So, it appears that the swine flu has arrived in Seattle. I just watched the local TV news, and judging from the facial expressions and general tone, it seems that the end of mankind looms large. And I’ve heard “wash your hands” one time too many today. There’s a level of angst and panic that doesn’t sit well with me. So far, I haven’t figured out why the swine flu is so much more serious than the common flu. The Centers for Disease Control estimates 36,000 people die annually in the States from the common flu. That is a horrible high number. In fact, any number above zero is too high. But at the moment, I feel that the media is scaring people out of their wits. A little perspective would be nice. And I sincerely wish the infected Seattleites (and everyone else) a speedy recovery, and for the rest of us, remember to wash your hands