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The Travel Detective Responds to Joe Biden and His Panic-causing Swine Flu Advisory

Natural Disasters — on April 30, 2009 12:12 pm

Joe BidenIs it an abundance of caution, or an abundance of panic and fear?

An epidemic or an “infodemic?”

What constitutes responsible action at a time when fear prevails?

And is the action responsible in context of prudent preventive medical practices?

Or is the action a direct result of an economic reaction to a financial crisis?

Hint: These may all be rhetorical questions.

Related links on PeterGreenberg.com:

It’s been argued—and the last week serves as at least partial confirmation—that Americans are among the most fearful travelers in the world.

Virus closeupMore than 100 cases in the U.S. of swine flu (aka- H1N1 influenza) and one confirmed death has created a negative reaction of staggering proportions as well as some inflammatory statements from some folks who should know better.

Perception versus reality is the name of the game, and as travelers and reasonably intelligent citizens, we may be losing.

You’ve already read my comments yesterday on the historical context of so-called health emergencies around the world—and what really happened.

I would be irresponsible to suggest that governments and medical authorities should ignore the flu or treat its possible spread lightly. But I would also be irresponsible to suggest the sky is falling.

This morning on the Today show, Vice President Joe Biden said he would advise Americans to avoid confined spaces like planes and subways.

Today show logoIs he kidding? And while the White House later tried to backpedal and qualify Biden’s remarks that he was only referring to sick people, the damage was done.

Speaking of the Today show, the network postponed its “Today Takes a Vacation” series scheduled for next week because of flu fears. Again, perception versus reality.

In Europe, foreign airlines appealed to the European Union for permission to cancel all their flights to Mexico and many to North America. The real reason wasn’t the medical emergency, but the economic fallout from the perceived crisis: empty planes.

Cruise lines canceled all Mexican port calls and diverted their ships to other destinations.

And what am I going to do? I’m going to Mexico!

No, I will not be wearing a hazmat suit. But I’ll be flying down on comfortable, empty planes, staying in empty hotels, enjoying a nice fruity beverage on a deserted Mexican beach. And so should you, with the proper medical caveats and a large dose of common sense.

Peter photoHowever, I need to be clear about something. I do not define my job—and in fact I have NEVER defined my job as promoting travel, or as a marketing partner with any airline, hotel or cruise line.

I define my job as finding out the truth in travel, and then presenting you with credible information that allows you to make intelligent choices about your travels.

And I am doing so now. The Vice President sent the wrong message, and so did the Today show.

Think clearly. Think logically. Do the math. Understand your own medical history. Practice good personal hygiene. And then—whether you’re in the middle of a possible swine flu outbreak or anything short of the plague—you can travel.

This is not about getting a great deal (although a check of some Web sites shows airfare from the U.S. to Cancun as low as $71 each way, and considering the law of supply and demand, it’s certainly a strong incentive). This is really all about being smart in the face of unsupported fear.

By Peter S. Greenberg for PeterGreenberg.com.

Related links on PeterGreenberg.com:

  • thank you

    Thank you, thank you, thank you. This swine flu thing has been blown WAY out of proportion. THank you for being brave enough to say what most of us know… and I know you are always on the Today Show, so thank you for being honest about your feelings regarding their reporting as well.

  • jed

    The VP’s statement was a personal one and he clarified that. It is a new virus, not one known before like the common flu we experience every year. So it is up to the individual to decide for themselves if they want to gamble. Don’t be blowing up out of proportion what the VP said. Just be careful if you are traveling no matter what vehicle you are using. We all have been warned so we are responsible for our own actions now.

  • http://www.condoconnection.com Bob Froio

    “I define my job as finding out the truth in travel, and then presenting you with credible information that allows you to make intelligent choices about your travels”.

    Hey, and you do one HELL of a GREAT JOB Peter, thanks MUCH !!!

  • http://www.BedandBreakfast.com Marti Mayne

    Here here Peter! We at BedandBreakfast.com applaud your response to Joe Biden’s remarks on the Today Show. We watched his interview incredulously, wondering what additional blows could be paid to the travel industry. We agree, it’s not about surgical masks and staying at home this summer, it’s about common sense. Kudos to you for having plenty of it!

  • http://www.nvhotels.com Van V. Heffner

    Peter, thank you for your response as the Travel Detective to Vice President Biden’s remarks about the Swine Flu outbreak. Proper hygiene is the answer to prevention or the spreading of any kind of flu. If one has a compromised immune system, social or travel conditions are usually already discussed with his or her health care providers. The hotel and travel industry presents a safe environment for travelers from around the world. We welcome you in Nevada!

  • http://anglophilelv.blogspot.com Lauren

    Good job Peter. I am SICK of the pig flu. Have a great time in Mexico and show people what they’re missing (just don’t get caught in the crossfire of the drug cartel wars).

  • Marcia

    I just return from Myan Riveria Mexico on April 30th did 30 hotel inspections- I was there for 5 days and it was business as usual- The flu is some 1500 miles away- this is being blown way way out of portion- We should not go to the USA since the Swine Flu is here- do you hear of anyone cancelling there flights to come to the USA-
    Regards,
    Marcia

  • http://www.blueparrot.com Tom Doody

    Peter:
    We’d like to thank you for the great dose of common sense you delivered on CNN. We are using your “infodemic” quote in emails that we are sending out to our customers.

    Please make the time to swing over to Playa del Carmen and see us at the Blue Parrot Hotel and Beach Club. As Playa’s original place on the beach, we’ve been “Legendary on the Beach Since 1984.” We’ve got plenty of hotel rooms available, but hopefully that will change as more folks like you bring some logic to this media-driven disaster.

  • Margie Gostyla

    Finally, the voice of reason. I can smell fresh air above the stench of fear mongering.

  • Dorothy Darren

    Just returned from Cancun with a group of 200 people, we had a blast. No one got sick and there’s not 1 single case of swine flu in that region. The hygienic standards are pretty high.
    In regards to the comment of this being a “new virus”, that’s incorrect. It was discovered in 1930 and has been around us since then. I feel deeply for our humble and hard-working neighbors who paid the consequence of the media’s need for a new “hot story.”
    Many of whom lost their jobs due to sudden drop in hotel occupancies.
    I’m going back to Mexico! It’s safer there right now. Most of the people infected are in the US!

  • Yehudi Altman

    Thank you Peter for your intelligent reporting. At this time we need the clarity of factual information rather than the media blowing information out the door to sell newspapers or advertisment.

  • Alfonso

    I live in Mexico.

    And people outside of the country are just being told lies.
    why? I have no clue at all. Your guess is as good as mine and it’s not my intention to discuss that.

    It’s been said that over a 100 deaths have been confirmed in Mexico.
    The truth is that only 7 (yes, SEVEN) deaths in Mexico have been confirmed due to the H1N1 virus. The difference in information is so wide that it is absurd.
    This is not to say that people shouldn’t take any preventive measures, but the reaction by almost everyone is ABSOLUTELY blown out of proportion

  • http://thatluggage.com/ Dorothy Darren

    Just returned from Cancun with a group of 200 people, we had a blast. No one got sick and there’s not 1 single case of swine flu in that region. The hygienic standards are pretty high.
    In regards to the comment of this being a “new virus”, that’s incorrect. It was discovered in 1930 and has been around us since then. I feel deeply for our humble and hard-working neighbors who paid the consequence of the media’s need for a new “hot story.”
    Many of whom lost their jobs due to sudden drop in hotel occupancies.
    I’m going back to Mexico! It’s safer there right now. Most of the people infected are in the US!
    Forgot to mention good post. Can’t wait to seeing the next one!

  • http://winter-travel.org The 4 Season Travel Blog

    Peter Greenberg, I love your blog and books! And I completely agree with you in this case. It’s good to get a break from all the sensational news. I work at a travel store, and the past weeks I have sold more face masks and hand sanitizers than ever before!