We've been telling our kids in the states and anyone else who asks that, honestly, regarding the outbreak of flu here things have been handled quite well. My only questions center around the pig industry facilities which, as in the US are not exactly bastions of wonderfulness. But as far as dealing with the outbreak, informing and mobilizing the public, making available public medical facilities, etc., etc., efforts here have made me feel more comfortable here than I would in the US with the situation (or at least than I would have felt in the Bush years). People who don't know Mexico, including our own relatives and friends, think we're delusional, but it is they who are stuck in a trap of false assumptions and prejudices which are unfortunately regularly fed by the press and by US public officials including, unfortunately Obama, whom I wish knew a lot more about Mexico than he appears to. And the Mexican public, as far as we can tell, is acting calm and reasonable and compliantly. They aren't screaming and shouting and objecting, but they are understanding the need for the precautions and following them, sometimes with great humor. Mexicans are prone to criticize their government. They do it often and articulately. But they aren't making a lot of useless noise which diverts from the important matters at hand as groups in the US might.
Here is a link to an op ed piece in today's NY Times by Julio Frank, Mexico's minister of health from 2000 to 2006. He is now dean of Harvard's School of Public Health. It is a model of clarity and sense. Perhaps he can singlehandedly inform you on the status of public health in Mexico, the nature of the Mexican response, international efforts, questions about the flu itself, and can destroy some of your stereotypes about Mexicans. It is important to read it.