# Are you preparing for the worst? (swine flu) **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 27, 2009, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-preparing-for-the-worst-swine-flu/494488 "2009-04-27T12:32:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![EpicNonsense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c37758/32.png) [@EpicNonsense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EpicNonsense)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2009, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-preparing-for-the-worst-swine-flu/494488/1 "2009-04-27T12:32:34Z")
Personally, I don’t know what to think, as we’re still in the very early stages (I’ll make another decision in the next 48 hours), but this morning, Monday, I’m definitely going to be stocking on various things, such as food–it doesn’t hurt to be ready. Besides, stocking up on food and liquids won’t hurt and will save a few trips to the market later on. Also, should it get serious, I’d hate to be the one saying “doh!” when I arrive at the market and there is a crisis. What are you folks thinking, and what are you doing? ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2009, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-preparing-for-the-worst-swine-flu/494488/2 "2009-04-27T12:37:02Z")
Likely I won’t. I work from home and so my exposure is likely to be low. I may try to make a habit of washing my hands when I get home. ---
**Author:** ![Who\_me\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/958977/32.png) [@Who\_me\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Who_me_1)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2009, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-preparing-for-the-worst-swine-flu/494488/3 "2009-04-27T12:40:59Z")
Nope. I work and see people all day. If I get sick, I get sick. It wouldn’t be the first Swine Flu I’ve gotten. ---
**Author:** ![Antigen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/848f3c/32.png) [@Antigen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antigen)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2009, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-preparing-for-the-worst-swine-flu/494488/4 "2009-04-27T12:52:07Z")
I’m not flipping out and buying survival supplies. But I work in a hospital and I expect us to have a pandemic drill in the next week or so. If for some reason we decide to step up to higher precautions, they’ll have a station set up by the door every day for us all to get checked over for symptoms before we’re allowed into work. On my shift, I’m the one running the rapid flu tests. So I’ll be one of the first to know if we’ve got trouble in the area. ---
**Author:** ![pbbth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f9ae1b/32.png) [@pbbth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pbbth)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2009, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-preparing-for-the-worst-swine-flu/494488/5 "2009-04-27T13:13:56Z")
I’m making a point of washing my hands every time I come inside (especially if I’ve been on the subway) and I am also taking my vitamins every day. Other than that there isn’t much I can do. Besides, I think the panic on this one may be a bit premature, at least here in NY. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2009, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-preparing-for-the-worst-swine-flu/494488/6 "2009-04-27T13:42:14Z")
I spend the vast majority of my time at home, but we could pick it up at the gym or grocery store. I’m not worried, though (for us). I’m concerned for the high risk people, should this thing get out of hand. I think the CDC and local health departments are doing a good job. Shutting down the schools and disinfecting is the correct first step. CDC Lady said they have two drugs that are very effective against this particular flu strain. ---
**Author:** ![Foxy40](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a9a28c/32.png) [@Foxy40](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Foxy40)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2009, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-preparing-for-the-worst-swine-flu/494488/7 "2009-04-27T14:30:27Z")
A physician friend of mine works shifts in the E.D. a couple of weekends a month. He came in today and said they treated at least 20 people that were swearing they had the Swine Flu. (None did. None even warranted blood being sent to the CDC.). It doesn’t take much for people to totally freak out, does it? ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2009, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-preparing-for-the-worst-swine-flu/494488/8 "2009-04-27T14:42:53Z")
Knee-jerk reactions are just stupid. I intend to continue living my life as usual. ---
**Author:** ![Oredigger77](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/oredigger77/32/3181_2.png) [@Oredigger77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oredigger77)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2009, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-preparing-for-the-worst-swine-flu/494488/9 "2009-04-27T14:58:01Z")
Well, I slaughtered all of my pigs this weekend. Unfortunately, they sneezed all over me, I think I was too late so today I’m at work infecting as many people as I can. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2009, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-preparing-for-the-worst-swine-flu/494488/10 "2009-04-27T15:00:39Z")
TV news has a great frontline story to hype. If they blare ,they have the latest info on the potential epidemic, you have to tune in. It may be more of the same ,but you don’t know until you listen. Then you walk away pissed because nothing new was run. I live in a camper down by the river. I am as safe as ever. I have 500 doses of Tami-flu with me.All is well. ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2009, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-preparing-for-the-worst-swine-flu/494488/11 "2009-04-27T15:11:55Z")
I’m not making any special preparations. Who survives and who doesn’t will have no apparent rhyme or reason. I will make sure that I have gas in the motorcycle and a route to Las Vegas mapped in case I am one of the survivors, though. ---
**Author:** ![ColonelDax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/71e660/32.png) [@ColonelDax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ColonelDax)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2009, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-preparing-for-the-worst-swine-flu/494488/12 "2009-04-27T15:20:38Z")
> [@EpicNonsense](#): > > What are you folks thinking, and what are you doing? Watching my GlaxoSmithKline shares rise. ---
**Author:** ![MadTheSwine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MadTheSwine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MadTheSwine)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2009, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-preparing-for-the-worst-swine-flu/494488/13 "2009-04-27T16:50:45Z")
Oink ---
**Author:** ![Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/half_man_half_wit/32/21766_2.png) [@Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Half_Man_Half_Wit)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2009, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-preparing-for-the-worst-swine-flu/494488/14 "2009-04-27T17:19:40Z")
Well, if things continue to proceed the way they’re doing now, there’s a good chance that prices for pork in the future might fall a little, which nicely suits my at the moment somewhat less than well-off financial situation, so yeah… I’m definitely preparing for the wurst! 😛 ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2009, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-preparing-for-the-worst-swine-flu/494488/15 "2009-04-27T18:21:51Z")
> [@Oredigger77](#): > > Well, I slaughtered all of my pigs this weekend. Unfortunately, they sneezed all over me, I think I was too late so today I’m at work infecting as many people as I can. BBQ at the **Oredigger77** ranch! I expect I’ll be getting my invite any day now… ---
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2009, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-preparing-for-the-worst-swine-flu/494488/16 "2009-04-27T18:30:00Z")
In about 1978, I remember riding in a subway in NYC that had a sign warning of Swine Flu with a great sketch of a pig. I thought it was funny…a friend simply stood up, tore the sign down and gave it to me. Damn, I wish I had kept that poster/sign. It was quite the scare back then, but nothing really happened. However, I am somewhat compulsive about washing my hands. Considering I teach at a college where I come into contact with all kinds of coughs/sneezes and cooties every day, I have to assume my immune system is fairly rugged by now. Still, I intend to continue my ritual of washing my hands after every class. Never know who was on the keyboards in the computer labs, who was holding the door open, who was sitting in that chair at that desk earlier. ---
**Author:** ![Misnomer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/misnomer/32/14897_2.png) [@Misnomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Misnomer)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2009, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-preparing-for-the-worst-swine-flu/494488/17 "2009-04-27T18:36:38Z")
My SO and I are doing nothing. Hadn’t even occurred to me until I saw this thread, actually. I figure my odds of catching anything serious are pretty low, at least at this point. > [@Antigen](#): > > I’ll be one of the first to know if we’ve got trouble in the area. IIRC, your hospital is just blocks from my brother’s apartment and also pretty close to my mother’s house: if you see anything scary, I’d appreciate a PM. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2009, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-preparing-for-the-worst-swine-flu/494488/18 "2009-04-27T18:50:08Z")
I work in a hospital, and we got a pretty standard E-mail about it, much like we’d get during influenza season but with more explanation and none of the “go get vaccinated” talk since there isn’t one. Symptoms, reminders about good infection prevention steps (we get tested on that yearly too), admonishments to stay/go home if you have influenza symptoms, reminders on how to question patients during intake, etc. We get these for any mildly (or moreso) notable infectious disease outbreaks. ---
**Author:** ![LouisB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dfb087/32.png) [@LouisB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LouisB)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2009, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-preparing-for-the-worst-swine-flu/494488/19 "2009-04-27T18:53:57Z")
I’m still waiting to die from the bird flu. ---
**Author:** ![Yeticus\_Rex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a698b9/32.png) [@Yeticus\_Rex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yeticus_Rex)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2009, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-preparing-for-the-worst-swine-flu/494488/20 "2009-04-27T18:54:20Z")
Exercising, eating healthy, washing hands and stop sticking your fingers in any orifices is really the best way to stave off many illnesses, not just the swine flu. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-preparing-for-the-worst-swine-flu/494488.md?page=2)