Swine Flu

07/27/09

I don’t know what is happening in the rest of the world, but in Samoa “Sine Flu” is the topic de jour. To date sixty-seven cases are reported, three of whom are from my island of Savaii, all from the same Mormon high school. Hospitals are swamped with people. The anti-viral drug, Tamiflu is available to Peace Corps Volunteers with instructions to start taking it 48 hours days of fever, vomiting, and diarrhea. Consumption of pork is down. People are wearing masks designed to filter asbestos fibers, not microbial viruses. Schools are closed. Meetings are cancelled. People are sleeping late. All is normal here.

Note: The cost of Tamiflu to Samoans is $3.50 USD.