Swine Flu and You

This constitutes the college's response to swine flu and went up promptly about a week or more ago, found in all bathrooms and the kitchen:


















































I'm not worried about dying if I catch the flu. I just don't want to catch it because then I may not be able to travel overseas! And my chances aren't looking good, given that I'm living in the black-listed state.

Smarttraveller.gov advises to "exercise caution" if travelling to the States:

• We advise you to exercise caution and monitor developments that might affect your safety in the United States because of the risk of terrorism.
• Pay close attention to your personal security and monitor the media for information about possible new safety or security risks.
• The United States Department of Homeland Security's Advisory System Threat Level is at Orange for all domestic and international flights, indicating a "high" risk of terrorist attack. It is at Yellow or "elevated" for all other sectors, indicating a "significant" risk of terrorist attack.
• On 24 April 2009 the World Health Organization (WHO) advised Australia of an outbreak of influenza illness in the United States and Mexico. On 27 April 2009 cases were also identified in Canada. You should consult a doctor or the nearest hospital immediately if you develop flu-like symptoms. For further information see also our travel bulletin on H1N1 Influenza 09 (Human Swine Influenza).
• On 29 April 2009, the WHO raised the level of the influenza outbreak from phase 4 to phase 5 (of 6). The change to a higher phase of pandemic alert means that there is human-to-human spread in two countries in one WHO region. See the Health Issues section for more information.

Also, the amount of people who have said to me that they want to catch swine flu so they can get special consideration for exams is ridiculous. Not as ridiculous as this though:

INFLUENZA experts have warned Australians against hosting "swine flu parties" after reports of Americans trying to get the virus while it was mild to build immunity.

According to reports, parties are being held in the US where healthy children interact with sick ones, aiming to get the virus and produce antibodies against it in case a more severe second wave develops.

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JAG