Should private citizens be concerned about taking or stockpiling anti-viral drugs preemptively?
That’s what happened with the avian flu–people were rushing out to buy it. We’ve known that governments have been stockpiling the anti-viral drugs, but no one knows if they work. [Editor’s note: The CDC has found that the swine flu virus is “susceptible” to the anti-viral drugs oseltamivir, aka Tamiflu, and zanamivir, aka Relenza.] The media will certainly play a role in determining whether or not this is a life-saving drug. The main thing is you need to practice the same prevention strategies you always do, like washing your hands.
