If you haven't heard about the new flu epidemic, then obviously something is wrong with you. Because it is everywhere. The media is hyping up this 'new' virus with the strength of a million men, mostly to the effect of paranoia and fear. After all, the symptoms of the new H1N1 virus are strikingly similar to those of the regular flu. Don't be alarmed! Saying that, this issue is a bit close to heart for the author: I'm due to travel to Mexico in a few weeks for a vacation. Unless they close the borders, I'm going, and this viewpoint helps to put a clear, don't-worry-be-happy viewpoint on this whole issue. However, it still stands that there are 2, 400 suspected infections and 150 deaths from the new flu virus; only 26 of the infections and seven deaths have been laboratory-confirmed, though. That fact hasn't stopped countries like Argentina and Cuba from banning flights to Mexico. Japan refuses to give visas to visiting Mexicans, and France is trying to get a suspension of fights between Mexico and the European Union. America has not yet taken the extreme position of blocking the borders, although it was discussed with Congress on Wednesday. Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano said that the U.S. has no plans to close the borders, with the agreement of both WHO and the CDC in Atlanta. Scientists say that closing the border would have little effect: Ira Longini, a biostatistician at the University of Washington, says that "once the virus has spread beyond its initial focus, travel restrictions just aren't effective." On top of that, you must consider the economic results if airfare is canceled to and from Mexico; there is about 4,000 flights between the U.S. and Mexico occur daily. "It's not worth the social disruption it would cause," Longini continues. Based on how 'international' our world truly is, there is not practicality in shutting off a country completely. And, according to Orbitz, people are still booking their trips to Mexico, creating a new type of risk-taker. Links About This Flu (and Mexico): How to Deal with Swine Flu: Heeding the Mistakes of 1976 Live From Mexico: Avoiding Swine Flu While Working on That Tan Google Maps- Tracking H1N1 Cases