On Cinco de Mayo, high school proms, and California's connection to swine flu

Consumer Reports News: May 03, 2009 11:10 AM

Here in Consumer Union's California office, the month of May brings to mind two things: Cinco de Mayo celebrations and high school proms. The swine flu scare has had its effect on both in California.

Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Battle of Puebla and Mexico's unlikely defeat of the far better armed French army on May 5, 1862. In California, as elsewhere in the U.S., it's become a day to celebrate Mexican heritage and pride, and the gatherings are festive—usually. But in southern California's Riverside County, the longstanding Cinco de Mayo fiesta is reportedly being cancelled this year is recognition of swine flu concerns. Pollard High School in Corona, Riverside County, was closed after a student's confirmed swine flu diagnosis. And the prom's been put on hold there as well.

And there may indeed be some special reason for concern in Southern California: An article in Friday's Wall Street Journal suggested that that some researchers suspect that the swine flu actually first developed along the California, Mexico border.

Angelenos however, are not to be deterred: the big Cinco de Mayo fiesta in downtown LA is set to proceed, as are others throughout the state.

Stay healthy.

—Betsy Imholz, Director, Special Projects, Consumers Union, West Coast Office