Why is there such a freak out about swine flu?

i understand that since no one has a great natural immunity to it makes it very contagious, but it seems like all over the news they are talking to schools and seeing what they are doing to prevent the swine flu from going around, shouldn't schools always be doing that stuff anyway? and isn't the swine flu just like the normal flu and is to be treated that way. I mean I heard that mizzou may possibly discontinue cles for a few days b/c of the number of ppl with swine flu there. i don't know, but with what i know so far it seems ridiculous, but maybe with further explanation i can see why it's such a big deal.