From the
WHO website:
Phase 6, the pandemic phase, is characterized by community level outbreaks in at least one other country in a different WHO region in addition to
the criteria defined in Phase 5. Designation of this phase will indicate that a global pandemic is under way.
Based on the
PMS website, the first 2 cases in my county have come and gone with only "mild flulike" symptoms
observed in an old lady and an infant/toddler after they had visited family in Mexico.
Apparently, they medicated the rest of the family just to be cautious...not much more detail I can find about it, but there've been a couple more
cases reported and I'm looking for the details now.
So far, from what I can gather, we Americans seem to be handling the virus just like any other flu. I am guessing the reason for alarm is because of
how fast it is spreading and also the fact that this is a new strain for which we have no vaccine.
Personally, I am not that worried yet, but I am, of course, sad to read about people dying from it, but no more so than I am for people dying of the
common flu.
I guess I'd just say use your own internal barometer and do what you feel like doing. Nobody can fault you for protecting the ones you love.
edit to add:
I would agree that we might see the kinds of social impact that Woldwatcher there mentioned as people respond to the hype.
[edit on 29-4-2009 by 4N6310]