We’ve gotten a couple of emails and texts inquiring about whether or not the wedding plans are still in place given the recent Swine Flu warnings. We’ve spoken with folks living in Baja California and Cabo and feel confident that there is no reason to change our plans. Below is the response from the InterContinental Presidente in regards to our inquiry.
What I can tell you is that here in Los Cabos, we have managed to stay safe from Swine Flu. This means Los Cabos is safer than California, Texas, Kansas, New York, and other states who have reported confirmed cases of Swine Flu.
Facts
FACT: As of today (April 28, 2009), there have only been 26 laboratory confirmed cases of swine flu in the entire country of Mexico. And there have been 64 laboratory confirmed cases in the U.S.!
FACT: A total of 0 of those cases occurred in Los Cabos. A total of 0 of those cases occurred in the entire state of Baja Sur (where Los Cabos is located).
FACT: Although the media is reporting that “152 people have died” in Mexico, these deaths have not been confirmed cases of Swine Flu.
FACT: US President Barack Obama today began a speech imploring Americans not to be alarmed and reminding the globe that both the U.S. and Mexico have sophisticated and well-coordinated systems in place to control and mediate the spread of any disease.
FACT: What the media ISN’T telling you is that 36,000 Americans die each year from the ordinary, regular and common seasonal flu. So although we are right to be alarmed by any contagious disease, particularly one like this which appears to be transmitted from human-to-human, so far, even the World Health Organization (WHO) has NOT recommended a travel alert, stating “WHO advises no restriction of regular travel or closure of borders.”
View this publishing on WHO’s website at: www.who.int/csr/don/2009_04_27/en/index.html.
FACT: Swine flu is a type of influenza, or flu, that originated in pigs. This strain has been transmitted to humans and from human-to-human. That’s why the media jumped on it; the occurrence of a flu of this type is out of the ordinary.
FACT: This swine flu is very similar to ordinary seasonal flu in that it appears to respond to antiviral treatment and transmission can be prevented with a few simple steps. In other words, wash your hands (in hot water) or use alcohol-based hand cleaners on a regular basis (70% alcohol strength), cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing and discard the tissue, and wipe down surfaces that may have been touched by anyone carrying germs with an alcohol-based cleaner, too. These are ordinary safety precautions, effective even to prevent the common cold!
FACT: Swine Flu is safer than your car! Keeping all of this perspective, in the U.S. alone, there are well over 100 deaths every single day caused by automobile related accidents. With Swine Flu, the odds are far less and chances for recovery are far greater. If you are thinking about not traveling due to Swine Flu, then you should probably refrain from driving too!
Map of No Swine Flu in Cabo April 30
Many people do not fully comprehend the geographical location and isolation of Los Cabos. Did you know that the closest reports of “possible” Swine Flu are 1,000+ miles by car from Los Cabos? Depending where you may live in the United States (or elsewhere) in the world, geographically speaking, you may be far SAFER in Los Cabos. We are unsure why the world media’s standards and ethics allow for such lax labeling of Mexico, yet standards remain strict and detailed in reports about the U.S..
Now, that isn’t to say that Los Cabos is immune from the disease. I’m only pointing out the facts. As of today, April 28th, 2009, there are NO REPORTED CASES of Swine Flu here in Los Cabos, or in the entire state on Baja California Sur, Mexico, the peninsula state where Los Cabos is located.
In Los Cabos, the sun is still shining and the Sea of Cortez is heating up after a mild winter. We assembled this list of facts to help you ease your mind and enjoy your trip safely and securely.
We hope that puts some of the concerns at ease. I know that the cases of Swine Flu are much higher in Mexico City, so for those of you with a long layover in Mexico City, you may want to contact your airline to see if you can have your flight re-routed through a different city. If you do decide that the trip isn’t worth the risk, we promise we won’t hate you. We just might not speak to you for a little. :) Just kidding! We’ll understand, but want you to know that you’ll be VERY MISSED!
Posted on April 30th, 2009 by Jill Okawa Fletcher
Filed under: Wedding