World Before Swine

My seven year old was all excited because he was supposed to go to Schneider Children's Hospital for a health fair tomorrow (second grade trip).  This is the place that receives the afghans that Mommy and her friends at work make; they go to the children who receive treatments there, for cuddling and warmth.  But the trip was cancelled because some of the Long Island swine flu patients are being treated there.

A high school chum is coming in from Tucson to spend a few days here, including a lovely dinner with a dozen or so classmates on Saturday.  She's being warned by some people that maybe it isn't a good idea, but luckily she is in the health care industry and receives to-the-minute CDC info -- so can make her own informed decision.  However, I thought she had a good point with a comment she made yesterday:  she was just as afraid to venture into her local Wal-Mart.  

When my kids were in day care (through preschool age) they used to get all the germs because the kids were always in close quarters with bodily fluids mixing.  I guess some of the high school students are now at the age where they are again in the habit of being in close quarters with bodily fluids mixing...my oldest is not yet thirteen and girls are still yucky so I suppose we're safe as far as that goes.  

I have reminded the kids to stay away from anyone who is coughing, sneezing, or looks very pale or feverish...and to wash their own hands more often.  Apart from this, we're not at the point where we should put our lives on hold because of the swine flu.  At least I hope we aren't.