After losing 2-1 in a World Cup qualifying match in Mexico, American soccer star Landon Donovan has confirmed he contracted swine flu (now known as H1N1) while there. Now this piece of brilliance from Donovan, about whether he’ll play in the L.A. Galaxy’s next game: “If I feel well there’s no reason why I can’t play.” Um, how about not giving the flu to anyone else? Is that a reason? He even said, “The [doctors] don’t know a ton.” Yet he’s going to run out there as soon as he feels better. Hopefully he does feel better soon…and stays away from everyone else until he doesn’t have it anymore.
Anyone else want to go to Mexico?
on Aug 14th, 2009 at 6:17 PM
Just let him play with the Galaxy long enough to give it to Beckham so he can give it to Posh.
on Aug 14th, 2009 at 7:22 PM
Swine flu is hardly the aporkalypse … it’s less contagious and less deadly — by a factor (I believe) of about 10000 — than common, seasonal flu. This is a non-starter.
Don’t spread the hype.
on Aug 15th, 2009 at 12:01 AM
Oh noes! He has the dreaded swine flu…which is exactly like every other flu. Few days of rest and fluids and the dude will be fine, and he can play soccer to his heart’s content. Fear over a flu is ridiculous.
on Aug 15th, 2009 at 6:45 AM
Yahoo sports says that he contracted it in New England from a couple of their staff members that he came in contact with. I wonder which it really is?
on Aug 15th, 2009 at 2:34 PM
I was in London the week millions of Londoners were supposed to drop dead from the swine flu. LOL. Even the media over there tried getting everyone in a panic, making it look like everyone was walking around in surgical masks. But Europeans scoff at media hype, something Americans should learn.
on Aug 16th, 2009 at 1:26 AM
He contracted it in the US. Not in Mexico.
Why didn’t he think about it and realize, Hmm, maybe I could have the swine flu? Maybe I shouldn’t put EVERYONE else at risk?
What a celebrity, eh?
on Aug 16th, 2009 at 1:56 PM
I am a follower of your blog and feel disappointed you end your note with that question if people is still willing to go to Mexico. Donovan contracted swine flu in the U.S., and if you have been careful enough to follow the notes on the subject, there are now more swine flu cases elsewhere. And, in the other hand, why did he play if he was sick?
That’s very irresponsible. They just think they can foster xeno- and mexicophobia by blaming the others like this.
What a shame.
on Aug 16th, 2009 at 9:42 PM
He had the flu, not bubonic plague. Some people should tone down the hysteria just a tad.
on Aug 17th, 2009 at 12:05 PM
Don’t appreciate the comment about going to Mexico. It’s feeds the xenophobia.
on Aug 17th, 2009 at 1:17 PM
Well, some people go around the world asking for tolerance, moderation and political correctness (in this case, tolerance for being gay, meaning the author of this note), but they aren’t able to offer the same themselves.
on Sep 7th, 2009 at 6:13 AM
the H1N1 or Swine Flu Virus is very scary at first but now it is well controlled by vaccines and prevention by avoiding going into places with incidence of swine flu.