

[Fríða]

OMG! how horrible and how perfectly thoughtless and even stupid a way to behave. luckily, no thanks to the media though, noone up here is taking any notice of these reports.
great to have you back!
best wishes from Iceland
Frida

[Carole]

That's just outrageous. I'm so sorry this is happening to Norma.

[Pat K]

How come we're not hearing THESE stories on the news?? This is a real outrage!

[CindyCindy]

Why was I not surprised by the treatment Norma got? I think it's because the media is out of control and discrimination is totally acceptable in the media. It's just housed in seemingly benign language. Thank you Rupert Murdoch.

[Lucinda]

Ugh! The ignorance is simply mind-boggling!

Best of luck to Norma! I wish I were still in the position of being able to afford some help around the house -- I'd hire her simply based on your recommendation.