FLU IS NO FUN, but there appear to be a considerable number of Greater Romans trying to grin and bear it these days. Last year was a very “light” one for the serious seasonal ailment but not so this time. Floyd Medical Center alone reported dealing with 708 cases in December, indicating there are a lot of folks out and about spreading it to those not yet vaccinated.

Given there is an effective vaccine readily available and, depending on circumstances, ranging from free to about $20 at most nearby pharmacies, there is little excuse for this avoidable increase to national health-care bills. There is even a nasal-spray version for those scared of shots. And, other than those with very specific allergies (usually to eggs) pretty much everyone over the age of 6 months is recommended to get it. Nor is it too late to do so now, nor is there any lack of supply.

While the availability of the vaccines is known and constantly publicized, it is plain something more needs to be done to increase public willingness to avoid the avoidable.

In the spirit of Obamacare, how’s about adding $50 to the income taxes of anyone who can’t prove they had a flu shot?

Just kidding, but a lot of the constant yakking and dread regarding high health-care costs ignores this aspect as well as other self-protections available against all sorts of bad things that cause high insurance premiums.

On a lot of elements in high health-care costs the fault lies not so much in the system but in ourselves.