Well this is a bit off topic I suppose but definitely worthy of discussion. H1N1 is receiving so much coverage lately and is so often compared to the Spanish Flu of 1918 which killed millions of people. It's difficult though to actually know what to believe these days.

The world seems to gone into panic mode. Most cases I hear about are mild (including some of the children in my kids schools). They were very sick for a few days though. Then who hear about the children who have died - did they or did they not have underlying conditions? No one knows for sure..

Most people here are isolating themselves from public places whenever they can. Schools and workplaces have a high absentee rate and I took the bus the other day during peak hours and there were only two people on it!

How is it affecting your communities? Anyone else as confused and as stressed out about this as I am?

Since I am officially retired I am not as affected by the swirling controversy regarding H1N1 mostly because I see fewer people on a daily basis than when I was working. I spend Tues and Thurs mornings at my local FHC; however, the number of people I contact there is relatively small. I follow the usual precautions regarding hygiene and contagious diseases--washing hands, etc.

My wife works with a multilevel retirement facility and they have not yet been able to secure enough vaccine to vaccinate all of the staff. My son owns and operates a music school and he and his staff have already gotten vaccinated. My daughter teaches in a private school and I believe the staff there has gotten vaccinations.

I know that local hospitals have been preparing special places and methods outside of the hospital itself to handle a flu outbreak should it materialize. The local newspaper usually contains an article regarding H1N1 and other types of flu on a regular basis if not everyday.

Well, that's the story here in Lake Wobegon where all the women are strong, all the men are good looking, and all the children are above average

I love Garrison Keiler


It's crazy here too Nuccia... the panic is spreading. Everywhere you go people are really worried/concerned. The Media hype is intense as well.
I know two people here that have had it, a milder form but still. I had to cover one of them on third shift earlier this week.

Not much of an impact here in Chicago's suburbs. A few schools closed for a few days. One of my grandchildren (12 year old) had it for about a week, a mild case. My circle of friends (older folks) don't seem to be having a problem. Our doctor gave us the regular flu shot but said he doesn't think we need the H1N1 dose. So, we wash hands, sneeze into our elbows, (that can give you a stiff neck) and stay away from crowded pubs...:-)

I heard there were a few cases in my grandsons school..but, those grandkids got the shot. The others didnt. No cases in their schools..that they know of. They live a half hour north of me..I havent heard anything in my area, as far as people getting it.

The stores are full of people, nobody around here seems to give it much thought.

I was nervous about this, early on..but, I am not now. If they were dropping like flies around here, I would worry..but it doesnt seem that way.

Well it looks like it's hit my house as of yesterday. It's definitely some kind of flu -cough, sore throat, muscle aches and even fever but the fever is not too high and their appetite good so it's confusing. My sons look like hell though. And hubby was feeling awful last night. Him I am concerned about.

I work in a large university hospital (about 6000 employees) and we recently got enough vaccines to vaccinate our patient care providers and pregnant employees first and other staff after that. The nasal spray (live virus) is in greatest supply, however, small children, babies, immune system comprised people and people over the age of 50 cannot have the nasal spray. I got my shot (I am immune compromised) last week. Be patient and keep checking. The vaccinations are coming in but due to the demand, the supply cannot keep up. For what it's worth, our best medical staff has told me they plan on vaccinating their families.