Swine Flu : some perspective for the perspective people.

Hereʻs my two cents on the conversational phenomenon known as the swine flu. (and this isnʻt meant to be an attack on the statistics people who have been donating personal facebook and twitter space to put this into perspective for us)

The swine flu is a bummer. 200 or so people have died. Lots of others are sick, many are scared.

But since itʻs no match for the thousands that die anyway each year from the flu weʻll dismiss it from the global serial killing competition and from our things worth caring about.

Hereʻs the thing, these 200 are now feeding a greater number just like the "one" feeds the 200.

I wonder if weʻre so driven by grandeur and numerical status that we even regard small losses of human life as insignificant.

Was the death of the 23month child in Texas insignificant? I bet thereʻs a hurting family that doesnʻt think so. But who has time to care about one person.

People matter and people are counted by ones. Elderly, poor, children, just as valuable as everybody else.

Maybe thereʻs something to learn of our humanity by our reactions.

My other thought here is that since when do we hold our media and politicians with such high esteem that weʻre surprised by disproportionate slants, hype and hysteria?
Ever heard of the "Octomom" or "WMDs"?

Maybe the swine flu is the first story youʻve ever followed.
Maybe this is your first conspiracy theory.
Or maybe youʻre a regular pundit and you do this all the time.
Either way, congratulations and good luck.

Letʻs just consider the other as we address the stories going around the globe.
And maybe even think of the "one" when we offer our perspective.