# 3106
With very little earthshaking news about the Swine Flu (drat! I did it again!) . . . err, A/H1N1 virus outbreak coming over the wires (unless you count the latest litany of `suspect’ case as earthshaking), we are starting to see news reports about the fear and anxiety this outbreak is producing.
Understandable, given the tenor of the media.
If I watched cable news, I’d probably be heading down to the bunker, too!
Luckily, I pulled the plug on my cable TV two years ago. But that’s another story . . .
But all of this angst put me in mind of something I learned as a very young medic-in-training (which was long ago, in a galaxy far, far away . . . ).
One of our guest lecturers was an obstetrician.
He was about my age now, and had delivered more than one baby outside of a hospital. He gave the class some advice, should we find ourselves forced to do a home delivery.
He said,”The husband will almost always be excitable, excessively worried, and worse . . . in the way.
I always tell them to go boil water (lots of water!), while I see what’s what.
That way it gets him out of the room, and gives him something constructive to do, while I go about my job of examining the mother, and if necessary, delivering the baby.”
One of the students asked, `What do you use all that boiling water for?”
He smiled, and said, ”Oh that.
Well, it really isn’t necessary for the delivery, you see. But I do like to relax with a spot of tea after delivering a baby.”
If you are excessively concerned about this outbreak, and find that it is really bothering you - do 2 things.
1. Stop Watching the Wall-To-Wall Coverage!
Swine flu is likely to be a story for weeks, maybe months. It may recede over the summer, and come back in the fall. Or it could remain in play all summer long.
You can drive yourself nuts trying to watch this full time.
Take a break. Watch a video, go for a walk, listen to some music, spend time with your family or friends.
2. Go Boil Water.
You will feel better if you do something (even something little) to prepare. Even if you don’t end up needing it.
Take Ready.gov’s advice and Get A Kit, Make a Plan, and Be Prepared. You and your family will not only feel safer, you will be safer!
Volunteer with your local Red Cross chapter, take a CERT training class, or offer to help out at your kid’s school or the local hospital. Turn that angst into action.
You, and your community will be better for it.
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