Swine Flu

So...I am wondering how the swine flu hype is affecting everyone in the States and elsewhere?

Last year in Korea it was protests against U.S. Beef because of non-existent Mad Cow Disease, or "Crazy cow" as they called it. Now, here in Korea, there are definitely some cases of swine flu, brought back by both Koreans and foreigners, and it seems to be spreading a little bit. Still I don't think it's a huge cause for concern at this point. Interestingly, a MAJOR English academy here in Seoul called C.D.I. (Megan used to work for a branch of this academy) is under quarantine because some of the teachers had H1N1 flu. They have branches all over Seoul, all of which are shut down, and the offices where the infected teachers trained and taught are under quarantine. Teachers are forced to stay in their apartment buildings, and there are checkpoints and everything in the lobbies to see if anyone else in the building has fever or symptoms as they come and go. Actually, this includes one of my friends who isn't able to go out for 10 days, though so far he has no symptoms. Apparently they have been treating them kind of rudely, and their internet connection was down for a long time, pretty much isolating them.

As of now...I am considering wearing a mask when I go to the airport in a couple of weeks to fly home. Although, it might almost be better to have the flu now when it seems pretty mild rather than later if it starts to become more virulent. These masks are pretty popular in Korea for average colds and yellow dust season anyway, so I will fit right it!