Hi folks,
alright, lets consider this situation with a cool and clear mind.
1. Is the new H1N1 dangerous? Well, its death rate is about 1 percent. Doesn't sound scary, does it? But don't forget that it's a new virus which noone is immune against, so it can easily spread globally and infect many millions. Every year a "normal" flu kill thousands of people alone in Germany... One percent of, say, 50 millions? You do the calculation. Does the result sound harmless to you?
2. Imagine a new virus appears. You know that it has the potential to kill hundredthousands of people even it doesn't turn out to be especially dangerous. It is resistant against common medication, and a vaccine still needs to be developed. Luckily you have discovered it in a very early phase. So far it has infected only 3440 and killed "only" 48 of them (9th of May 2009). If you were to decide, what would you do? Lean back, saying "Oh well, this one won't bring up Harmegiddon, I guess." and give an indifferent yawn? Or would you try to slow down its spread? There's no way to stop it, of course, but you can slow it down. Wouldn't it be a fine idea to have an eye on airports, lest the virus goes speed-travelling by plane?
3. If you do so, if you set up checks at the airport for people coming from the area where the virus has occured, if you check those that have recently been there - would that be discrimination? Would you be judging anyone by their nationality, gender, religion,...? No! You'd be checking Germans, US-Americans, Chinese, Jews, atheists, Mexicans, women, vegetarians, blacks, Non-NTSMS-members, tie-wearers, tattoed persons etc.pp. all alike - and for a very reasonable reason. You won't go check the Mexican restaurant owner down the street, would you? So how could anyone accuse you of discrimination?
I think that the means taken by the officials have been surprisingly reasonable; obviously they are aware of a danger without panicking. I still think that the media attention is a bit exaggerated. Of course I think that everyone is stupid who goes panicking and abuses this threat to really discriminate people, but I don't see this happening from any official institutions.
Cheers!
Markus