» Swine Flu: Overhyped
Phil Mills reports on swine flu, a more relaxed Mexico, and the anti-war demonstration
The swine flu pandemic has been hyped out of proportion by TV news channels, according to a Hove woman living in Mexico where the outbreak has claimed more than 100 lives. Ronnie Barker and her husband Tony have their own company repairing and managing yachts in the scenic holiday resort of Bucerias on the Pacific coast.
Ronnie Barker and husband Tony
She told Latest 7 how her niece and two friends had cancelled plans to visit her because of the scare and how all nightclubs in the area had been shut down, but she said people generally were now much more relaxed. Mrs Barker, who worked in newspapers in the UK, said: “The panic is winding down here, or so it appears, and we all have the feeling that 24-hour news channels had a field day out of this. “Yes, there have been deaths but how many people die from any old flu annually – without any media interest?”
Mrs Barker, whose 82-year-old mother lives in Hove, said people were taking sensible precautions with sports events and cinemas closed but life was slowly returning to normal. “Mexican families are enjoying themselves on the beach, but perhaps not as many as would normally be expected, and college students have not arrived from out of the area, no doubt due to the closure of all nightclubs and public events.
“Yes, there have been deaths but how many people die from any old flu?”
“Supermarket staff, most of the time, are letting their face masks dangle around their necks now but they have someone wiping the handles of trolleys before customers take them. “There are mobile medical units at various places on the main highway making random checks and, at the airport, passengers have to complete medical questionnaires and have their temperatures taken before they are allowed to check in.
“Bank staff have been issued with lightweight cotton masks – I tried buying some at four pharmacies here but all had sold out.
I ended up with a heavy-duty mask bought from a paint shop.” Mrs Barker, 49, said her area of Mexico was clear of flu cases but some people were taking no chances: “We have had two clients who were due to visit their boats here but have now cancelled and another who is bringing their boat back here as quickly as possible so they can abandon ship and leave the country.”
She added: “We have been impressed with the action taken by the Mexican Government and local authorities – but not some of the hyped media reports.”
Unjustified violence
These dramatic pictures of the anti-war demonstration in Brighton on May Day were captured by Southern News and Pictures photographer Darren Cool.
A small minority of demonstrators caused flashpoints of violence during what was otherwise a peaceful protest by Smash EDO against a Brighton-based defence manufacturer.
City police said up to 50 of the 500 protesters threw missiles, hurled verbal abuse and shoved police to provoke officers into retaliating.
Brighton and Hove police commander, Chief Supt Graham Bartlett said: “We saw unjustified acts of violence aimed at premises and police officers, with some officers receiving minor injuries. Members of the public including many visitors to the city were clearly frightened and intimidated by a small minority of the group who have been verbally abusive, and throwing missiles at police.”
“One member of public was struck in the face by a missile and had to be treated by a police medical team. “Paint has been thrown at and daubed on a number of premises and a window at a boutique in Market Street was broken. There were also reports of wanton criminal damage taking place. “This is a tough time for businesses and this additional disruption, coupled with these criminal acts, can only impact even more on vital commerce and tourism in the city.”
