Another exciting weekend went by, families less anxious I think than before (must be watching Fox News and Telemundo); Saturday 5/2/09 — 3 positive Flu A, 4 positive for Strep Throat; Today, Sunday 5/3/09 — 1 positive Flu A, 13 (!) positive for Strep Throat.  Let’s not ignore Group A Beta Hemolytic Streptococcus pyogenes (the active ingredient in strep throat) — people die of strep.  George Washington did, as did Jim Henson and Lou Costello. People who have Strep get treated and followed up, just like children with flu.
Seriously, folks, we may be nearing the end of this hysteria. A Hong Kong hotel may still be sealed with people in it as you read this,  but here in New York, most people seem aware of swine flu being common and moderate rather than rare and severe; not so much snakes on a plane as geese in front of one.  If I helped any, I’m happy.  If you look at other stories from Tuesday 4/28 (when I had my radio interviews) and Wednesday 4/29 (when I was on Telemundo and Fox News), they tend to be far more alarmist.  Infections are, generally, not good for you.  Nature is not our friend; it is, at best, a disinterested observer in our ongoing disputes with the sabretooth tiger (which we won), Rickettsia rickettsii (which we are winning), and the human immunodeficiency virus (which is down but not out).  Should there ever be a real reason for elevated concern, watch this space: I will then –

“Cry havoc, and let slip the dogs of war”.