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The World Health Organization has moved the planet to full pandemic status. Just moments ago, Dr. margaret Chan declared a flu pandemic.

Won't change things much, save for vaccine preps and some other housekeeping items. But it does restore this virus to the forefront of public thought, which is a good thing.

One thing you need to be aware of: Do NOT place your faith in vaccines anytime soon. The earliest anyone will see a swine H1 vaccine is October, and those batches will be reserved (under pandemic Phase Six protocols) for first responders, the military, and decision-makers. This includes police, fire, and EMS personnel, trauma center and emergency room personnel, and the like.

So the chances of you getting a swine flu shot within that first batch are very low. But do not fret. The virus in all likelihood will come back to us well in advance of the vaccine, meaning it will only be helpful to the rank and file toward the end of the second wave, or possibly prior to the third wave of the pandemic.

A lot of false hope is placed on vaccines. More emphasis needs to be placed on the things Momma taught us:

1. Wash your hands vigorously.

2. Cover your cough and smeeze with your sleeve or tissue.

3. Keep a respectable distance from strangers.

These things, and not a vaccine, not Tamiflu and not any other pill, shot or med, will help us through any pandemic of any lethality.

Scan these blogs, and also if you are a businessperson, you may want to jump over to my other blogsite,http://blogs.computerworld.com/were_in_a_pandemic_but_theres_still_time_to_plan for additional analysis.