Reply #9: I think people are mostly getting tired of the overkill reporting.

[dem629]

We see these stories hyped all the time.

The "summer of the shark" actually saw fewer shark attacks than normal. (Here's one source: http://www.sptimes.net/2002/02/19/news_pf/State/Fewer_shark_attacks_c.shtml )

The "summer of kidnappings" actually saw fewer kidnappings than usual, according to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. (Here's one source: http://dir.salon.com/story/news/feature/2002/08/07/kidnapping/index.html )

The media loves hype stories. People panic and watch more. Other examples: killer bees, then a bee shortage, SARS, avian flu...

Not to mention the fact that around 36,000 people die in this country every year of the "normal" flu.