I think someone missed reading the news last week.

From the article lead:

"The Senate approved $8 billion in new spending on bird flu preparedness Thursday. Lawmakers said the money will fund a White House readiness plan that is expected to be announced soon.

Most of the money is targeted to large new government buys of a still-experimental bird flu vaccine and stockpiles of antiviral medications including Tamiflu. More than $1 billion was also earmarked for enhanced disease surveillance capabilities and public health preparedness."

So, about $7 billion for Tamiflu and an experimental vaccine (either of which may turn out to be money well spent after all), and only $1 billion for general public health measures that will help no matter what eventually hits us. Oh, and I wonder if this $8 billion replaces or is in ADDITION to the $3.9 billion that the Senate approved just a couple weeks ago. In that bill, 3 out of the 3.9 billion was earmarked fro Tamiflu purchases.

My wallet is feeling lighter by the second...