有備無患 an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure

The government is certainly hoping for the best, preparing for the worst, just in case the swine influenza A (H1N1) virus turns out to be as lethal as that suggested by early estimates of 7%(!) case fatality rate.

有(have) 備 (prepare) 無 (nothing) 患 (trouble)

Literally, if you prepare, no worries.

Now, aren't people overreacting, just a little?

"A United Airlines flight from Munich to Washington made a two-hour stop at Logan International Airport this afternoon so a female passenger who had complained of flu-like symptoms could be removed and taken to a hospital for treatment." -The Boston Globe