Of course, the most effective deterrent to catching the virus is to get a flu shot. But since the vaccine is limited, prevention is the next best approach. One of the most effective techniques is simply to wash your hands regularly, since such viruses can be spread by direct contact. Of course, we don't claim to be experts in this area, so for the best advice consult a medical professional.

One thing we're pretty sure of, though, is that hiding out at home until the threat has passed is not the answer. To catch the flu, one must be exposed to it, and since the virus is often airborne, a shopping mall may be teaming with such germs. But it's not a time of year conducive to staying home—there's simply too much to get done. And one of the most important activities to complete right now is Christmas shopping, for both personal reasons and for the benefit of our local economy.

This is the most important time of year for local merchants. They've had to struggle through a difficult economy over the past couple of years, and store owners in downtown Los Gatos have had the extra burden of doing business while the town has undergone major street repairs. This holiday season had all the earmarks of being a vibrant period where those merchants could play a little catch-up.

The merchants are our friends and neighbors who are doing business in town, and they need and deserve our support after all of the community support they have provided through the year. To avoid them now because of the recent flu scare just doesn't make sense.

"The businesses are open, the staffs are healthy and, if anything, people should be staying away from the crowded malls and shopping at their local stores," one local merchant told us, adding that residents should take advantage of "the joys of shopping in our own community where you avoid masses of people, confusion and congestion—chest and traffic."

Los Gatos does offer an attractive and pleasant environment for shoppers, without the confinement of a mall atmosphere.

Plus, there's an added benefit to shopping locally. With the recent financial hit local municipalities have taken because of the cut in state vehicle licensing fees, local sales tax is going to be a key source of income for towns like Los Gatos. So it makes even more sense to support the local economy that, in turn, will return a revenue stream to fund vital town services.

Be careful, because the threat of the flu virus is out there. But avoid it by getting the flu shot and keeping your hands washed, not by snubbing local merchants—their stores are open and they're waiting for our business.