Jumping the shark

Mayor Nagin quarantined in Shanghai after possible Swine Flu exposure.

Totally surreal.

Did Mr. Nagin name an acting mayor before his journey? Would it be the role of City Council to appoint one in the event he did not? Is the Mayor going to be fit to lead if he now must face down this mutant cyborg super flu?

This is actually one of the most graceful Nagin resignation scenarios out there.

Drink fluids.

Speaking of The_Swine_Flu: (nsfw)

Like Old Faithful

1. Disease outbreak strikes
2. Media does lots of stories about disease and the rate of the outbreak.
3. Media wonders "Are We Prepared?!?!?"
4. Issue is politicized.
5. Threat subsides.
6. Celebrities raise money.
7. Outbreak becomes fodder for jokes. (Swine Flu is pretty good but then you remember Foot and Mouth)

This cycle can last as little as 4 months or as long as 18 months.

Bird Flu or SARS? Mad Cow or Foot and Mouth?

Of course none of this is to say that these threats aren't truly costly. Mexico is going through hard times.

But I'm going to start his one with some jokes.

Update: TPM's Daily Digest pretty much captures it.