Twitter Considered Harmful To Swine-Flu Panic

judgecorp writes "Twitter is being criticized for spreading panic about swine flu. This is not just knee-jerk Luddism 2.0: it's argued that Twitter's structure encourages ill-informed repetition, with little room for context, while older Web media use their power for good — for instance Google's Flu Trends page (which we discussed last winter), and the introduction of a Google swine flu map." On a related note, reader NewtonsLaw suggests that it might be a good idea, epidemiologically speaking, to catch the flu now vs. later.

Comments

Re:A better idea

[geekoid]

"Most people who die from influenza die from subsequent bacterial pneumonia, not from acute viral infection."
Not in 1918, bucko. the Spanish Flu aka H1N1, killed via Cytokine storm.

Yes H1N1 the same one that is causing the current concern.

All that the Navy would have to do is educate the population about hygiene. That would minimize it right there.

Once again I must point out you're a moron that doesn't know WTF they are talking about.

People like you are far worse then anything that happens on Twitter.