i live in north fl. and a couple of weeks ago two of us went to our local hospital ER for sinus infections. we were asked if anyone in our home had been exposed to bird flu. everyone that was sick was then given a mask and told they had to wear it. i called the hospital and asked why they were asking about bird flu and no one could answer. they are no longer asking to my knowlodge. my question is what do they know that we dont know. i feel like as usual we will be kept in the dark until it is too late.

Not to worry; this will become, increasingly, standard protocol in most US hospitals to prevent transmission of all respiratory infections.  We should have been doing this a long time ago.. The only reason that they are asking specifically about bird flu is per protocol so to minimize the chance of missing it when it gets to the US.