I went out recently to see the new Wolverine movie on opening night. I will keep my closet comic book geekdom to myself for now. I enjoyed the movie, but that is not the subject of interest at the moment. While at the theater, there was much talk about the recent “Swine Flu” breakout.

I heard mention of it while waiting in line for tickets. I heard mention on it while sitting in the movie theater, chatting through the previews. I even made mention of it in conversation, though not as nice as everyone else. I said to my friend, “Half way through the movie, we should start coughing uncontrollably.” It was a good laugh between the two of us but then we decided that we wanted to see the entire movie, so that probably wouldn’t be a good idea. What I enjoyed the most, was listening to the gaggle of women in the restrooms. Never have I seen so many people washing their hands. It brought me much joy and amusement, watching the ladies scrubbing their hands and talking of “Swine Flu” at the same time.

I’m an avid hand-washer and mildly obsessed about hygiene on a day-to-day. Okay, very obsessed about hygiene. So it does my heart some good to finally see the majority of the populace that come through the washroom, washing their hands for once. Some would think that because it is a women’s bathroom, they would be more hygienic naturally. No such luck. They are more prone to checking their makeup or fixing their hair, before they use a sink for its real purpose.

I realize people are up in arms due to a few severe cases that have caused deaths, but more people die of a regular flu per year than what has been caused by this one. Either way, I’d like to thank the media. Keep up the good work! Scaring the crap out of the nation might be the foundation to a hygiene-conscious population.