It is understandable for the tourism-oriented sector to be concerned about the latest health crisis posed by the Influenza A(H1N1) virus. After all, diseases and tourism do not mix. So, naturally, the tourism-oriented sector would rather not see any health crisis in the news.
Unfortunately, whether the tourism-oriented sector, or anybody for that matter, likes it or not, a health crisis does not depend on whether it gets reported in the news or not. If it hits, it hits. And that is that.
Indeed, all things considered, it is so much better for a health crisis to be reported as extensively as possible. A well-informed citizenry is so much better than having people grope their way through a sea of ignorance.
And if proper information comes at the risk of making people fearful, then that is a small price to pay than having them sink into a false sense of security in face of something that may sneak up on them from behind with unforgiving force.
And that is why it is difficult to understand how health authorities are handling the situation, because rather than being open and forthright in dealing with the public, they seem to adopt a similar stance to that of the tourism-oriented sector.
Again, the position of the tourism-oriented sector is understandable. But the position of health authorities is not. While the former may suffer from any news about a health crisis, the latter can only have everything to gain when dealing with a well-informed community.
All other countries that have had to deal with this health crisis have been very open with their societies about the disease. They do not hedge from reporting on any new development even if the news is bad and may drive people to great fear.
But in the Philippines, the reverse is happening. Health authorities are treating the crisis as if it were a public relations concern. Instead of coming forward and volunteering information, the media have to pry it from them.