Mexico and the reticular cortex

It doesn't take a genius to figure out that Pig Sickness aka swine flu seems to only affect people who hopped a jet to Mexico or Mexifornia recently.  It's also pretty obvious that most people who come down with it recover on their own quickly.

What if the media never reported any Pig Sickness?

Stop and think about it.  Would the person with body aches and a fever think anything of it?  Or would they just pass it off as the common flu, rest up, eat chicken soup, and get better?

The only reason so many cases are being reported is that people are now automatically assuming every cough and sneeze is an indication of swine flu!  And for some people it is.  But how do we know, really, that this isn't something that has been going on for a lot longer?  Is it really "pandemic" just because our timeline started this month?

In some parts of the world, it is spring.  Pollen season.  You know, "hay fever" and such.  And sometimes you eat a bad hotdog.  And sometimes you play a little too hard and get sore shoulders.  Normally you would not assume any exotic illness for experiencing these symptoms.  But now you probably would.  That part of your brain, the reticular cortex has been activated.  It is now seeking out anything to do with Pig Sickness.  I bet you can't look at a picture of a pig without thinking about it.  You can't wipe snot from your nose without wondering if you're passing something.

Break free.  Turn off the TV, radio, and news sites.  Participate in no discussion of this Pig Illness.  And it will just go away.