What The Hell?

Ok, so I don't watch the news often for a couple of reasons...First, it's not as entertaining as the stupid crap I watch, and second, I don't really have time. But for the last couple of days I have been hearing about this "swine flu" thing and I have to say that I am pissed.
I mean, I get it- world wide spread of a new strain of influenza that has apparently originated with pigs... I think I have the pandemic thing down. But what I don't understand is this- Why is everyone freaking the ____ out? I get that babies and elderly people can die from the flu. But isn't that something that we go through every winter? I keep hearing about the symptoms of this demonic new bug; sore throat, fever, muscle aches, goes away in a week. I DON'T UNDERSTAND. I even saw Dr. Oz from Oprah on ABC and he was supposed to answer all of our questions. I thought, oh thank G-d, it's Dr. Oz, a familiar face, he's never led me astray. His advice- use hand sanitizer and prepare to not be able to leave your homes. WHAT?
Here is the deal. All I want to know is whether or not I need to go stock pile food, buy a WWII gas mask, and prepare for mayhem or not. Either say that it is the flu and you might get the sniffles, or say to frickin panic and kiss your ass goodbye. I can't stand not being able to weed through the media propaganda and it is exhausting. I would rather sit here and watch Family Guy- with or without my gas mask.

My favorite quote from this whole shenanigan- the head of the Israeli health department has declared that they will call it "Mexican Flu" instead of "Swine Flu" because the Swine Flu wouldn't be kosher. Seriously? Are they going to pretend that they didn't get infected by a virus that originated from a filthy animal? cracks me up. Rename it and it'll be better. In that case, I declare we call it, "Doesn't leave Mexico flu".