just do it

Can the flu actually be "contained?"

A confirmed case can cause a school to be closed down for a week. All well and good, but now these children are at home - doing what? Mom or dad there with them - or at work? Ah, it's boring staying at home; let's go to the mall. Hmm. The pool of possible infection spread has just multiplied exponentially.

The entire life of this illness is about seven days, and begins [and possibly remains] with mild symptoms. How long are YOU usually sick before you see a doctor? Do YOU miss work for a cough?

Seems pretty reasonable to assume that infected persons will continue to infect other persons.

So what to do? Everybody walk around in hazmat suits?

The CDC advice is undramatic and eminently practical: WASH YOUR HANDS. STAY HOME IF YOU'RE SICK.

Since you can't know who is infected [it takes many hours for any symptoms to manifest], assume that everyone is infected.

If you are sick, YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE to take measures to reduce your broadcasting of whatever it is you have to others. That means possibly wearing a mask if you're coughing/sneezing. It also means WASHING YOUR HANDS. If you use a tissue, flush it or carry a ziplock baggie to contain it. DON'T put it in your office or home wastebasket. Buy a canister of disinfectant wipes [or use 1 tablespoon of household bleach in a gallon of water in a spray bottle] and USE them on your telephone, keyboard, desk, television remote control - whatever you touch. Don't share shower poofs, towels or pillows, etc., and WASH the ones you do use frequently to reduce the population of your nasties. Keep your toothbrush separate from others. Make sure toothbrushes are COVERED in the bathroom [when you flush, particulates spray and roam - yuck!].

Easy, yes? Just do it.