By ginabean418
on May 01, 2009  

Before panicking, I think it's important to remember that 36,000 people die annually from the regular, run-of-the-mill seasonal flu. While I feel for those who have died or are ill, I think much of the panic and fear is unnecessary and is a direct result of the swine-flu media frenzy. Cynical as it may sound, I firmly believe the media exploits our fears to gain ratings. Talk about swine flu, get more viewers. I find it appalling. Making smart decisions as you would during any high-illness season and being aware are great preventative measures. Best health wishes!

By funnylaugh09
on May 01, 2009  

Pretty much keep up w/news constantly, on internet/TV, but always a handwasher, and have bottles of sanitizer/Lysol triple all over house @ all times. But w/this going on, will watch where I go, etc. Amen to that!

By comanchegirl
on May 01, 2009  

I am washing my hands more, using the sanitizing sprays when I use a shopping cart and after. Jus being more careful when I am around alot of people.

By shirleywhite10
on May 01, 2009  

i am very concerned about this, when i was 7 yrs old in 1976 i had swine flu and it almost killed me. mine was different because it was truely swine flu that was given to me from pigs. we lived on a farm and i told my grandpa i wanted baby pigs and he got me some and this is how i came into contact with it. this type of it scares me, becuase you can get it from another person.

By agaphmou
on May 02, 2009  

Wash hands very frequently,stay away from people coughing,carry hand sanitizer with you.

By SW5660
on May 02, 2009  

i UNDERSTAND THAT THIS NEW FLU THAT THE COUNTRY IS DEALING WITH COULD VERYWELL BE THE WORSE IN DECADES. i LIVE IN THE COUNTRY 8 MILES FROM TOWN , WITH THE NEAREST NEIGHBOR 3/4 MILE AWAY. I DO MY VERY BEST TO STEAR CLEAR IF I KNOW THERE IS SICKNESS IN THE AREA OR HOMES. BUT YOU CAN'T ISOLATE YOURSELF COMPLETELY FROM EVERYDAY LIFE. tHERE ALWAYS SEEMS TO BE SOMEWHERE TO GO , OR SOMEONE YOU HAVE TO SEE. I'VE HAD MY REGULAR FLU SHOT THIS YEAR AND SO FAR EVERYTHING HAS BEEN FINE. I AM HOPEFULL THAT IT ENDS SOON AND THAT NO ONE AROUND HERE COMES IN CONTACT WITH THIS NEW STRAIN. bUT IF IT HAPPENS THEN i WILL BE THERE TO HELP WITH WHATEVER i CAN DO TO HELP. tHATS WHY WE ARE HERE IN THE FIRST PLACE. TO HELP OTHERS IN NEED NO MATTER WHAT THE COST, AND NO MATTER WHO THEY ARE.

By butterflyy11
on May 02, 2009  

i have been hearing about people dying. and at my job even if you are sniffing or just have a cold they are not letting you work you must go to the hospital and get cleared of the swine flu, they even talking about everybody getting vaccinated

By sarahmarah
on May 02, 2009  

I went to Kroger yesterday and this man was asking me if I knew where the hand santitizer was located in the store. He was looking in the right place but the shelf was cleared completely, not even one left in the store...I told him people are really freaking out. Personally, I think we should be careful but I don't think it is time to go into the "bomb shelters" yet.

By coker91
on May 02, 2009  

I'm taking this as seriously as I do the regular flu, You do the things that you know should be done like hand washing etc. But I'm definitely not letting this new flu strain cause me to do anything different

By Maggie1949
on May 02, 2009  

Maybe if people took the flu this seriously every year, thousands wouldn't die from it. Maybe there's a lesson in this?