From PRI, Public Radio International and KCRW Santa Monica, this is To the Point.

Can there be a pandemic without a panic?

Hello again, I'm Warren Olney, and this is To the Point from Public Radio International,

a daily look at the issues Americans care about most.

The World Health Organization says all of humanity is now under threat from a swine flu pandemic,

but nobody knows how severe it might turn out to be.

Compared to the flu epidemics that occur every year, not that many people have died,

and the WHO's warning is designed to keep things from getting worse.

Mexico City, near where the outbreak began, is virtually shut down.

But experts are warning about the dangers of overreaction.

The virus cannot be stopped by shutting down borders, so what can be done?

Are public health systems prepared?

If it gets worse, can a vaccine be ready in time?

On reporter's notebook later on, the most comprehensive study ever

of African genes.

First, here's the news.

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