Master D runs away from the Swine Flu. Greetings from Captiva, Florida! Master D and I have been visiting my parents here for two weeks and we were supposed to hop a plane tomorrow. The plan was to land in New York long enough to pick up a rental car and whisk Mr. E off to Providence to visit his new niece. The presents are purchased, the hotel room reserved, my hair is highlighted, our outfits are ironed.
But Mr. E started mentioning the swine flu, and at first I changed the subject because I hate bad news. Then I watched CNN and thought about my toddler on an airplane, in New York (with many confirmed cases), and all of us near a new baby. And I started to worry. Soon, my head was swimming with images of Master D throwing up, both of us dangerously sick, all alone back in Ohio. Then, of course, I worried that D would meet the same fate as the poor toddler from Mexico who died while visiting relatives in Texas and panicked. I made calls to cancel our trip and made other arrangements to get home by car.
The statistics make me feel like a worrywart, when the numbers are so low and the chance of catching swine flu is so small. But it’s still a chance I can’t afford to take. The trouble is, this kid is the whole world. No matter how small the risk, it is worth avoiding if it means he will be that much safer. Then again, I get in a car with him everyday when I know that car accidents kill more people than the swine flu. So the question is, when should you worry and when do you just have to live?
But Mr. E started mentioning the swine flu, and at first I changed the subject because I hate bad news. Then I watched CNN and thought about my toddler on an airplane, in New York (with many confirmed cases), and all of us near a new baby. And I started to worry. Soon, my head was swimming with images of Master D throwing up, both of us dangerously sick, all alone back in Ohio. Then, of course, I worried that D would meet the same fate as the poor toddler from Mexico who died while visiting relatives in Texas and panicked. I made calls to cancel our trip and made other arrangements to get home by car.
The statistics make me feel like a worrywart, when the numbers are so low and the chance of catching swine flu is so small. But it’s still a chance I can’t afford to take. The trouble is, this kid is the whole world. No matter how small the risk, it is worth avoiding if it means he will be that much safer. Then again, I get in a car with him everyday when I know that car accidents kill more people than the swine flu. So the question is, when should you worry and when do you just have to live?
Hi Mama G! It is so great to hear from you and see Master D enjoying his vacation in Florida. I just posted about the swine flu with a link to a letter from Dr. Cohen. Mr. T, Miss L and I are going to fly to SF on Saturday morning. I definitely can relate to the fine balance of worrying and living your life! I would say fly, but I don't want to be blamed if you come down with the flu!!
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