Der Feuervogel aufersteht.

First, some links:

The CDC updates its official page every day, adding to confirmed US cases every morning (around 11 am EDT). For international cases, visit WHO.

Virology blog has a daily update, featuring all the news up through yesterday.

Revere explains how Tamiflu works (also how influenza virus infects cells and its lifecycle).

Revere also takes a look at influenza pandemics and explains the adage "if you've seen one flu pandemic, you've seen ... one flu pandemic."

In a similar vein, Virology blog looks at seasonality of the flu and discusses 1918 a bit.

Sandra Porter looks at whether the California swine flu came from Ohio (which had an outbreak after a county fair in 2007) via their genetic sequences.

Tara rounds up a bunch of links.

Media got you paranoid? Global Health Report has a bunch of facts, and links to websites you can trust for calm, informed information. (Including several of the sites I've linked to.)

The virus is spreading beyond travelers, says the CDC (via CIDRAP). The latest onset of symptoms in confirmed cases was April 24, but that does not rule out transmission after that date. And, of course, if you're sick, stay home (unless you're going to the doctor, of course.)

Voluntary isolation is the current recommendation, and it's a damn good way to prevent spread. You can't transmit virus to coworkers, people at the store, etc, if you're not out in public.

You CANNOT get swine flu by eating pork.

And, as always, DON'T PANIC. You can be concerned -- I think it would be foolish not to be; there are a lot of unknowns involved -- and you ought to remain informed and be prepared. But it's not to the point of bar your doors and stock up on ammo.

Michelle Bachmann (R-MN) calls for investigation into anti-American activity in the US Congress, starting with Barack Obama and the people he associates with.

ATTENTION PEOPLE PLANNING TO VOTE REPUBLICAN: This is the shit you're voting for. This shit is the new defining characteristic of your party. It's not the party of economic conservatism, Barry Goldwater, and small government; it's the party of racism, threats, and American Talibanism. A vote for John McCain is a vote for this shit, and his choice of Palin as running mate is pretty good evidence of that. new: McCain admits his choice was based on cold calculation and to act as a counterpoint to the "liberal feminist agenda" for America. Senator McCain, why do you hate women?

I'm not saying the Democrats are perfect; there are certainly wacky fringe elements out there. But (contrary to some people's beliefs) Democrats and other assorted social liberals don't want to put you in jail for saying there's something wrong with America.

10/23/08: Anonymous comments must be signed and relevant, or they will not be unscreened. Comments that have no relationship to this post will remain screened. Attacks on people will also not be unscreened, nor will unsourced bullshit.