3 Prong Fear Attack: Keeping it in Perspective: Swine Flu, Terrorism & Economic Recovery

Almost every news story over the last several days has to do with a potential pandemic, terrorism, or if there will be an economic recovery. These stories play on your fears of illness, death, and bankruptcy. While all 3 can, and do, happen everyday, it is important to keep your fears in check with the facts. This will allow you proper perspective and the ability to be cautiously aware without entering a state of full panic.

Swine Flu Pandemic

The Swine Flu has thus far claimed 152 lives in Mexico. There are approximately 50 cases of mild Swine Flu in the United States with no fatalities. The virus has been verified to exist in 11 countries with less than 300 people infected worldwide. On it’s own, the Swine Flu sounds like it is a major problem that is spreading quickly across the globe with a high mortality rate.

To put things in perspective, let’s compare it to the normal flu that most of us are familiar with. On average in the United States, approximately 5% to 20% of U.S. residents get the flu. Approximately 200,000 people are hospitalized with the flu each year. Around 36,000 Americans die from complications with the flu each year. All of these statistics come from the Center for Disease Control (CDC).

The point? The Swine Flu is a disease that should be tracked and treated seriously if contracted, just as we track and treat the flu. Today, we don’t normally see people walking around with surgeon masks trying not to catch the flu. Yet the images in the news of people wearing surgeon masks to prevent contraction of the Swine Flu are growing. As President Obama declared, “it is cause for concern, not for alarm.” With whatever you choose to do for yourself and your family, keep this information in mind, remain updated on the facts, and keep it all in perspective.

Terrorism Stories

On Monday, April 27, 2009 a Boeing 747 escorted by 2 F16 fighter jets made a low altitude pass in the lower New York City / Statue of Liberty area. The scene brought about instant memories of the 9/11 attacks. Corporate buildings were evacuated and residents panicked.

The President of Pakistan stated that Osama Bin Laden could be dead. Bin Laden hasn’t released an audiotape that could be verified by the CIA in some time.

The only 3 men to be charged in the London Train Bombings in 2005, which killed 52 people, were found not guilty this week. While no one is claiming that these men were not innocent, there is a renewed demand for an independent review of the circumstances that led to this suicide attack.

On their own, each of these news stories is a valid item to be discussed and debated in the media. When presented all together, one after the other on the news Monday and Tuesday over and over again, one would be wise to suspect that a little fear mongering is taking place. The purpose is to keep you glued to your favorite news program.

The truth is, on any day the unexpected could happen. It is also true that these events are very few and far between. Continue to be aware and observant in your everyday goings-on. However, don’t panic or feel a renewed sense that an attack is imminent. As these news stories continue to be batched together and presented with the intention of keeping you glued to the television, remember to keep it all in perspective.

The Economic Recovery

The economy runs in cycles of abundance and constriction. Right now, we are in a cycle of constriction. We’ve even recovered from the Great Depression, and several recessions since then. Why then are there so many stories making it seem as if the economy won’t recover?

Right now, the wealthy are investing their money in under valued businesses, stocks, and real estate. One of the world’s most successful investors, Warren Buffet showed huge confidence in investment banking titan Goldman Sachs with his Berkshire Hathway Inc.’s $5 Billion investment. You have to ask yourself why keeping you in fear about an economic recovery is profitable for others.

The people and companies that can find ways to position themselves well through the purchase of these low cost assets and investment vehicles will prosper tremendously as the economy recovers. This is how the rich get richer. They are not doubting its recovery. Why are you?

Don’t focus so much on the news debates of whether or not the recovery will happen. Focus instead on what you need to do in order to take care of yourself and your family and ways you can position yourself to prosper as the economy recovers. Many great businesses were created during recessions with nothing more than an idea and a website. This is how the poor and middle class find financial independence.

Why not you? Why not now?