It’s very useful having Microbiology Pathologists at work.  They’re H1N1 gurus.  So when I telephoned the 0800 Healthline number this morning and gave up after being on hold for 17 minutes, I just went to work and spoke with David, one of our Microbiologists, instead.

I’m now at home.  Until at least Friday, as it was Friday when Louis came down with his flu symptoms.  If I develop any symptoms, I’m to start on Tamiflu – fortunately we bought sufficient stocks of Tamiflu to treat all our staff.

I only wanted to know from Healthline what I should do, if anything, given that the kids still aren’t recovering from their wee bout of whatever it is.  Would the Ministry encourage me to get them tested, just in case?  Would they go into a tailspin because there was potential for the flu to now be in another school?

David thought Ella and Louis’ symptoms sounded pretty suspicious, but then admitted that it could be just the seasonal flu.  In any event, he said it would be wise for us to be at home.  I asked whether I should get them tested, but he said it’s almost progressed beyond that now – while our kids haven’t had any direct contact with an H1N1 sufferer (that we’re aware of), he said it’s so widespread in the community and in schools already, that he’s expecting to see a huge increase of cases within the next week.

So much for the whole containment thing.  I did wonder how effective it was ever going to be, particularly as it had the potential to bring the economy down to its knees just by having so many people locked away in their houses!  I mean, I’m not sure how easily Burnside High has managed having five teachers contained as a precaution!