Flu, again will normally only kill you if you are feeble, or have a compromised immune system (ok, perhaps overgeneralization, but you get the idea). There are a dozen reports cases in my area, but, honestly, I am not overly concerned. Our sanitation awareness has increased exponentially since 1918, as has our medical fields. Washing your hands is a practice we should ALL get in the habit of doing-this prevents MANY communicable diseases. Clean, running water is abundant & available here in the US, and that alone is a HUGE contributor to our war on viruses.
All that being said, closing a school is simply a panacea. If a kid doesnt go, the parents stay home. IF they get sick, and NO ONE visits them, then, after the incubation period, I would assume that that particular household is safe. Unfortunately, someone may be a carrier before realizing it. Thus, it is spread, unknowingly. And, what if the kids stay home, and no one watches them? Guarantee they go out & play with friends in the same situation. Again, they show no symptoms, think they are fine, and spread it. Closing schools, IMHO, doesnt help anyone.
Now, I am not a health care specialist, I am just generalizing here. I dont know what the lifespan of the virus is outside a host-I do know HOW its spread, and thats about it. I also know that, for me, I will continue to practice good hygeine. There really isnt too much else I can do. I refuse to buy into the apparent panic this is causing.