Cathy Classics by Cathy Guisewite for January 03, 2010

To quote Buffalo Springfield’s song ‘For what it’s worth’: “Paranoia strikes deep.”

Wow, he actually did something GOOD for his employees for a change…

We are over-sanitizing everything. Some exposure to germs keeps our immune system strong.

I think he’s referring to the H1N1 virus (the swine flu). Did everybody line up for their shot? I did.

And when you went into a hospital, you were greeted at the door by a sign advising you to wash your hands. And there were antibacterial soap dispensers all over the place - which people occasionally used. And there were masks - with not too many people wearing them.

They were worried that the swine flu might be as bad as the Spanish flu in 1919, which killed tens of millions of people (every time I read about it, a different figure is given). It turned out not to be as bad even as the regular flu that goes around each year. But now they have invaluable experience in dealing with mass vaccination, and similar crises. If something terrible does come along in the future, they’ll be much better prepared than they would have been otherwise. I for one am very glad that they went thru with it.

It always feels strange when I agree with crunkbot, but yeah, the comments have gone full circle – “Paranoia strikes deep…”

I feel like I’m three steps behind everyone. I’ve never even heard the particular phrase “anti-bac” (although a dispenser sprouted above the elevator call button here on the 28th floor over Christmas). Those of us who hold onto the same subway car handrails and grips every day as 8 million other folks seem to be doing okay. So I’m with lightenup, even though I’m less sure exactly when it becomes over-sanitizing.

Hey mrslukeskywalker-how can you blame the H1N1 on President Obama? That makes no sense at all!

One Decade later, during the COVID Epidemic, this is more relatable than ever.