Feeling better already

County officials say Marion is prepared for swine flu

By Naseem Sowti Miller
Staff writer

County officials said on Tuesday that they're ready to handle any possible cases or outbreaks of swine flu here.

The county's Pandemic Influenza Planning Committee, which was formed in 2006 in response to human avian flu cases overseas, has been meeting regularly since.

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Velez said that the health department is monitoring the situation closely and will keep the public informed.

"It's not a time to panic," she said. "It's time to stay informed, and understand how to protect yourself. And it's all the basics. Things your mother taught you: wash your hands, cover your mouth ... common sense things."

Actually I do feel better. No, no panic here...hell, I remember too well the over-reaction in the 1976 version of swine flu. But I know some of the people on this Pandemic Influenza Planning Committee, and they're pretty damn good.