[Judith Anne]

Yes, but only somewhat. I think it's a real possibility, but who knows?

[Dog Gone]

Judith Anne, perhaps I'm in a somewhat depressed mood right now because there's a stack of bills next to the computer that I need to pay this weekend.

But, seriously, is there some reason to be optimistic about avian flu? It looks to me like it's primed to sweep the world. We have no vaccine. We have no natural immunity. It's incredibly fatal.

What hope do I have that it won't kill me or someone I love? I'm not being melodramatic here. Is it likely to fizzle out without ever getting started to any degree?