Guidelines for treating possible swine flu

Dear Harriette: I am so freaked out about the swine flu. I travel a lot domestically. After Vice President Biden said we shouldn’t ride airplanes or even subways unless it’s an emergency, I have begun to wonder if I should change my job. It is necessary for me to travel in order to keep my job. My children ride the subway all the time. I can’t afford to send them around in taxis all day long. Am I being a bad mother for not following Biden’s recommendations? — Marcy, Bronx, N.Y.

Dear Marcy: The Centers for Disease Control have not suggested guidelines nearly as strict as the vice president enumerated. While it does make sense to take every precaution possible, you also have to live your life. For most people, that includes riding public transportation — everything from buses and subways to airplanes.

The primary recommendations that have been made include washing your hands rigorously, sneezing into your elbow rather than into your hand and then disposing of tissues immediately, staying at home when you feel sick, and going to the doctor if you feel very ill and have a high fever.

Do your best to be practical and calm during this tense period. Pay attention to your health and that of your family.

Dear Harriette: I was invited to go to a function after work the other day, and it called for cocktail attire. I wore jeans that day and didn’t feel comfortable going, even though I wanted to attend the event. My friends were unhappy that I couldn’t get it together quickly enough. Do you think I should have gone even underdressed? — Marcia, Atlanta, Ga.

Dear Marcia: It was probably best for you not to go to the dressy function in your jeans, although sometimes people do. That’s one reason why jeans are — in my estimation — too casual for many workplaces. I have seen women attending black-tie functions in business attire on occasion. While they, too, stand out as underdressed, at least they are obviously wearing work clothes. Jeans are extremely casual.

I do believe it’s a smart idea to be dressed in such a way that you can transition from day to early evening with ease. One way to remedy your wardrobe dilemma in the future is to keep a change of clothes at your office, something that is dressy enough to take to an after-work function. Be sure to include shoes and a bag that coordinate with the outfit. I have done this for years. Indeed, I often have two outfits that would work for two different-type occasions so that I’m ready.

I also keep sneakers in my office in case I have to walk more than I anticipate.

Be prepared — that’s a great motto!