It may please you to know that Fox was the only news site I had looked at- certainly wasn't trying to imply that they were the only one. However, the comments from the readers were pretty entertaining.

I agree that there's importance on being aware.

"Hey, a new strain of flu seems to be spreading out of Mexico, if you are experiencing flu symptoms it is more important this year that you get checked out sooner than you might otherwise."

That's helpful.

"Oh my god, Dr. Sanjay Gupta is the end of the world really upon us!!!!!!!! How many millions (dare we say billions?????) of people will be dead before this horror is over!?!?!?!?!??!?!?!?!??!?!??!?!?!??!?!?!?!??!?!?! ?!??!. Also, some might say that our American audiences may want to go wait for the first serious domestic case of Swine Flu before panicking. Maybe even for a death. But wouldn't you agree that it is never too soon for hyteria?! Please hold your answer until after this commercial break. After you answer we'll somehow link this to an Anderson Cooper piece on the perils of eating smoked monkey meat."

That's not so much helpful. And that's pretty much what I've been seeing on CNN (haven't watched any Fox recently) since Friday before there was any significant official information from health agencies.

40,000 people per year already die of influenza each year in this country. While I'm glad the health agencies are on it and I'm glad I'm aware of the issue I just can't get worked up about it until there is more evidence that this strain will cause even a 10% fluctuation in that number and until then the level of coverage (and the tone particularly) seems comicly excessive.

And it does wear you down. How many people pay attention any more to the occasional "2 cases of Nile virus infections reported in Contra Costa county; death is upon us again" any more?

My Mom was freaking out because when we came back from California the kid and I were sick. Ummm that was two weeks ago and the kid has been to the Dr. I think we're safe.

She doesn't ever think before she freaks out, it sucks having an alarmist as a Mom. Thank goodness she lives many states away! I'm sure the news isn't helping her state of mind either though.

And that's why it's a problem. Too many times crying wolf and no one believes in the wolf anymore.

I'm not saying I LIKE the media freakout, I just see it as inevitable.And it bugs me when people use the media freakout as evidence that the CDC is b.s. and that there's no possible reason to pay attention to pandemic warnings ever.

SWINE WATCH 2009!

Swine flu?

Ha!

When pigs fly.

I agree, it generally does not reflect on the CDC when things are overhyped (especially when the overhype began before they'd even issued any statements). And their statements generally have the appropriate emotionless that is appropriate. And for the most part right now they aren't saying things that they don't always say it is just that the news is reporting every word.

But, beyond normal interest in what is happening in the rest of the world, since the press over-reacts to pretty much everything regardless of justification, until there is an overflowing morgue somewhere in the United States it will remain just a point of interest and not anything of concern to me.

But I'm still planing to head for Vegas, Boulder is too boring and cold in the winter.

I spent two and a hours at the laundromat yesterday instead of Saturday because I decided to go to the LA Times Festival of Books. And for two and a half hours at the laundromat yesterday, CNN was pounding me with Swine Fly warnings and tape of the soccer game with no one attending. (Yes, I go to a telenovelaless laundromat.)

So now I'm thinking "Oh crap! There were LOTS of people at UCLA. Did we give Swine Flu to Kristen Chenowith? Did we GET Swine Flu from Bob Barker? Where have these people BEEN?" We're doomed! And it's MY fault because I didn't do the laundry! Dirty lingerie will give you swine flu.

Seriously. I'm basically a practical person but after 2 and a half hours of CNN I thought the black plague was being visited upon us.

So how about "hey, if you get the flu, call the doctor. You'll probably be fine, just like with any flu. If you ignore it, you'll get sicker."

Too simplistic, isn't it?