Comment: 'I Don't Believe in West Nile Virus'
Patch readers have expressed everything from fear to eye-rolling in response to the recent West Nile Virus outbreak.
Is West Nile Virus a legitimate concern or a non-event overblown by news media? That is the question Patch readers have debated since Maryland this week confirmed the first fatality attributed to the virus.
From the deathly afraid to the non-believers making fun of those in panic, many readers showed they have an opinion on West Nile:
"I don't understand how all those tiny little skeeters fly all the way over here from West Nile. You'd think they'd be too pooped to bite anybody." --Sue Crandall
"I don't believe in West Nile Virus." --number9dream
"I don't want to be sprayed." --dontbelieveeverythingyouhear
"It doesn't matter where the person lived. It matters where they were bitten and since you can't really be completely sure of that then it doesn't matter anyway. Just use bug spray like always." --Lily
"I can see withholding the individual's name and other personal identifiers but I simply cannot understand withholding the name of the county." --Genine Mahon
"My daughter is allergic to mosquito bites as it is. She does have a weakened immune system and yes, I am a very protective mom. At the same time, I want my daughter to be able to play outside with her friends without fear of getting West Nile from a mosquito bite." --Adrienne
"The chance of contracting WNV is slim, you should get out and enjoy. A tree may fall on you before you get WNV." --Joe
"Relax! Your odds of being murdered are nine hundred times GREATER than dying of the West Niles Virus. I am more afraid of the chemicals used in spraying than of the mosquitos." --No Psoas
b
7:51 am on Monday, September 3, 2012
I got West Nile virus in my front yard in Columbia 5 years ago. I went to the emergency room because I was so sick and they released me saying I had just the flu that was going around. I made my Dr. test me and when it came up positive he had to turn my results into the health department. The best part for me is that now I do not have to worry, I won't get it again.