Swine Flu Stirred Profits, but Fewer Deaths than Predicted

In 2009, President Barack Obama’s science advisers warned the virus could infect up to 120 million Americans and kill 90,000. Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) predicted H1N1 could infect two billion and claim hundreds of thousands of lives worldwide.

So far, the dreaded flu has killed a confirmed 14,711 around the world. The exact total in the U.S. is unclear, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirming 4,000 deaths, but estimating up to 16,500 in case of underreporting. These numbers are not only smaller than what was predicted but also are far less than the normal mortality rate for ordinary flu seasons.

The public was driven to hysteria by the warnings from politicians of a Swine Flu H1N1 flu pandemic. They reassured us that they would provide an adequate supply of vaccine and would save us all.  The shortage of vaccine produced more hysteria. Turns out the predictions were wrong and the touted epidemic was mostly a bust. The public is now looking to these same despots to oversee their medical care.