April 29, 2009: Pandemic

Pandemic is one of the many games that my co-workers rave about, that I haven't had a chance to play yet. Now, what could have made me think of that particular game . . .

Oh yeah, the media's, er, energetic coverage of swine flu. Now, I don't want to belittle the very valuable efforts of the CDC -- which actually has a Twitter feed full of information for up-to-the second tracking of emergencies  -- but perspective is important. For instance, as I write this, only 40 cases have been reported in the US. Last year, three times that number of malaria cases were reported in Texas alone.

That said, take a glance at the recommendations for preventative action: things like "Wash your hands often with soap and water," and "Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze." These are just plain old Good Ideas, pandemic or not.

A little common sense will go a long way. As a great man once said: Don't Panic.

-- Paul Chapman