May 7th, 2009 by MWilhelm

It looks like an ordinary weekday in Mexico City: buses and the subway are packed; there is traffic noise, pollution, queues, impatience, stress.

People eat tacos at road corners. But take a second look and it is far from normal.

Many people still wear masks. Few walk hand-in-hand or kiss.

In lifts, everyone is suspicious of one another. It is impossible to tell who carries the influenza virus that is now known to have led to more than 40 deaths and infected more 1,000 people in recent weeks.

Sales of soap, chlorine, disinfectant and anti-bacterial products have sky-rocketed.

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May 2nd, 2009 by MWilhelm

As tests suggest the swine flu virus in Mexico may be less virulent than first feared, the BBC’s Stephen Gibbs in Mexico City looks at whether the response was an over-reaction.

Pedro Aparicio shows me his receipt from the supermarket.

“My wife thinks I spent too much,” he says.

Just before the partial shutdown of this country, the primary school teacher stocked up on everything he thinks he, his wife, and their young daughter Naomi will need for the next five days.

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