There's nothing like an impending crisis to make people go shopping. Heck, even here in Charlotte, a forecast for snow brings the masses out to the grocery store for milk and bread, doesn't it?

Some major marketers are seeing an uptick in sales of items such as masks, latex gloves, anti-bacterial soaps and hand sanitizers. There's a "measurable increase" in mask sales at Walgreens in Chicago, New York and Texas, spokeswoman Tiffani Washington says. Consumer gurus aren't surprised that so many treatments and protective devices related to swine flu — legitimate or not — are getting plenty of traction from retailers and marketers. (USA Today)

Of course, purchasing Tamiflu kind of makes sense. Want to have the drug on hand in case you contract that dirty disease, right?

Masks are going pretty fast right now, despite how scary they look — even doctors look scary in surgical masks. But when everyone on TV is sporting one, the average Joe jumps on the bandwagon, goes to Lowe's and buys himself a box, just in case.

If you're really concerned though, you'll just go ahead and buy yourself a swine flu kit, courtesy of BP Medical Supplies and found on Amazon for $25. The 4 pound kit includes

Here's the link. Remember, it is only $25. Despite the media frenzy over the swine flu, there are still kits in stock. Who'd have known?