[eharri3]

Every year

I remember when EBOLA was the big thing. Then West nile took its place. Then there was SARS. Bird flu. Disease and illness is out there and people die from it in some cases. Panicking doesn't fix things it only makes life more unpleasant. Practice proper hygene at home and get the vaccine when it becomes available. If someone gets sick go to the doctor. What else can you do. There are also rusty nails, rabid stray animals, and germ-infested water fountains out there. Tons of families out there with dogs and cats that run around outside all day licking their own poop and other disgusting things on the ground and then come home and lick the kids' faces with those same tongues. And if you REALLY want something to panic about, I've walked around in the back kitchens of some fast food restaraunts and seen things that would make you gag happening right next to food that is waiting to be cooked and served to customers.

It IS hype and we ARE playing right into the media's hands. Every year whatever new illness they happen to decide to focus on becomes the bubonic plague of the 21st century and we'll all get frightened out of our minds and keep tuning in every night to see where it crops up, no matter how small of a section of the population it actually effects. Even if statistics show there is no real sudden comparative spike in cases.

Just take precautions and live your life. It does you or your kids no good for you to give yourself ulcers over it and make them stay in the house 24/7. Cause guess what: H1N1 will be replaced by the new bubonic plague of the day in the media in a few months when this all dies down and they need a new health story to keep you tuning in. Do you plan to put a bubble over your house and avoid all human contact forever, forbidding your kids from having any contact with other children?