Some Atlantans extra careful in swine flu scare

The debate goes on over guarding against swine flu: Are you stocking up on hand sanitizer, washing your hands more often, avoiding plane travel?

Or not?

Many metro Atlantans are ramping up their personal hygiene, hoping to create a shield against a bug that, while seemingly less virulent than feared, is still spreading and making people ill.

Others, however, believe the media and the federal health agency have pumped up the fear factor and inflated the threat. And they’re not scared.

Rick McLean, a 62-year-old retired air traffic controller from Peachtree City, isn’t taking chances. He is never far from a bottle of hand sanitizer these days. When he’s driving, it’s in his truck. When biking, it’s in his pocket. At the gym, he’s making sure to spritz and wipe down equipment.

“I’m usually a careful person, but now I’m more aware,” McLean said.

He’s not alone. Hand sanitizer is flying off the shelves at stores. People are also stocking up on face masks, flu medicine and vitamins. The fear of swine flu has worked its way into people’s minds and their daily habits.

For the past week, people have focused on a constant barrage of news about the new strain of swine flu, called H1N1. But after the virus seemed to hit Mexico hard, several signs have emerged that the strain may not pack the punch that scientists first feared.

On Sunday, federal health officials announced that the number of confirmed cases has risen to 226 in 30 states, up from 21 states on Saturday. The Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the increase in part reflects catching up on tests. But officials said it also shows the swine flu is fairly widespread in the United States.

Even though the CDC says there are encouraging signs, it adds that people should remain on their guard.

The United States has seen one death and 30 people hospitalized from the virus, the CDC said. Georgia has one confirmed case, a Kentucky woman who came to a wedding in LaGrange.

That’s just not enough for Matthew Stunk to hit the panic button.

“I’m not really worried about it,” the 17-year-old from Dallas said as he enjoyed a lamb gyro Sunday at the Cinco de Mayo festival at Centennial Olympic Park.

Another Sunday celebration for that holiday in DeKalb County was canceled due to concerns over swine flu.

Organizers of the Atlanta festival made sure to place numerous hand-washing and hand-sanitizing stations around the park.

Many metro residents are being at least a bit more careful, washing their hands a little more, telling the kids to do the same.

Paula Havard, a mother of two girls in Dunwoody, believes the hype has gone overboard.

“I know people who are loading up on Tylenol and juice boxes like a storm is coming,” she said.

If anything, she’s made sure the kids are getting their vegetables and vitamins.

As for McLean, he just came through a bad stomach virus, so he would rather be safe than sorry. So when he came out of the post office, having had his hands on the counter, he squeezed a dab of the antiseptic-smelling sanitizer goop on his hands.

“Am I being overly precautious? Perhaps,” he said. “Am I sick? No.”