Swine flu

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Well, the swine flu is making it's second run on Pacific Northwesterners.  Shoulda been over by now, but, it seems, the best may be yet to come.  My community has two dozen stricken hospitalized, fiver of whom are in ICU.

Unlike seasonal viral influenza, this guy seems to go after young people, from late teens to twenties.  It is speculated that it finds a host in the people who have not had exposure to similar viruses in the past, therefore less resistance to H1N1.

So, even though it is nice and summery out there, avoid large crowds in an enclosed setting, like closely packed air conditioned places.  Keep your hands clean, washing or gelling frequently, especially after shopping, opening doors, or using a public pen or charge pad or ATM.  Keep your hands and pencils away from your face; mouth, eyes, nose, cheeks.  If you use a spice shaker at a table, wrap it in a napkin or gel after, especially if you are then going to eat finger food.  Use straws when drinking from a reusable glass, lest it be inefficiently cleaned.  

If you are around someone in public who is coughing, has a runny nose, looks flushed or not well, leave and wash your hands.  If you are a captive of the circumstances, put on a mask.  No kidding.  If you go to a health facility with symptoms like that, they make you put on a mask. Since the other person probably wouldn't take the suggestion well, protect yourself and put one on.  In the unlikely event that someone asks, tell them 'darned allergies'.  

Masks are available at any health facility or to purchase at Wal Mart, Walgreen's, etc.  Get one that protects you from germs and virus, not just dust and pollen.  Those are known as 'nuisance' masks, and won't protect you from H1N1 or any other critter.  Ask the pharmacist or pharmacy tech.

We are not out of the woods on this flu season yet.  Protect yourself.  I don't wanna see ya in the hospital...