The time is well past for my fellow media types to get with the program and drop the term “swine flu” and use the clinical H1N1 name. Aside from the fact that this term has added unfair insult to injury to a flagging pork market, it is just plain inaccurate.

A few of us here voiced our opinions to a manager for a statewide news outlet that operates coast-to-coast and is alive and well in Iowa, and frequently uses the term. We were told that the “swine flu” name is appropriate and that the outlet would continue to use the term.

No amount of facts could unravel the self-absorbed blanket she wrapped around the news outlet by saying, “We stand by our statement.” Well, la-de-da. I couldn’t help but envision a petulant adult stomping her foot on the floor saying, “I’ve made up my mind, don’t confuse me with the facts.”

The facts are, according to the director of the Center for Disease Control, H1N1 is a combined strain of aviary, or bird, flu and a human strain of influenza. It has nothing to do with swine.

Nothing.

So let’s get with the program and use the clinical name.

Please.

--kersh