As reporting and speculation about the emergent swine flu virus continues to dominate the local media, city health authorities urge caution and common sense precautions to prevent illness and potential transmission.

Look here for detailed information and recommendations from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene; here's what the Department of Education hasposted for students and adults at the city's schools. Now is the time to teach young kids how to shield a cough-- instructions are posted online in 14 languages -- and to reinforce careful hand-washing (and stockpile antibacterial goo, too).

To date, the only documented cases of swine flu in New York Cityremain confined to St. Francis Preparatory Academy in Queens.