Flu Season

It’s flu season and the media is hysterical. There are maps, articles and stories, about its scope, dangers and scarcity of treatment.

Last night a reporter described the severity of the strain, the speed of the outbreak and the shortage of treatment options. Then, with a sense of bewilderment, she said hospitals are overcrowded with people who don’t really need a doctor.

Seriously?

It’s like announcing to a crowded theater that an explosive device has been found, then wondering why everyone is trampling each other to escape a firecracker.

Sensationalizing the news has been around since the penny press. The need to attract an audience has always tempted reporters to juice up a story. But the introduction of the 24 hour news cycle seems to have turned it into an addiction.

But it’s not all their fault. We feed on it. Day after day, checking on line, turning it on at night, listening on the radio, consuming hours of hysteria laden stories about the economy, the debt ceiling, the fiscal cliff, and the FLU!

I think we all need to detox. Turn it off. Take a deep breath. And calm down.

We shouldn't bury our heads in the sand. Things happen in the world we need to be aware of, things we should care about and even respond to.

We should also have the sense to know when to turn it off and go for a walk. After all, a health body helps you fight off the flu.