Imagine my surprise when I turned on the news a day before I was set to leave Mexico for the United States, and I heard our Vice President, Joe Biden, creating even more hysteria with his rash advice to avoid commercial airplanes and subways. I didn't have to wait too long for his more level-headed advisors to quickly come on and interpret for the general public what the V.P. really meant to say...ha!
I must admit, I was more than a little nervous to be confined in a small airplane cabin for hours at a time sharing recycled air with my potentially infected fellow passengers, but I refused to give in to the panic of pandemic disease! Armed with my white tapabocas (mouth covering) and the biggest bottle of hand sanitizer I could find, I made my way to the surprisingly crowded Guadalajara airport. I'm happy to report that some precautionary efforts were being made (more than I would see on the other side of the border). Before passing to security, each passenger was required to fill out a piece of paper with their name, address, phone number, and then check any suspicious symptoms that they might have been experiencing. After turning in this papelito, a laser-esque tool was used to take each traveler's temperature. If you were deemed healthy by the red laser gun, then you could proceed with your journey.
Once past security, I made my way through a sea of masked faces to the gate. My plane left on time, without fanfare, nor another mention of the dirty pig flu. A couple hours into the flight however, I was disturbed when the portly American woman next to me sneezed over my water glass and then acted like nothing had happened. I glared at her with my eyes (the only part of my face exposed thanks to my ill-fitting mask) and she obliviously turned her head and took a nap. Apparently she hadn't heard Biden's grave warning.
Finally, the flying germ incubator...I mean airplane, landed in Atlanta and its stir-crazy occupants scurried off and headed toward Immigration. Now for my second biggest surprise in two days...I was expecting long lines, medical equipment, intense interrogation, or some sign of proactive disease control, but when I handed my passport to the burly Customs agent, he simply looked at me, looked at my picture, and told me to have a nice day. That was it! No "What was the purpose of your trip?", "Are you aware that you could be a carrier of swine flu?", "Have you experienced any of the following symptoms?" I made my way to the baggage claim stunned and also a little perturbed. So much for border control.
The rest of my trip was uneventful. After four days back stateside, although I've endured more than my fair share of swine flu jokes from friends and family, I think it's safe to say that I am pig flu free :)
A Pig Free Saludos,
Cati
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