Panic is worse than virus itself.

precaution is very important

...Hi mac_fish, You make a good point. The worry that everyone has over the swine flu could make some things worse than actually contacting it. They have reported that some 20,000 or so cases have only been a very bad cold and not the H1N1 as previously reported. I think that 30,000 or so people die every year from regular flu. They don't think it is going to be as bad as they originally thought it would be, which is a good thing. Worrying about it only makes it worse, as you say. Take care. Be well.

And what should I do?..I've read that the vaccine will NOT be available for me because of my age. I suppose the government has decided that should something nasty happen to me during all of this that they can live without my taxes..Of course, it could be a ploy to erradicate the last of the baby boomers before they reach retirement age and want their (social sic-urity) money back..(laugh, it won't hurt you!) The panic hasn't started yet. When someone coughs or sneezes in public and you see hostile reaction, then you'll know..I wonder if being a swinephobe will be treated as a hate crime or vermin control, maybe with bounties paid for the heads of infected persons?..hmm.. Should I get sick, I'll deal with it. Should I not deal with it well I prefer sunflowers, daisies, dandelions and wild roses.. Enjoy!

To create a panic situation out of fear is the best weapon a terrorist might inflict. Its a psychological thing and once you got into it, fear would come instantly. Terrorist used this as a weapon to spread havoc amongst those targeted. whether its a pandemic or a terrorist, panic is best resolved when people are well educated and knows what to do in case of an emergency. Therefore, the best weapon and counter-measure we could have is to educate ourselves and stay calm in such situations.

I agree that it is often the case that 'the cure is worse than the disease' - or, the classic US Army line: "We had to destroy the village in order to save it." Precautious I have taken after the outbreak of whatever-flu-it-is-this-time: not injecting hospital waste directly into my veins; not licking the back of bus seats; not snorting powdered chicken innards. That is all. I think the panic is overstated.