I've already posted this in another forum, but in defense of a bit of info overload:

All the attention on swine flu is meant (in part) to level out exposures such that our medical infrastructure isn't over run by flu cases. It takes next to nothing to overrun an ER, they typically operate at close to full capacity as it is. It doesn't take fatalities to exceed capacities, just patients. And there are no more hospital beds, because there aren't usually a supply of medical responders to treat them. And should the virus mutate just enough to cause more severe reactions and deaths, the attention is certainly warranted.

Besides, practice makes perfect - what better time to excercise panemdic preparedness than on a non-lethal strain? Soon come on that.

“If we’re accused of doing too much, then fine,” said Mr. Reardon [Snohomish Co WA Public Health, I think]. “But we will never be accused of doing too little. Public health and safety is our Number One priority for our community.”