At this point I have to question how much sense it makes to keep quarantining people - surely virtually everyone has been exposed at this point? If medically informed people can elucidate this, I'm really curious.

I don't see why you shouldn't "quarantine" yourself from others. Really, doctors recommend staying away from others with most forms of contagious disease. It certainly keeps places like day cares, schools and work places from exploding with disease.

Also, what about walking my pup? Is that okay as long as I don't talk to people?
If you're feeling up to walking your pup I don't see the problem with it. Just don't go breathing on people

In any case, it seems our worst fears have been pretty unfounded, because even with those high numbers, no one has died here.

funny how media-blown catastrophes well...aren't.

Okay, more organized survey-like bit:

1. Have you had swine flu? What was it like for you? (Symptoms, duration.)
No. And I hope to goodness I don't because I hate coughing and puking.

2. Do you know anyone who has?
one person for sure (although she doesn't live here) and I'm sure I know other people who have and just don't know it

3. Is your local community being affected? What measures are they taking now?
there's the shots out, but for the most part, not even the university seems overly affected on a day-to-day function basis. a lot of students have gotten it, but as far as I know none have died and the university seems to be handling it rather well. It helps that we have a small city and a condensed college campus. Easier too manage.

4. Have you ever been quarantined for any reason? What was it? How did you amuse yourself in the meantime?
not really. I was once bed-ridden because pneumonia hit me so hard, but it wasn't a quarantine. I amused myself by miserable sleep.

5. Are you nervous about swine flu, or do you still think it's been overblown?
I still think it's overblown.