A telephone poll of 1,004 U.S. adults out from the Red Cross* this week finds that Americans are responding more or less appropriately to the swine flu risk. According to the survey, 80 percent are following the news of the flu closely or fairly closely. Sixty-four percent are “not too worried,” or “not worried at all” about exposure to the virus, compared to 28 percent who are somewhat worried and 8 percent who are very worried.

And it appears that a large number of Americans are responding to public health efforts aimed at flu prevention:

• 55 percent started washing hands more frequently and with greater care.
• 48 percent made an extra effort to cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue.
• 41 percent made an effort to clean surfaces with disinfectant.
• 36 percent began using hand sanitizer more often.
• 26 percent set aside enough food, water and medicine to stay home for two weeks.

Only 6 percent purchased a face-mask, and just 4 percent wore one out in public. That makes sense to us—wearing a mask is most effective when you’re in close quarters with someone who has the virus, such as when you are caring for someone with the flu at home.