Swine Flu: Humor Might Be the Best Medicine

The swine flu hysteria is definitely getting to me. Although I know intellectually that it is being hyped up by the news media, I can't help but feel powerless in protecting my kids. I initially meant this post to be a calming post full of reassuring facts. But my research did little to quiet my fears. Here's what I learned:

• According to the CDC, as of Thursday night, there were no cases in New Jersey, but there are 50 in New York, more than any other state. However, local papers are stating that there are five definite NJ cases and 2 more probable, casting doubt on the CDC numbers overall. All cases were so mild that they did not require hospitalization.
  
• Not much is known about the swine flu (H1N1). A vaccine is months away from being ready, but the virus is susceptible to the prescription antiviral drugs oseltamivir and zanamivir.
• Swine Flu seems to be spreading the way regular flu spreads: by the coughing and sneezing of a sick person, or by touching a surface contaminated by the virus and then touching the eyes, ears, or nose.
• Eating pork is safe. There is no evidence that US pigs are infected.
  
• At this time, the CDC is only recommending the following measures to keep from getting sick: wash your hands, cough and sneeze into tissues and then throw out those tissues, stay at least six feet away from sick people, keep your kids home from school if they are sick with fever.
• The key seems to be the length of time you spend washing your hands. Dr. Richard Besser, acting head of the CDC, suggested teaching your kids to wash their hands as long as it takes them to sing "Happy Birthday".
• Although the government says it is safe to fly and ride the subway, Vice President Joe Biden said yesterday that he recommended to his family to avoid those modes of transportation. He later changed his tune and said he meant non-essential travel to Mexico.
  
• And if there have been cases in your community, the CDC further recommends staying away from crowded places like movie theaters, shopping malls, or places where there are lots of people.

Um, hello??? Yesterday I went to a mall, watched a movie with my son and his friend, we ate popcorn, put our hands on the arm rests, and clutched the pole of the carousel. I feel feverish as I type!

In the face of all this uncertainty, laughter is probably the best medicine. Here's a picture of what not to do: