So far I havn't heard of any negro people getting the virus? Nor any asians or whites getting any serious symptoms like the hispanics. This does look very suspicious indeed :-/

OMFG - 200 deaths in Mexico alone? INCLUDING 2 INTERNS?

This is serious and is spreading like wildfire. A lot of people are going to die.

Does anyone here know whats best to do in these situations? Would you advise I leave London or is it safer to just stay indoors etc?

Originally posted by spec_ops_wannabe
I would suggest a full quarantine of the Mexican nation, however brutal that may be. No one leaves Mexico until it is lifted, no exports, nothing can leave.

Things can go in and regular communications can be made to and from there, just that no one leaves or any material goods under any circumstances.

I would expect that things here in the US can more easily be contained with following proper procedures. While we move to contain things leaving Mexico, we can send in needed personnel, supplies, money, etc. until they can get this thing under control down there.

Right on man! Nuke dem sons a -- (sarcasm)

Wow, that idea almost seems logical, I mean, so far DOZENS have died, clearly now is the time to ignore state sovereignty (ultra sarcasm)

Originally posted by Highground


Oh, yes there would. The Mexicans in particular would have a stronger immune system because of several reasons. Their drinking water is infected with tons of disease, their immune systems would have had to build up and adapt to fight off the pathogens that could exist there. Also, I'm pretty sure vaccinations and such are not as widespread over there as they are in America, for instance. This would mean that the immune systems would, yet again, have to be stronger, to fight off the viruses that we are normally immune to (ie Flu). Their standards of living may very well be responsible for them having a stronger immune system.

Hmmm not sure about that. I've been to lots of places in Mexico, some good, some bad - but the water was always fine and not 'full of diseases' they just advise you not to drink it if your coming from the US/Europe etc because of the different mineral composition etc - which can cause stomach upset.

Trust me - their water is pretty fine - if they didn't treat it it would carry cholera and diphtheria in no time - and no matter how good your immune system, you wouldn't last long drinking that.

I can see the standard of living being an issue in some parts of mexico - but this was in Mexico City, where most people live pretty well (on the grand scale of things) - it's pretty civilised with good healthcare, sanitation etc - better than some US cities in fact.

I've also travelled extensively in the US, and know that there are a lot of inner city environments where living conditions are practically 3rd world. For example - consider what would happen if the virus were to get into Compton, East LA or parts of the South East?

I'm not having a go at you or in any way suggesting any bias in your comments, I just don't think this is the right explanation here. I think something else is at work.

Maybe something to do with the virus, but also maybe a lifestyle thing too - what else do we know about the people who have been infected?

Originally posted by thegagefather

Originally posted by spec_ops_wannabe
I would suggest a full quarantine of the Mexican nation, however brutal that may be. No one leaves Mexico until it is lifted, no exports, nothing can leave.

Things can go in and regular communications can be made to and from there, just that no one leaves or any material goods under any circumstances.

I would expect that things here in the US can more easily be contained with following proper procedures. While we move to contain things leaving Mexico, we can send in needed personnel, supplies, money, etc. until they can get this thing under control down there.

Right on man! Nuke dem sons a -- (sarcasm)

When a country is sending it's diseased population across your border and risking the lives of potentially thousands of your citizens, you do what you have to and f""k their soverignty.

They have an obligation to control their own populus and keep this shizzle under wraps. They have failed, blockade them I say.

Seriously - if it turned out this thing was so bad it was a threat to all humanity, we really should nuke them before it gets out of control, and I'm being serious here too.


[edit on 26-4-2009 by Dutty_Rag]

[edit on 26-4-2009 by Dutty_Rag]

Originally posted by Dutty_Rag
Hmmm not sure about that. I've been to lots of places in Mexico, some good, some bad - but the water was always fine and not 'full of diseases' they just advise you not to drink it if your coming from the US/Europe etc because of the different mineral composition etc - which can cause stomach upset.

Trust me - their water is pretty fine - if they didn't treat it it would carry cholera and diphtheria in no time - and no matter how good your immune system, you wouldn't last long drinking that.

I can see the standard of living being an issue in some parts of mexico - but this was in Mexico City, where most people live pretty well (on the grand scale of things) - it's pretty civilised with good healthcare, sanitation etc - better than some US cities in fact.

I've also travelled extensively in the US, and know that there are a lot of inner city environments where living conditions are practically 3rd world. For example - consider what would happen if the virus were to get into Compton, East LA or parts of the South East?

I'm not having a go at you or in any way suggesting any bias in your comments, I just don't think this is the right explanation here. I think something else is at work.

Maybe something to do with the virus, but also maybe a lifestyle thing too - what else do we know about the people who have been infected?

And I may be wrong. I was just speculating, I've never been to Mexico, personally. I just remember some things I've heard from friends that have been there. Thanks for the insight. As I say, I like to be proven wrong, it's a learning experience. Now - I think there's a reason their immune systems would be stronger. I just can't put my finger on it.

The Spanish Flu... Was it from Spain, and was the death toll there considerably larger or smaller than anywhere else? Perhaps they are just more succeptable to certain strains than anyone else because of genetic characteristics.

"JUST IN -- Local authorities say that 6 more people have died from suspected swine flu in Mexico, which would raise the death toll to 92"

From Twitter...it would appear that for whatever reason,the mortality rate is increasing?

I'm officially worried now.

As awful as this might sound, these quick and sudden deaths actually have a tinge of optimism. If the virus is killing a large % of those that it infects so very quickly, it's going to be a very short-lived virus. Viruses need live bodies to infect, and these live infected bodies need to be not-on-death's-doorstep to then spread the virus to other live bodies and so forth. The reason the typical influenza season lasts so long is that for the most part, people get infected, feel crappy but still go to work, church, malls, etc. while they are contagious, pass it on to 4-5 other people, they pass it on to 4-5 more people, etc. - and only a very small % of the total population dies. If a virus was smart, it would infect but not kill. The reason ebola, SARS, even avian flu hasn't become a pandemic comes from the fact that people die before they can pass on the virus in mass quantities to other people.