Not to make light of the current uncertainties, but I was ambling to work this morning, enjoying the cool respite, when, in front of the Starbucks at Hanover and Robinson, I became a victim of the walk-by media.

He identified himself as a reporter for WRVA; I vaguely recognized his name — Andy? — and voice, but, mind you, I was operating on just one cup of coffee while luxuriating in the natural high of my saunter.

"Are you concerned about swine flu?" he asked. And the following exchange resulted:

ME: No.

HE: (Apparently puzzled by my brevity) Well, that's an honest answer.

ME: (At this point, the crew of the Kollatz Brain Room starts running around, buttoning up their lab coats and pulling levers for Smart Things to Say About Current Events). Well, I don't want to be too cavalier about it. The Spanish Influenza of 1918-1919 that killed 50 million people ... (Where am I going with this? C'mon!) This is a small incident. Wash your hands.

HE: And what's your first name?

ME: Harry.

I continued on my way, recalling how during the election I was accosted by another WRVA reporter at the same corner, that time answering a question about negative campaigning. I don't remember what I said then, but I think it must've made more sense.

I got to the office, tried exploring WRVA's jumbled mass of a Web site to determine who it was I actually spoke with, but I know he wasn't Jimmy Barrett or Glenn Beck. I should've asked him to repeat his name, I guess, but I was just a little off my game thanks to my lack of caffeine intake and general spring cheeriness.

But please, everybody, just wash your hands and have a handkerchief for covering your coughs.