7:43am Tuesday 7th July 2009
By Telegraph & Argus
With it now being a certainty that large numbers of people are going to contract swine flu, the big fear is that a sense of panic will set in.
The opening of the first anti-viral collection point for people in the district who succumb to the virus will no doubt add to people’s general fears – the centre’s location is being kept secret for fear it will be over-run, and perhaps there is also the worry that its store of drugs will be targeted.
It is vital for all of us that no-one gives in to the temptation to panic. Yes, swine flu has proved to be a serious ailment for a small number of people, but the vast majority of those who contract the illness recover relatively quickly with no further ill-effects.
So long as everyone follows the professional advice, then the pandemic can be contained and fought as swiftly and effectively as possible.
An old wartime motto that has gained a resurgent currency in modern times is Keep Calm And Carry On, and that is the best way to cope with the pandemic.
Panicking will not help anyone, but preparation will. Doing all we can to minimise the spread of infection is a start, and in the event of any of us contracting the illness, we must isolate ourselves from the workplace and public areas as per medical advice.
The pandemic will have wider ramifications for businesses, who will struggle further in already trying times if they are hit by major staff absences due to swine flu.
But by being calm and following advice, we can all do our bit to minimise the impact across the board and ensure the problem is dealt with in the best possible way.
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