What will we do if we all get the flu?

Whilst the panic surrounding the possibility of a global swine flu pandemic seems to have temporarily waned, there must have been some interesting questions asked and scenarios raised what would happen if the UK economy was indeed affected by an epidemic of this nature.

Whilst the UK once again gave an exhibition of the stiff upper lip that kept us going through World War Two, the question would have to be, how would we have coped if the epidemic had been as serious and as viral as first feared, and who can guarantee that the flu will not return in full force in the next month, week or days. It seems to be fairly common knowledge that the health authorities in the UK have been aware that “something was in the air” and it may be viral, and have been stockpiling serums and anti viral treatments for some time. Hopefully enough to treat every UK citizen, with some to spare.

The question on everyone’s lips would have to be, how would the current shaky financial situation affect us when we are busy fighting against our own personal dose of swine flu? Would the banks and building societies understand? Or would the UK treasury once again have to step in, and guarantee the financial well being of those who were struck down by the dreaded flu until they can get back on their feet again.

Reports have it that the Mexican economy has been particularly devastated by the effects of the flu, which has forced them to virtually shut down all but their essential services and strongly advising its citizens to volunteer a form of self imposed quarantine for seven days. .

The UK public and the business community are still highly vulnerable and it is almost delusionary to imagine your friendly bank manager, rise out of his sick bed especially to distribute special emergency bridging loans to anyone who asks to see them through the flu induced crisis.

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Tags: British Economy, Employment, Global Credit Crisis, Pandemic, Recession, Retail, swine flu, UK Recession