NPR on the Swine Flu

Yesterday, on NPR's morning show, they discussed that the United States border with Mexico is still open, despite the Swine Flu, which seems to be at its worse in Mexico. According to the report, custom's agents pull aside people who have fevers or look sick and containing them so that they cannot spread the disease within our borders. Apparently, Congress has gotten into a small debate about this issue because some of the members would like to see the border be closed off. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano has come under some scrutiny over this issue, because it would be her choice to take action and close the border. Her answer was that the virus is already here and closing the border would not do much to help contain it. Also, she said that it would create a lot of economic issues, making it even more unnecessary. The best solution that has been offered by Homeland Security so far is the screening at the border.

In my opinion, Homeland Security really is not taking this seriously enough. I understand that in the United States we are better equipped with the resources necessary to treat the Swine Flu, but I think that if we are making such efforts to contain it and keep it from becoming an epidemic, then we need to keep as many infected people out as possible. The only person to have died on U.S. soil from this disease was someone who was visiting from Mexico. I think that it is important that the United States take necessary precautions to keep us safe, and then that we should also try to help Mexico deal with the problems that the swine flu has caused for them. They are suffering much worse than we are, but letting them into the country right now may not be the best answer.