The spread of H1N1 continues through the metro, faster than vaccine shipments. The latest numbers from Douglas County show it’s received 14,500 doses with another 2,800 on order. There is currently not enough of the vaccine to open clinics, but the Health Department hopes to be able to do that by the first week of November.

The trickle of vaccine into Omaha certainly is not stopping family activities and events, but organizers are taking extra precautions to keep germs to a minimum.

Parents aren't taking H1N1 lightly, considering the youngest are most at risk for getting the bug. Cases in those 18-and-under are greater than in all other age groups combined.

"The kids touching everything and they spread germs very easily." Still, mom Fonda Keech of Bellevue never considered keeping her daughter Nikole home from a Henry Doorly Zoo field trip on Wednesday.

"I carry hand sanitizer everywhere I go. When she's done playing with stuff, she has to wash her hands. I carry the little Handi-Wipes around with me.”

The 7-year-olds all know the drill. "Me and my friends in class always wash our hands,” said Nikole.

Precautions even extend to the zoo animals. Gorillas and chimpanzees are susceptible to seasonal influenza. "We have every reason to suspect they're susceptible to H1N1 as well,” said Director of Animal Health Doug Armstrong.

Since its severity in animals isn't known, clean hands are a must for the people who work with or near them as are masks to contain germs.

Containing germs at the theatre may prove a little tougher, but it's not going to keep the Hempels of Omaha at home. "We do our best to keep our hands washed and do our best to keep our hands out of our mouths and away from our eyes,” said Don Hempel.

Preseason ticket sales at the Holland Arts Center and at the Orpheum have been strong. The businesses have not been bugged at this point by the threat of influenza. However, they have been taking added precautions since summer, adding hand sanitizer to theater entrances.

“You just kind of hope that the people who are really, really sick stay home,” said Joanne Hempel.

Staying home out of fear was not an option for the group of kids, which was why they were playing it safe at the zoo. "Because there's other people around and they might be sick and I don't want to get it,” said 7-year-old Angel Luna.

Business at the Omaha Children's Museum has not only been holding steady like the other places we spoke to, it's increased as the weather has gotten colder.

It’s helping prevent the spread of germs by constantly disinfecting with a hospital-grade cleaner and the laundering of toys. The museum also has 14 hand sanitizers scattered around and was even recognized recently for its practices by infection control experts, practices we could be seeing more of.