This morning I sat in stunned amazement while a spokesperson from the World Health Organisation talked about Swine Flu. He actually didn’t say a single thing for at least ten minutes. Finally CBC NewsWorld went back to the anchor desk, realizing that he was talking in circles and not really giving any information other than they (WHO) were aware of Flu outbreak.
I am not joking, this spokesman using a well modulated monotone to keep the world from freaking out over Swine Flu never said a thing. He managed to call it a Swine Flu but then said it was not Swine Flu. This is not a Pandemic but is like a Pandemic. What is that? The fact that there were multiple cases in Canada, USA, Mexico and symptoms in a couple of other countries doesn’t mean it is a Pandemic. The fact that there has been about sixteen deaths apparently does not seem to matter. The American Centre for Disease Control had tested patients and had confirmed that these were “Swine Flu” like symptoms. Canada and Mexico have done the same.
What I keep wondering is when will the World Health Organisation actually give us lowly plebes a straight answer? I can understand their concern not wanting to spread hysteria around the globe but why set up a news conference to spread a bunch of double talk. Leave that to the professionals, our elected officials.
I sat there fixated on this spokesman, wondering if I was listening properly. When CBC cut away in the what appeared to be the middle of his talk, I could tell that the News Anchor and I were both hearing the same thing. Absolutely nothing at all was being said. The Anchor appeared as annoyed as I had become.
It really reminded me of an old comedy skit about CNN. The camera is set up with a microphone at a closed screen door. CNN keeps cutting to a live feed on the door because something or someone may make an announcement. Nothing ever happens but they keep cutting back to over and over again.
I have to give credit to CBC for cutting away and not wasting our time. I look forward to actually get some real information on the “Non Swine-Swine Flu”.
