Swine flu in Japan

So we've been dealing with swine flu here in Japan for a while now and many people have become infected. Japanese people basically flip out when it comes to stuff like this, apparently. It's a country where even cab drivers wear white gloves to keep everything clean. It is also customary to wear a mask if you are sick, feeling like you might get sick, or even if you aren't sick. In short, everyone here has freaked out about the swine flu.

Events have been canceled, airlines have quarantined people from other countries, masks have sold out on several occasions and so on and so on. Here in Ubuyama, there have not been any cases yet, but it has gotten to small communities in this area now. So far, relating to my life personally, they have canceled the exchange program between Ubuyama and Thailand (both ways), canceled my summer English camp at the beach and flooded my desk (and my head) with announcements about the virus.

When swine flu first came to Japan they called it "buta influenza" or "pig flu" just as in the rest of the world. But about a month after this name became popular the Japanese government thought that associating the flu with pork products might lead to fewer sales of the delicious meat, so they changed the name to "shingata influenza" or "new flu." It was really annoying because I had to learn a whole new word and I liked having the pig mascot leading the flu epidemic. The jokes I made were more fun too. Oh well...



Here is a display in your typical drug store. The sign right in the middle is for masks.


Airline security set up heat detecting cameras to catch and quarantine people with fevers. Foreigners, especially, were targeted in this, sometimes even while traveling domestically. It was ridiculous. Eventually people became annoyed by this unfair treatment and the person in charge of the operation came out saying that she knew all along it wasn't going to be effective. She said it was all a show, basically, to make it look like they were fighting the flu hard.

As the flu got closer and closer to Ubuyama, public buildings (everywhere) starting placing hand sanitizer at entryways. These are the ones at my school:

I also noticed that soap showed up at the spigots outside the building.
Despite all of the efforts, nothing will stop the flu, I'm afraid. That, beyond anything, is what Japanese people (and everyone else) need to realize. People will get it, people will die, and, yes people should wash their hands more, but please just chill out people. Quit canceling fun, educational and important events already! Especially ones where I get to go to the beach!!!