Yale Daily News

Updated: Monday, November 23, 2009 12:52 p.m.

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Summer programs in Mexico canceled

Swine flu outbreak forces 19 Yale students out of their summer plans

Staff Reporter
Published Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Due to concerns arising from the recent swine flu outbreak in Mexico, Yale administrators announced Tuesday that they will not hold either the Yale Summer Session course in Mexico or the International Bulldogs internship program, both of which are hosted by the university Tecnológico de Monterrey (Monterrey Tech).

The decision was made after officials at Monterrey Tech requested that Yale postpone the program until summer 2010, University Secretary Linda Lorimer said. Nineteen students were planning to participate in the two programs, and the University has offered to help the...

#1 By Dave M. 10:29p.m. on May 6, 2009

Really? This seems unnecessary and almost irresponsible of Yale, to buy into the excessive caution, denying already-committed Yalies of a great opportunity and by extension incidentally kicking Mexico when they're down.

#2 By (Anonymous) 2:07a.m. on May 7, 2009

No, it's a rational and responsible decision. Swine flu has killed perfectly healthy young adults who were traveling in Mexico, where thousands are still infected. Allowing Yalies to travel to Mexico puts the entire campus at risk too. It was the only decision.

#3 By wondering 6:45a.m. on May 7, 2009

Wouldn't it be better to have extended the students (who are adults) the option of not going or going? The students who choose not to go getting the same treatment that Yale is offering now (summer stipend & the option to go next year). Lets be realistic, in a month's time given the spread of the swine flu in the United States, will avoiding Mexico really decrease their chances of catching it that significantly? What are the models for the spread and infection rates in the United States vs Mexico in the time frame in question? That is what is at issue. If the difference is huge, I understand Yale's decision as risk to the society would be large. If it is not then it should be left to the individual as risk to the society is small.

#4 By y10 9:34a.m. on May 7, 2009

They should ban all travel to countries that have high incidences of traffic fatalities, like Turkey. Those are about 100 times more likely to kill Yalies who are traveling.

#5 By yale 08 10:07a.m. on May 7, 2009

Swine flu hysteria is absurd.

Think of how many people die from the HEAT in the summer?

How many people die in car accidents?

This is a joke.

#6 By Close Reader 10:11a.m. on May 7, 2009

It appears it was the Mexican hosts who decided to cancel, NOT Yale...

"The decision was made after officials at Monterrey Tech requested that Yale postpone the program until summer 2010, University Secretary Linda Lorimer said."

#7 By Yale PhD 12:38p.m. on May 7, 2009

Unfortunately, students, there is a 25+ year gap in basic biology research that could have lead to development of flu treatments other than the tradional genetic-based vaccines.

#8 By It's here 2:34p.m. on May 7, 2009

Two words:

Zombie. Apocalypse.

http://yaledailynews.com/articles/view/28543

#9 By (Anonymous) 11:14p.m. on May 7, 2009

Finally, I get to kick some zombie ass!

#10 By US Department of State 9:34p.m. on May 18, 2009

Travel Advisory to Mexico No Longer in Effect: Party On!

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_3028.html

#11 By Great Decision 5:08a.m. on May 24, 2009

This way Americans won't unnecessarily put Mexicans in danger. N1H1 is now primarily a U.S. disease after all.

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