Two hypochondriacs and Tamiflu

Answer: Mass hysteria, and possibly a full on punch on over the Tammiflu. Chances are it wouldn't be much of a punch on, what with all the non-contact premise. Plus breaking up the fight will be really easy: stand in the middle and just sneeze.

I'm taking it a bit too far with the hypochondriacs, but lets think about this - awareness vs mass-hype-turned-wrong. There is a difference: Being aware means that you take the proper precautions to ensure that you have the proper defense mechanisms to eliminate or limit your susceptibility to get sick.

Mass-hype-turned-wrong: THIS is awareness at a different level. Mad rush to get face masks, socially avoiding anyone holding a tissue to their nose, inept at hiding their disgust when they hear a sniffle or a sneeze a mile away. Not only that, this person suddenly wakes up one morning, and becomes a fully qualified medical practitioner:

Anonymous person #1: Man, such a long day.... Gotta check my emails when I get back to my desk. I've got such a headache, and...
Mass-hype-turned-wrong Person: You've got swine flu.

Anonymous person #2: Ah, the long weekend was great. Went to a really nice mexican bistro and...
Mass-hype-turned-wrong Person: You've got swine flu.

Anonymous person #3: Hey man, how's things?
Mass-hype-turned-wrong Person: You've got swine flu. Oh, and I'm doing great. And I don't have swine flu. But you do. Get away from me.

Man, if this guy was running a general practice, he will be making millions in a single day, writing out Tamiflu perscriptions.

With the number of confirmed cases, its hard to ignore it, what with the media really milking the situation. You literally get updates by the minute, almost as bad as Paris Hilton's twitter.

Last note: I'm cautious, but at the same time aware that there are more deaths due to the flu in this year alone in comparison to the swine flu. I really feel that we have to be aware, but at the same time know that mass hysteria is not necessary. We're turning into a bunch of whingers, and as a result putting pressure on the health system. I don't think I can sleep at night if I knew I went to the hospital emergency department for what I thought was the swine flu, and took the spot away from someone that really needed medical care.