131 and counting...

Mari Margil

Today I am definitely part of the problem, as I sit in O'Hare waiting for my delayed flight East.

So, as I check email (free wifi!), drink something caffeinated, and people watch, I'm also keeping an eye on the CNN ticker.

Just saw my first official BIRD FLU numbers. The World Health Organization has now confirmed 131 cases. That's about the number of people surrounding me in this gate.

I expect we'll start seeing reports of the number of cases go up, on a weekly, if not at some point daily, basis. While the Bush administration is being praised for focusing on the expected crisis, the New York Times reports that the White House is not planning to be ready for a pandemic until at least 2009. (The Perplexing Pandemic Flu Plan, Nov. 21)

So, grab your face masks, and calculators...

By Mari Margil Nov. 23, 2005