Is anyone else freaked out about the swine flu?

[Kyung]

So the world health organization has upgraded the Pandemic Alert Level to 5.

I'm tempted to start shopping for a little mini-hazmat suit for my daughter.

I think a school has been closed up in the Sacramento area.

For those of you who are worried.

The CDC has not recommended the use of masks by the general public. Swine flu is thought to be transmitted by touching something with the virus and then passing it to the nose or mouth or through coughing or sneezing.

So watch your kids like hawks and make sure they don't touch anything and to wash their hands constantly.

[Jennie Ann]

I was working on a hearing yesterday in which the chairman of the subcommittee stated that the White House has asked for $1.5 billion to be appropriated by Congress to combat the H1N1, as it has come to be known (a/k/a swine flu).

Funny thing is I kept typing "swing flu" instead of "swine flu" -- actually, that's not so funny, but at least I caught it before the transcript went out. :>)

I am glad we live in a country with the resources to fight it. Yes, it's very scary, and I am beginning to get nervous. I agree with the washing of the hands often. I hope they can stop it from spreading.

[Nina Colavolpe-Leone]

Hi, Kyung...

I, too, have been following this and just saw the WHO briefing on the Pandemic Alert 5 upgrade on CNN, and, am concerned as well. But, while we need to be cautious, we have to stay calm and not panic.

I think all of us should use our concern to educate and help others remember the easiest thing we can do to protect ourselves...namely, the simplest public health measure...Wash your hands for the time it takes to sing "Happy Birthday" and make sure you rinse well. Also, use hand sanitizer when you are not near soap and water, or anytime you think you may have touched something infectious (like public computer keyboards). Get a small pocket-sized bottle and keep it with you in purse or pocket.

And, PLEASE, everyone, if you become seriously ill, DO NOT go to work or school and infect others!!! Stay home, rest, take care of yourself. You are not going to win any prizes for dragging yourself in and sneezing and coughing all over the place. Now, not only are you still sick, but others are sick as well, and the virus spreads.

Check the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) website for updates, and stay informed as to what is happening.

[Glen Warner]

Kyung --

So, I'm a day late and a dollar short on this one, but ... well, here goes.

Have you ever seen Stephen King's mini-series, "The Stand"? If not, watch the first 10 minutes.

If anything spreads as quickly as the epidemic did in that movie, THEN there's cause to worry! As it is now, the Swine Flu is ... just another flu.

Oh, and I would avoid taking any Swine Flu vaccines. They rushed out a vaccine for the Swine Flu back in 1976. Lots of side effects ... and more people died of the vaccine than the Swine Flu!

Rumor has it that a good concentration of Vitamin D-3 is enough to keep yourself clear of the flu ... and the best way to get Vitamin D-3 is ... spend about 20 minutes a day in the sun.

Of course, it's raining up here in the Pacific North Wet, so ... well, you know. :o)

--gdw

P.S.:

Jennie --

Remember: "It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that --" well, you know ...!

--gdw
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