Worried Oklahomans Rush to Buy Sanitizer

By Amy Lester, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- There are now 141 cases of the new H1N1 flu in 19 states, but in Oklahoma 68 tests for the virus have come back negative. Two of those cases are being sent to the Centers for Disease Control for further testing because the type of flu could not be identified.

Oklahoma currently has 200,000 doses of Tami-flu, and Oklahomans are buying supplies to help protect themselves as concern grows of the H1N1 virus.

For some people, the more they hear, the more fearful they become.  People are so concerned, it's getting tougher for stores to keep germ fighting supplies on their shelves.

Bobby Jump's stocking the shelves at a Crest Foods store, but he's not filling them with more hand sanitizer, he's nearly sold out.

"From what we normally sell, to what we've sold the last two days, it really went fast," Jump said.

The masks in the first aid section are gone as well, and Crest Foods is ordering more to keep up with the demand that's growing although there are no confirmed cases in Oklahoma.

"We fully do expect lie other states, to eventually find infections of this new influenza virus in Oklahoma," said State Epidemiologist Dr. Kristy Bradley.

The state health department's preparing for the H1N1 flu's arrival and they're encouraging people to stock up on 2-weeks' worth of food, water and prescription drugs.

"It could be disruptive enough to society that people might have to have their own little supply of food and water and things at home to get by for a few days," Dr. Bradley said. "That's why that's put into the message."

Messages like that can lead to lots of fear.

"I think that indicates to people, we're in for real siege and even if you are in for a real siege, having two weeks of groceries in your pantry isn't going to do you much good if you can't eat or you're throwing up and have diarrhea," said Dr. Stewart Beasley.

Psychologist Dr. Beasley said it's important to keep things in perspective. According to him, it's easy to get overwhelmed by the possibilities.

"You have to be very careful of what you say to people so that you don't panic them," Beasley said.

The Health Department said it's not trying to panic anyone, and their message is simply an attempt to get people ready, just in case.

"It's just meant to be preparedness advice, not to cause any sort of alarm bells to go off," Dr. Bradley said.

Doctor Beasley also recommends not focusing on what's scaring you, instead, remember, if the flu arrives here, we have medication and doctors on hand. 

The CDC is working on a new flu shot for the fall that would contain the current H1N1 strand, along with other strands of the flu.