But with a pandemic avian flu, officials warn in king county alone, up to 11-thousand could die. So take precautions now, to prevent fatalities.

Hand washing, flu shots, coughing and sneezing into your sleeve, stockpiling food and water and vital supplies like your prescription drugs, are just a few tips.

Wider ranging ideas include businesses checking suppliers to make sure you can keep going in a 6 week long siege of flu, and check your sick leave policy to see that it allows folks to stay home during a prolonged flu attack. And know this strain of flu stays around a long time, so clean well, and dispose of refuse well.

Most of all, remind ourselves that the pandemic isn’t likely to start here, but elsewhere, so stay tuned. Be prepared to keep your distance, at the same time staying in communication to know what's going on, and what's going around. That's the key. And that's the role for journalists, and it will be no time to be chicken.