PSA: Swine flu cases confirmed at PAX
by Justin McElroy 
{ Sep 9th 2009 at 10:13AM }
Important note for PAX attendees only: Okay, before we get into this, you have to promise us you're not going to panic. Promise? Okay. Some people who attended PAX have been stricken by confirmed cases of swine flu. So, if you were there, and you start feeling sick (like many apparently have), don't freak out, but do go to your doctor right away. [Update: According to the CDC's latest advice, you need only go to the doctor if you're in a high risk group or have really severe symptoms. You can read all the advisement here, and thanks to Nori for setting us straight.]
There's a list of flights over at Penny Arcade of those with confirmed cases so, if you attended, make sure you check that out. But whether or not yours appears there, you need to keep an eye on your health, okay? Don't freak out, just be smart.
Important note for non-PAX attendees only: Okay, we're going to have to be smart about this thing if we're going to survive it. If you know someone who went to PAX, it's very sad, but they're dead now. You hear us? DEAD. We don't care if your own brother is banging down your door asking for NyQuil, you just keep telling yourself, "That must be the wind. It can't be Griffin, because he's dead."
Also, invest in power armor.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Archon (PSN: Archonik, XBL: DarkARHN) @ Sep 9th 2009 10:17AM
My 3 year old had the swine flu. It's not as bad as everybody makes it to be. Looked and felt like standard flu to us. He didn't even give it to any of us but we were advised by our GP to stay home for a few days just in case.
Archon (PSN: Archonik, XBL: DarkARHN) @ Sep 9th 2009 10:18AM
Oh, also: Don't bother posting news today Joystiq, people are to busy playing The Beatles: Rock Band to comment.
captainprotonx @ Sep 9th 2009 10:20AM
Uh, really?
I didn't know this was the Messiah of RB.
bumblo @ Sep 9th 2009 2:05PM
http://www.thebestpageintheuniverse.net/c.cgi?u=swine_flu
Archon (PSN: Archonik, XBL: DarkARHN) @ Sep 9th 2009 10:35AM
@captainprotonx
Uh, really?
I didn't know anime breasts could talk.
Captain Planet [Planeteer | Power of Captain Planet] @ Sep 9th 2009 11:07AM
It's not swine flu guys. It's mutated geek BO.
Spilt_Milk @ Sep 9th 2009 11:12AM
There is no need to go to the doctor if you have the freaking H1N1. This whole swine flu panic is retarded.
Archon (PSN: Archonik, XBL: DarkARHN) @ Sep 9th 2009 11:39AM
@Spilt_Milk
If that's how you treat your toddler :/...
- I think our baby is ill.
- FEED HIM BEER AND GARLIC. MAN UP SON, YOU ARE NOT A BABY ANYMORE.
Jono @ Sep 9th 2009 11:39AM
Exactly, it's not dangerous or deadly. It's just a scare tactic to get you off of the economic crises and buy pharmaceuticals.
Because America sure likes to sell drugs. Watch t.v. for half an hour and count how many drug ads you see.
Archon (PSN: Archonik, XBL: DarkARHN) @ Sep 9th 2009 11:52AM
Guys... Seriously. It might not be the new AIDS, but saying "it's not dangerous or deadly" is just downright stupid.
IT IS a DISEASE. It MAY BE dangerous or even DEADLY when not dealt with accordingly. Other conditions that you may not even be aware you have may affect how your body reacts to it.
YES, the swine flu is no more dangerous then a standard flu, but it still IS a flu.
If your symptoms persist or you feel that something is not right GO SEE A DOCTOR.
IF YOU THINK YOU AVOID BEING MANIPULATED BY SHOUTING "they make us do/buy/think this. I know, I heard a random rumor/the TV said so." THEN YOU ARE A COMPLETE IDIOT. AND IT ONLY SHOWS HOW EASILY YOU GET MANIPULATED - AND YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW IT.
Alphathon @ Sep 9th 2009 1:19PM
"the swine flu is no more dangerous then a standard flu"
Not exactly true. It is basically just a slightly more potent version of standard Flu though. Basically if you are relativelly fit and healthy you should be fine if you get it. If you can fight off normal flu, you can prety much see of swine flu (which is technically not swine flu, but a new variant of human flu with some of the genetic material of actual swine flu and bird flu. Such mixing happens in viruses from time to time) It won't be pleasent for a while, but you should suffer no consiquences once you have recovered. There are some people who should have more concerns, which would basically be the frail and those with an underlying medical condition
Bubbameister33 @ Sep 9th 2009 10:17AM
That last paragraph was awesome.
PSN: InfiniteNine @ Sep 9th 2009 4:20PM
Also a sign that we should probably take refuge in Madagascar like NOW.
captainprotonx @ Sep 9th 2009 10:17AM
Reminder for next year: biomedical scanners.
demented @ Sep 9th 2009 10:18AM
Well that's good to hear that theres nothing to worry about :)
Because latley i just got a bit sick after coming back from there.
Anyways, i'm just gonna grab some NyQuil at my brothers place.
Glad you guys said nothings wrong
demented @ Sep 9th 2009 10:19AM
OH GOD MAN, HE'S NOT OPENING THE DOOR
JESUS CHRIST I JUST READ THAT LAST PART
YOU LYING BASTARDS
Ryan @ Sep 9th 2009 10:20AM
Arent you supposed to be dead?
Must have been the wind.
Captain Planet [Planeteer | Power of Captain Planet] @ Sep 9th 2009 10:56AM
GET TO THE CHOPPA SWINE FLU IS GUNNHA GET JOO
XBL: xGeneral DEATHx PSN: Deeth82 @ Sep 9th 2009 11:27AM
DA HELL VIT YOU, I'M GETTING ON DA CHOPPA TO SAFETEEE.
Captain Planet [Planeteer | Power of Captain Planet] @ Sep 9th 2009 11:36AM
OH NOES WATCH OOT, THE CHOPPA HAS TEH FLU SWINE HOW WE GUN GET OOTA HEER NOW?
XBL: xGeneral DEATHx PSN: Deeth82 @ Sep 9th 2009 12:16PM
IF IT BLEEDS, VEE CAN KILL IT.
Bag of Meat @ Sep 9th 2009 6:37PM
Swine Flu, America's constant foe, strikes again. This time targeting helpless, pale, weak video gamers. When, I ask you, when will it stop!?
Ryan @ Sep 9th 2009 10:51AM
The next war on terror will be fought in our nostrils.
God help us all.
Rhamsey @ Sep 9th 2009 10:21AM
I sense a theme for the next joystiq podcast opening!
Zoot Suit Jedi @ Sep 9th 2009 10:24AM
So, this swine flu epidemic is actually a cover up for the zombie apocalypse?
Awesome! I'll get my bicycle and combat grade katana!
Griffin @ Sep 9th 2009 10:25AM
Open the damn door! im not dead!
Ignatius @ Sep 9th 2009 11:17AM
DING DONG! DING DONG! Dinner's served! Hahaha!
Old Professor Zertoss @ Sep 9th 2009 10:30AM
Well Justin, aren't you glad you didn't go to PAX now?
We're sure gonna miss Chris on the podcast, though. RIP Chris Grant.
Magic Whiskey @ Sep 9th 2009 10:31AM
This is the way the world ends
This is the way the world ends
This is the way the world ends
Not with a bang but a whimper.
t.s. eliot
(If you don't get the ref, don't downvote this comment, please. The Walkin' Dude, The Man With No Face..he's out there watching.)
CTC XBL-supapaypamawio PSN-ctclaw @ Sep 9th 2009 10:42AM
I think I'll downvote you regardless.
Hak Foo @ Sep 9th 2009 10:55AM
You do you think you are, telling me how to vote your comment. Down it goes!
Ryan @ Sep 9th 2009 10:57AM
I prefer:
This, is how the world ends.
Not with a bang, but with a lot of blood and torn flesh and broken bones!
And I, just, love it.
--Violator
Ethan @ Sep 9th 2009 11:04AM
Pretty sure a pandemic killing everyone would be a bang.
fyreblazer @ Sep 9th 2009 10:33AM
if only the Wii Vitality Sensor was available now at PAX. you'd be able to determine who was dead before allowing them to leave.
Magic Whiskey @ Sep 9th 2009 10:35AM
Awesome.
Rhamsey @ Sep 9th 2009 10:40AM
nice
Captain Planet [Planeteer | Power of Captain Planet] @ Sep 9th 2009 11:13AM
Then you could use the Wii Defibrillator to bring them back to life.
kigamoosh @ Sep 9th 2009 12:11PM
Wiifibrilator? (tm)
clanboru15 @ Sep 9th 2009 2:14PM
http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/3553/71557718.png
lol ms paint
mr nimblewick @ Sep 9th 2009 10:40AM
Haha, people are dying.
Emblazin @ Sep 9th 2009 3:04PM
I can't wait until your on your death bed and realize that laughing at people dying means JOOS GOIN TO HELLZ
Mack Swift @ Sep 9th 2009 10:42AM
Are PAX attendees digging for truffles or something??
Rosssas @ Sep 9th 2009 10:44AM
Who took that picture? Looked like they sneezed while taking... i think they should get checked up!!
NERV @ Sep 9th 2009 10:48AM
That's nice thanks but I'm here for the Dreamcast Tribute
Ethan @ Sep 9th 2009 10:51AM
The reason the common cold is always around is because it hardly affects the host and has plenty of time to spread. Likewise good hygiene and incubation on a large scale makes flu evolve to be less virulent in order to survive and spread. So the danger is minimal, it's more about being on top of hygiene, a courtesy we should extend to each other anyway.
Kvak @ Sep 9th 2009 10:51AM
Am I supposed to laugh at the non-PAX attendees note?
C.A. @ Sep 9th 2009 11:01AM
If you were at PAX: Of course, this is just some light hearted joking to try to brighten up a potentially sad situation.
If you weren't at PAX: NO! Barricade yourself in your house with water, rations and preferably weapons! THEY'RE DEAD!!! DEAD!!!!!!
Wiizer ($299) Having BC On Your Launch Console? (Priceless) @ Sep 9th 2009 10:52AM
PAX... now with more POX?
MowDownJoe @ Sep 9th 2009 9:28PM
PA actually had that idea for a comic before you mentioned it. Unfortunately, Gabe got sick and couldn't draw it. Don't worry: they got someone better: http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2009/9/9/penny-arcade-bill-amend/
tlarkin79 @ Sep 9th 2009 10:57AM
This is a great promotion for Left 4 Dead 2.