Comments on: A Wii Bit of Trouble as the Swine Flu Engulfs Kyoto

By: Eric Mesa

Eric Mesa — Tue, 26 May 2009 13:40:58 +0000

Don’t judge video games or the Wii based on Wii music. Although it has received a lot of hype in Japan (or so I’ve been told), everyone in the USA has written it off. Fun games for someone Anthony’s age would include the Mario Party series. The Wii runs gamecube games, so you could get the old ones too. Mario Galaxy is pretty good too. Finally, the Wario game is pretty fun – but you have to figure out how to win each game while you play it – there are no instructions in or out of game.

By: Bob

Bob — Sun, 24 May 2009 12:08:14 +0000

To Nibar:

Yes, that is exactly what has happened! She’s been turned away by her own family!!!
This leaves her pretty much marooned in the country of her birth. Further, from what information she has gleaned from her friends there, there is a good possibility she may be refused a room at a hotel, etc., simply because she has come from North America.
Japan believes itself to be a先進国, but this mass hysteria demonstrates that it is still a 後進国.

By: Sean

Sean — Sun, 24 May 2009 05:19:44 +0000

Well, with moldy bread at least you’re not going to have too much of a problem with bacterial diseases…

By: Nibar

Nibar — Sat, 23 May 2009 20:56:25 +0000

Bob, that’s very sad! Are you saying their own family is rejecting them because of some benign disease outbreak elsewhere in the world? I’m not sure who are the sick ones here. Crazy stuff.

I say, bring it on! It’s part of building and maintaining a strong immune system. You’ve got to expose yourself a little from time to time. Eating rotten food, drinking sewage water. That’s all good for you. I’m never ever ever sick because I don’t mind hanging out with sick people and having a little mold in my bread.

By: Bob

Bob — Sat, 23 May 2009 12:31:39 +0000

My wife is planning to travbel back to japan soon for a 法事family and at first she was told by her mother, first, not to come, and now, if she comes, to stay away from the house she grew up in for a week, which by then the 法事 will have been held. A friend of hers also planning to go to back to Japan, has been told by her family don’t come period. Neither of them exhibits ANY symptoms of the flu.

This sort of deer-on-the-headlights ‘intellect’ is enough to make me want to kick something very hard.

By: Griselda Nishikatsu

Griselda Nishikatsu — Sat, 23 May 2009 05:23:10 +0000

My mother, brothers and all realtives live in Mexico, and they say that people there are returning to normal life and not more hysteria about the Flu. I am very paranoid about health issues so still affraid of get it. But I feel better after the comment of Marcina.

Griselda Nishikatsu, Arlington,TX

By: Brian

Brian — Fri, 22 May 2009 16:21:52 +0000

It’s funny, in the US the swine flu hype peaked about two weeks ago but seems like now the mass media machine has moved on… I’ve never played Wii Music and don’t own a Wii myself (although I’m sure when our 5-month old is older that will change) but I know my neice and nephew loved playing Wii Sports at Grandma and Grandpa’s house, I only played it once but bowling and downhill skiing were pretty fun and were easy to play. I’m definitely also a fan of games that don’t require a manual to play, like Pong or Donkey Kong back in the day…

By: Sonal, MN

Sonal, MN — Fri, 22 May 2009 16:08:43 +0000

I am glad you are talking about this issue. I read some stories of people in Mexico who had it and it was terrifying to read. I read it on major news website so it should have some credibility. I also read about cases that were mild as well. We have a vacation planned to San Diego next week with 2 kids under the age 6 and are really wondering if we should just cancel or go. Anyone in or around San Diego area would like to help with our decision?
Thanks in advance!

P.S. I love your private island pictures. It is amazing that you discover such wonderful places to go and explore. What a unique experience for Anthony.

By: Jao

Jao — Fri, 22 May 2009 14:44:03 +0000

Craziness indeed. They closed down my daughter’s Denver area school for a week too a few weeks ago because there was one boy who had it. He recovered completely and never had more than mild flu symptoms. Luckily the bureaucrats had the wherewithal to reopen early when this became clear.

By: hm

hm — Fri, 22 May 2009 13:54:02 +0000

You’re right on the swine flu nonsense….here in Boston there are still schools closed (and of course the teachers and bureaucrats are agitating to make sure they don’t have to extend the school year to make up the lost time even though the school year and day are already very short as compared to the rest of the world.)

As to the Wii, give it a chance. Its significance is that it is the first console to get people up off the couch and involved. My 59 year old wife who has never even thought about games before is hooked on bowling; I’ll be just waking up and bleary eyed before coffee and she’ll ask me if I want to bowl. When the kids visit we have great family time playing it. Don’t choose games only like you would for a traditional console. I work with hospitals and they are having great success using them in physical therapy. Nursing homes are finding them to be an effective way to get old folks to start moving as well. I think you will like it once you get it going.