Pocono News Section

NYC Commuters Worry About Swine Flu

NYC Commuters Worry About Swine Flu - Monday, April 27, 2009 at 5:42PM EST

DELAWARE WATER GAP, MONROE COUNTY - Every day thousands of Pocono commuters board buses to and from New York City. Now some worry Swine Flu may board as well. "I do go to see family sometimes there but I don't think I'll be going anytime soon," said Carita Brown of East Stroudsburg. She will skip her visits to family in Queens until she feels safe. "I have two kids," she explained.
Brown doesn't want to bring her children anywhere near Queens. At least eight students from a school there caught Swine Flu. The borough is less than two hours away from the Martz Delaware Water Gap Bus Terminal. "I know there is a chance that it can come here."

While none of the buses from the terminal go directly to and from Queens, some commuters are concerned anyway. Neal Scotto of Palmerton said, "The bus is confining. Everybody breathes the same air so it's bound to happen sooner or later."

Others say they're not worried at all. Dave Levine of Stroudsburg said, "It's ridiculous. They over blow it all the time I think. I don't think It's really going to spread too far." Jeanne Karlsen of Bushkill agreed, "I have no concern about it at this point."

The Martz Safety Manager told Eyewitness News the us company is monitoring the situation. He added workers have always disinfected every bus daily.

A company that could help stop Swine Flu is located in the Poconos. Sanofi Pasteur is the world's largest flu vaccine maker. It's located in Swiftwater. In a statement a Sanofi spokesperson said the company is monitoring the flu situation with the World Health Organization and other authorities.

The company is ready to help develop a vaccine. Nationwide reports say it could take four months to develop.