Continuing panic

Swine flu panic seems to be continuing. I was astounded to discover yesterday that the wine can no longer be distributed at communion services due to the flu. So far I've not heard of a single person in our area who has had this flu. Flu hits most years, killing some, and yet I've never heard of this happening before. I have sometimes wondered if it is wise to partake when so many of the congregation is snuffling & coughing in winter, but even that isn't the situation in this area so far. And anyhow, surely alcohol acts as a disinfectant & so would kill off any germs. I could understand it more if we lived in an area where there had been any outbreak but that isn't the case. The world's just going mad!

This feeling was increased when I got home & put the radio on to hear the mixed messages about what pregnant women should be doing in view of swine flu. To the extent that it is being suggested women should avoid getting pregnant until the epidemic has passed. Ludicrous!

Despite all these dire messages, we're going ahead with the idea of an Italian holiday. We visited the travel agent on Saturday to make preliminary enquiries. They've already been back to us three times, checking our requirements & getting some prices. It's beginning to look as though, come September, we will be off to Pompei for a couple of weeks, flu or no flu.