A Global Pandemic?

1. A Global Pandemic? The World Health Organization (WHO) declared last week that the much hyped but decidedly mild swine flu outbreak is now officially a global pandemic. The WHO’s decision to declare swine flu a pandemic came as the influenza virus continues to spread around the world, with 74 countries reporting more than 29,000 cases, although some experts believe many tens of thousands more have been infected — and there is no end in sight. We ought to consider, however, that the swine flu outbreak has been very mild since it first appeared. At this writing, the total global death toll from the outbreak stood at 145, which is a paltry amount upon which to make the case for a pandemic. (For some perspective, normal seasonal flu usually kills from 250,000-500,000 people each year.) The WHO is still right, in my view, to declare swine flu as a global pandemic. We mustn’t forget that the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic started out mildly in the spring of that year, then returned with a murderous vengeance that autumn and killed up to 50 million people around the world. Adapted from Yankton Daily Press & Dakotan editorial June 16, 2009 The writer names a trustworthy source of information to indicate that he is about to give a fact The simple present tense is used to indicate a fact The word believe signals that, although these are experts, what is stated is merely their opinion. Supporting statements, made up of different facts, are provided to back up the writer’s opinion. The words ought to consider show that the writer is giving an opinion. The words in my view signal that this is the writer’s own opinion. The simple present tense is again used, though this time it expresses an opinion. The linking wordswe mustn’t forget provide a clue that the writer is about to give a supporting statement.