Now, if pigs could fly, I’d definitely be worried about this Mexican swine flu becoming a pandemic.

Some people I know have been driven to panic. I have friends who recently rescheduled their honeymoon from Mexico to Cuba due to the hoopla over this global health concern.

Another friend of mine, Ancaster resident Jan Lukas, is currently down in Mexico. She dropped me an email the other day, and I replied, “What the hell are you doing down there?”

She emailed back, saying, “Can you keep me updated cause there is no news here at all... nothing.”

It seems a bit odd that I can’t get through 10 minutes of the day without hearing, reading or seeing some news report on the pig flu.

From what I understand, the genetic make up of this strain contains elements of human, swine and bird flu.

Should we be surprised? I’ve always been told pigs were a lot smarter than they looked. We’ve been feasting on them for years, with our love of salty bacon and pork chops, so maybe this is a little payback. This time it’s the pig who threatens to huff, and puff, and blow the house down.

I am making light of this situation for an important reason. Remember, don’t panic with all the media coverage of this situation.

As of Wednesday, there were just four confirmed cases of swine flu in Ontario and only 13 mild cases in all of Canada.

Now if pigs could actually fly, you can bet the media will be all over that story.

Sister update

“We’ve always been good healers,” my dad proclaimed last week, as news arrived that my sister would be going home after a two week stay in hospital. “It’s our genes.”

I’m not sure if there’s any truth to dad’s assertion that the Cripps clan is blessed by some kind of inert magical curing chromosome, but it doesn’t really matter.

After suffering from a rare and potentially fatal condition known as Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, my little sister amazed her doctors with a rapid recovery and was allowed to go home last weekend.

I’m not sure if it was her genes or her will power that escalated her departure from hospital. I’m leaning towards will over genetics, however, maybe the two are intrinsically linked.

It could also be all the love, prayers and well wishes that were sent her way, and she battled to overcome the odds.

Now, while she may be at home resting, it will still be a long road to complete recovery. Her doctors have indicated it will be at least six months before she makes a full recovery.

Skin continues to peel away from her body, and the new layer is extremely sensitive. She will work with a dermatologist on best procedures to expedite recovery. The precautions she takes with her skin will be similar to how a mother cares for her newborn, especially with heat and the sun.

I know Lisa will likely reach complete recovery in half the time her doctors are suggesting.

And maybe genetics has something to do with it. Personally, I think the health care my sister received was the key to her recovery.

I know a lot of people have horror stories to tell about health care system in Ontario. I know a lot of people think the health care system is in crisis. All I can say is my sister received an amazing level of care, from initial prognosis of the SJS in Royal Victoria Hospital in Barrie to the specialized burn unit at Sunnybrook Hospital.

It reminded me once again what a special group of people we have working in our health care sector. We are all very fortunate.