Swine Flu's Gunna get you

In the U.S., more than 30,000 people die every year from the flu.

More than 30,000.

In America, two people so far has died from the swine flu.

One person had been treated in Mexico, only coming to the States toward the end. When it was too late. The other the say had lots of undisclosed medical conditions.

Yet people are in a panic. Joe Biden is telling his family to stay off subways. U.S. officials are saying "There WILL be deaths." People are washing their hands compulsively and staying away from movie theaters and stadiums. I've even heard people say they wouldn't eat at a Mexican restaurant right now.

It doesn't matter if it makes sense or not.

If you have flu symptoms, go to a doctor. Get treated. It's that simple. Don't stop eating pork because someone 'twittered' the untrue rumor that you can get it that way. Don't go out and invest in a surgical mask. Don't cancel your vacation to Florida because Biden said we should avoid airplanes. Just calm down.

It doesn't help that every day you login to read the dramatic media coverage of events. "The U.S. has 68 confirmed cases in five states," the Associated Press reported Tuesday. 45 of those are in New York.

Uh-oh. Better cancel that trip to New York. And if you encounter anyone who has been to New York, walk away immediately. Stop shaking people's hands, start carrying antibacterial hand gel around with you everywhere you go. In short, live your life in fear.

I'm curious just how many cases of REGULAR flu are out there right now. In the U.S., it has to be more than 68. In fact, last year REGULAR flu killed 83 children and 36,000 adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control. That's 306 deaths a month. That's around ten deaths a DAY.

Got your antibacterial soap now?

Your likelihood of dying in a car accident is much greater than your likelihood of dying from the swine flu. In fact, it is estimated 115 people die in car crashes EVERY DAY. So if you cancel your plans tonight and stay home, THAT should be your reason. Not your fear of catching this flu.

Don't blame the media. They prey on your fears. Your fears lead you to buy a paper or tune into the evening news. They're just giving you what you want.

Don't blame the government. They HAVE to be prepared and they HAVE to inform. If they wrote the swine flu off as no big deal and massive amounts of people died from it, they'd be held liable.

I'm not saying you shouldn't be informed and be careful. Certainly, you should. But should you barricade yourself in your house and refuse to let your children to go to school because of it?

I don't think so.