Print Report
May 19, 2009 Clip No. 2119

Iraqi Health Ministry Infomercial: Avoid Spitting on the Ground, Shaking Hands, to Prevent Swine Flu

Following is an Iraqi Health Ministry infomercial about swine flu, which aired on Al-Iraqiya TV on May 19, 2009:

Title on TV screen: "Swine Flu – first case in Canada. Over 3,000 people infected in 27 countries."

Husband: What's this got to do with me? I didn't leave the house, I didn't shake hands with anyone, I didn't meet anyone, and I didn't use this handkerchief twice. What have these swine got to do with me?!

Wife: But Abu Ahmad, all these are the regular symptoms of seasonal flu.

Husband: I've got everything they said TV. Everything. I've got fever, I've got pain in my ribs, I am coughing, my nose is runny, and on top of everything, my head is spinning.

Wife: How do you know this, if you haven't been to the doctor for tests?

Husband: Have you become a doctor all of a sudden?

Wife: No, but these are the Health Ministry instructions. We must follow these instructions to avoid this disease. Now we must go to the doctor and undergo tests.

Husband: So it's possible that I don't have H1N1? May God bless you.

Narrator: Dear citizen, you must take precautions to protect yourself from this disease.

1 – Use a handkerchief when coughing or sneezing.

2 – Do not shake hands or exchange kisses.

3 – Do not spit on the ground.

4 – Maintain personal and public hygiene.

5 – Wash your hands with soap and water before preparing food and eating it, and after touching filthy things.

6 – Keep away from crowded places.


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