Swine Update

Guadalajara, Mexico

A few days ago, a restaurant owner shared his Swine Flu conspiracy theory with me. He was certain that the government (I think he was referring to the man, or el hombre) was whipping up a Swine Flu frenzy in order to distract the population from the bad economy. He argued that the economic crisis was at a point where people’s desperation was about to become violent. This at a time when the U.S. State Department, much to the chagrin of their southern neighbors, placed Mexico on their list of potential failed states – right next to Pakistan! The restaurant owner believed, with this new diversion we will all band together in a touching display of humanity to fight the piggy pandemic. A pandemic, he felt, that did not actually exist. Aside from the obvious gaping holes in his theory (for example the devastating hit the Mexican economy is taking in the loss of billions of tourist dollars), it is an interesting theory. At least, it was until the Swine Flu hit Jalisco.

As of this morning, the number of reported cases of Swine Flu in Jalisco has mounted to 26 and there are now three possible cases of death by the flu. Schools were closed last week as a precautionary measure and the government was set to let learning continue Monday of this week. Now with the mounting cases and casualties, the government has declared that all schools in Jalisco must close until Monday, 18th. It is 90 degrees here and it feels like “school’s out for summer!” However, access to the summer blockbusters has been denied. Two days ago, there was a diagram in the paper that demonstrated the new protocol for cinema seating. Three empty seats must be between each person in every direction; meaning in a 16 seat area, four people would be seated. As of today the cinemas, bars, clubs, all public spaces, etc. have been closed until the 18th. One can only imagine the economic impact of this decision.

Personally, I do not think there is cause for alarm; conspiracy theories yes, but alarm, no. My husband, Carter, is a teacher, so the shutting down of our schools and city gives us bigger things to ponder, like what to do with all this time off. As I mentioned, it is 90 degrees and nothing is open, I think we will head to the beach. Vamos a la playa! Viva Mexico!

Swine Flu Stew

Guadalajara, Mexico

I feel I need to preface this post by saying that I am deeply sorry for the deaths that the Swine Flu has caused. That being said, I would be crazy not to take advantage of pork being on sale due to the international finger pointing at an unsuspecting Wilbur.

My first sense of the seriousness of the outbreak was when Mexico City mandated that soccer games would be played in empty stadiums. Closing schools and limiting travel is one thing, but denying Mexican soccer fans of their right to congregate, cheer and sing shirtless amongst each other was another thing. This is serious. I am in Guadalajara; a five hour drive from Mexico City, the epicenter of the “Influenza H1N1 Pandemic.” Although there are still no reported cases of the Swine Flu in Guadalajara, all precautions have been taken: schools are closed, restaurants are only open for take-out, the doors of cinemas and public meeting places are shut until further notice, and the ubiquitous surgical mask is the newest fashion statement.

People are being careful, but not irrational. Al pastor is the taco of choice in the state of Jalisco. Al pastor refers to spit grilled meat in the style of Turkish döner or Lebanese shwarma. In Mexico, the vertical spinning meat popsicle is always made of pork. Since the Swine Flu outbreak, I have yet to see an empty spit. It is good to see people still sucking down the hog with no fear. It is also a relief to see that Mexican’s are taking the international crisis with a bit of humor. A friend spotted a bronze statue of a man fitted with a surgical face mask in the middle of the city center of Guanajuato. I have come across several twenty peso notes on which concerned citizens have taken the careful precaution of covering Benito Juárez’s immortalized mug with a surgical mask. A large poster was plastered on a wall near the university picturing an audience of pigs watching TV, below it read: “Vaccinate This.” I am not exactly sure what that means, but I am sure it is funny to someone.

We do not have a TV and I have stayed far away from what I am sure is an extremely sensational news story – I can just imagine Fox News’s panic inducing special report on “Porky Pig Pandemic!” It is a time like this that shows how shock and fear are so totally isolating. It is the solidarity of humor that I find so refreshing. It is something people can share and bond over; have a good giggle while perhaps eating a plate of freshly assembled street-side tacos al pastor.