What that says to me is that the CDC overreacted. I expect the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to not overreact.

See, I don't think they did. The way to shut down an epidemic is to close it off into pockets and then let those pockets burn themselves out. To do this when the pockets are small enough to be contained you often have to make a call before all the information is in.

Also, this country has a history of ignoring the fuck out of the CDC. Just look at AIDS to see that. The CDC had recommendations about shutting down bathhouses in San Francisco and trying to get the outbreak under control. If those had been heeded early on, far before more information was in, before they even found the virus that causes AIDS, then it could have had a serious impact on the overall scope of the AIDS pandemic. Yes, I am still seething with rage over the fact that communities did now follow the recommendations of the CDC when it comes to that.

I am still seething with rage over the fact that communities did now follow the recommendations of the CDC when it comes to that.

My rage is also for the Red Cross and the blood banks for refusing to use the early tests.

My rage is also for the Red Cross and the blood banks for refusing to use the early tests.

Which was, once again, part of the CDC recommendation and was ignored.

If the SF had been as virulent as the information the CDC had suggested

Look, I understand that my opinion is not the prevailing one. And that opinion is: I believe that, looking at the data they had, the CDC overreacted. The CDC isn't infallible. Everything they say/recommend isn't automatically correct simply by virtue of the fact that they said it.

Many, many people think that erring largely on the side of caution was necessary. That's cool. They can believe that, just as I can believe that it wasn't necessary.

The initial mortality rate figures coming out of Mexico were very, very scary. A mortality rate of 1 or 2 percent would be horrible.

That's the thing, .001% of a large population is still an awfully large number.

I'm incredibly relieved that the graduating class of Regent university seems to not be running the CDC right now, AIF...well, maybe not great, but at least it's still run by doctors and stuff. Given "Brownie", I can't take that for granted like I used to.

Yes, the CDC should be listened to. The problem is, the news is STILL going "OMGWTFBBQSwineFlu!!!!!" The report even SAYS "and the CDC is saying schools should re-open, there is no reason to close them...", and yet the reporters are in dire faces, and gloomy voices, and woa to us attitudes. Which John Q Public is paying attention to, and then they keep the school closed, cancel the field trips, and then we loose 3/4 of the our audience for half our shows this week (because it's all about me).

Yes, I think CDC did the right thing. Yes, the school in NY that had 12 or so kids sick, did the right thing. No, the other schools across USA (glares @ Fort Worth) should NOT have closed when they had *no* infected kids.

No, the other schools across USA (glares @ Fort Worth) should NOT have closed when they had *no* infected kids.

I'll agree with that. I'm pretty sure the CDC recommended against closing schools with no infections.

vw, can you ask for an assistant, or at least someone to spell you for a couple of breaks or something? Either way, here's hoping tomorrow will be better.

HaHaHaHaHa! That's a funny joke. It actually went ok. The kids were really well-behaved today, and the weather cooperated so we were able to just be outside.

Maybe I'm just ignoring the problem, but how much of this is an actual problem and how much of it is the media needing something to make a fuss about?

I agree that it's a potential problem, but I'm kind of sick of all the hype too. Though, I have to admit that it's weird going to the hospital for appointments and having to walk past their testing center, which is essentially in the hallway. I have to admit, I half expect to get the swine flu. I mean, I have the immune system of well, I don't know what, but it ain't good, and I work with kids. Recipe for swine flu, if you ask me.

So, my shrink wanted to hospitalize me today. I convinced him I was just having a particularly bad day, but ugh. NO TIME FOR HOSPITAL! I was encouraged that my therapist thought it was a total over-reaction, but ugh.

I'm taking tonight off. I'm already in my jammies, had dinner, and am about to pop in Enchanted. Hopefully it will chill me out and make me sleepy!