One factor in the spread of flu, and many other infectious diseases, is the cross-country travel that is so common in late November and December. People disperse to far-off lands and then return with whatever bug was spreading in that land. Unfortunately, human immune systems are at their least effective during the months around the winter solstice, so most people are much more susceptible and will spread more virus before getting well.

Other than vaccinations, which are far from a perfect defense, we really need better public hygiene practices. I stopped in at the library yesterday and was appalled at what I saw; that building needs a bleaching. Hundreds of obviously ill people putting their hands to their mouths and then handling door knobs, chairs, stair rails and what-not. No wonder everyone's sick, if you touch something with your bare hand and don't disinfect that hand before touching your own face or food, you're going to be infected.