Don't mix flu and immigrant debate

[uppityperson]

http://www.rrstar.com/opinions/columnists/x845558474/Dont-mix-flu-and-immigrant-debate

Some of what is being said about the possible swine flu pandemic that seems to have originated in Mexico demonstrates that ignorance is infectious. Among the infected: Rep. Duncan D. Hunter, R-Lakeside, who recently proposed that President Obama consider restricting travel between the United States and Mexico and prepare to close the border to “ensure this virus does not spread any more than it might already have.”

According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, about half a million people move between the two countries each day – and that's just at the San Ysidro Port of Entry, the world's busiest border crossing. The economic cost of restricting cross-border travel would be enormous. And to what end? As Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano recently noted, “You would close the border if you thought you could contain disease – the spread of the disease – but the disease already is in a number of states within the United States so the containment issue doesn't really play out.”

Also infected is CNN commentator Jack Cafferty, who irresponsibly spouted off this week about how Americans would be much safer had we secured the border after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, because of “all these illegal immigrants who we let come in . . . (some of whom) may have brought this in.”

The operative phrase being “may have” since we don't know how the disease – which, as of this writing, has infected at least 68 people in the United States, including five in San Diego, and more than 1,000 in Mexico – came to this country. Although Cafferty used the word “secure,” from the sound of it, what he really wants is to “seal” the border. With 2,000 miles between Brownsville, Texas, and San Diego, good luck. Also, for those eager to blame the spread of the disease on illegal immigrants, the odds don't add up the way they might have a few years ago. Illegal immigration into the United States is down dramatically thanks to the sour U.S. economy.....

[AnnieBW]

1. It's being brought by tourists, not illegals

All of the cases in the US so far have been people that recently traveled to Mexico. So, it's not on the U.S. to stop travel to and from Mexico, it's for the Mexican government.

[readmoreoften]

2. Too late. I've seen more racism/anti-Mexican sentiment from this event than any

I can remember in a long time. I hardly think people would talk about Canadians the same way.