In the Center of the Storm

I've never been inside a tornado, but I guess when you are in the middle you don't feel much. It is when you are off axis, when the famous substance hits the fan.

We just had a little tremor here in Chilpancingo like an hour ago. Nothing serious. For the A(H1N1) virus Mexico City is the center of the storm. It can actually kill you. I feel calm.

Is this normal?

Nothing seems to be threatening me. Nobody is at school right now. There is a nationwide school closure until May 6.

If you want to know how I feel, I am O.K. Nevertheless my brain cannot stop nagging me. Hey man, what's going on?

There will be consequences. Already some people died. More are going to get the flu, and very likely more people will die of this, all over the world. This is a global threat. I want to believe that it is a minor threat, but it is global nonetheless.

I do not feel sick at all. Chilpancingo has not been hit as much as Mexico City. But I know, that Mexico and the world will be different after this.

Here is a first effort at guessing what is coming.

More high tech labs for the Mexican federal health system.

More epidemiology studies in Mexican research institutions.

More mathematicians.

More attention from North American countries. They don't need a sick neighbor.

Lost opportunities. Mexico is spending money and loosing money because of this mini(?)pandemic.

We lost six days of classes, and had to cancel an American astronomer visit already.

And then averything is so calm outside. This is eerie.