Swine flu. It’s what’s on everyone’s minds. Or hands. Because of the flu scare, administration has cancelled or postponed all extracurricular events. This decision was a hastily made and ill-informed choice.

Earlier today (May 1), the WHO released a statement declaring restrictions on traveling unnecessary and “highly disruptive” to the community.

In addition to interrupting schedules, the swine flu scare has spurred people to suddenly worry more about their hygiene. Being concerned with cleanliness should not be a reaction to the spread of disease; it should be a constant thing, to stop pandemics from occurring in the first place.

And the rumors. “Did you hear? They’re closing school for the flu.” Or, “Someone here got swine flu this morning.”

In the event that an outbreak did occur at the school, an announcement over the P.A. system would surely be made.

It’s the same thing that happened with SARS and the bird flu: mainstream media outlets blow up the story so that scared viewers will keep tuning in. Of course precautionary measures are being taken, as they should be, but this doesn’t mean that the world should just shut down.

Cigarettes and AIDS together cause 19,000 deaths daily. Swine flu has caused 13 within a week. Every person in the nation is concerned with preventing the spread this flu. What should we really be trying to stop?