The last year’s drop in pork prices was not due to hysteria over influenza. In New Mexico and Texas at least, it had more to do with the cost of feeding the animals. Corn, which is a staple in commercial pig feed, spiked last year and this year due in part to ethanol related demand. Meanwhile the cost of fuel last year affected the cost of shipping feed and of bringing animals to market. Yet the cost of labor remained constant. So a lot of pig farmers had to offload their animals at a loss or else go out of business.

I’m resisting the H1N1 label. It is a swine influenza, just as the last big scare was a bird influenza. Hiding the facts in order to keep the ignorant masses from becoming hysterical perpetuates both the hysteria and the ignorance that allows it. It also delays a long overdue global discussion on biosecurity.

I don’t think anyone actually believes you can catch any influenza virus by eating pork. But we do have to start talking about biosecurity because our global human and animal population is growing and becoming more dense. It’s also high time to address some dirty little secrets of the meat industry, such as slaughter and distribution of sick animals.

@Lisa: Excellent point on maintaining overall health. Several readers have shared with me the benefits of Vitamin D, specifically D-3.

While it is possible to get some Vitamin D from foods (fortified milk, egg yolks, fish, etc.), it seems the best way to increase your level of Vitamin D is to get a little sunlight exposure each day. Explains why flu tends to ramp up in the winter.

One thing I would stress would be to pay attention to your diet and over-all level of health. If you eat a balanced, super-nutritional diet — supplement with natural/clean sources of immune-boosting items (things like green tea, echinacea), and pay attention to reducing your over-all stress levels, your body is better prepared to fight off infection. Works for my family, anyway.

One thing I have found with stocking up on things you suggest like expectorants and ibubrofen is that I never get around to using it until it has expired. Then it is just a waste of money. As we live 30 minutes from a pharmacy or grocery store, I do try to keep some around, but in smaller quantities.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/04/30/pork.industry.impact/index.html

I tend to agree with her and the comments above.

I won’t be getting the shot unless I see convincing evidence to support it.

Oh…and thanks for the mention this week. An honor.