For those who requested additional information about the virus, or who were unfamiliar with it, we suggest this page at the state Department of Environmental Protection site.

The results:

Q: Are you concerned about the West Nile Virus?

• Yes, it's a public health issue - 1,640 (42%)
• I'm a little worried: - 1,302 (33%)
• I'm not worried at all - 507 (13%)
• Pesticides are a bigger problem - 346 (9%)
• Isn't that in Africa? - 151 (4%)

Your comments:

I'm not concerned about this virus at all. Anyone who has some degree of common sense should realize that if you go hiking or playing in an area which is mosquito-rich, put on some OFF. The media always tries to produce hype. More people get hurt by lightning strikes than those contracting the West Nile virus.

"What are symptons of the virus? Will there be an over-reaction clogging emergency rooms? What is realistic chance of contracting from a bite? IS this just the over-blown problem of the month? How prepared is the local/state government for response to dead bird analyses? Can common sense prevail?" J.H.S., Lyme

However, it is good that the situation is monitored and precautions taken to prevent a so-called 'outbreak', which calms down the more 'feeble-minded' individuals. T.M.L., Winsted

"Pesticides are the biggest threat, not only are they dangerous for people, but they are hurting the economy as well. When the pesticides are sprayed, it poisons the insects, thus poisoning everything that eats the insects. Thus, the insects are killed off, as are the frogs, bats and birds. Only problem is, the insects bounce back within two or three weeks, the frogs that lived across the road from me still haven't returned after 3 years, but the insects have. Thus when we spray, we only encourage the population of mosquitos to grow larger in the future. Now for the economy. Insects have exoskeletons and 6 legs, lobsters have exoskeletons and 10 legs, as far as evolution goes, they are very similar, and thus the spraying that was done three years ago, killed off a lot of lobsters last year. A much more efficient way of controling the mosquitos would be to repopulate the areas with frogs, bats and birds. Just think- if a half of a ton of bats were relocated in a given area, every week, more than 2,000 lbs of mosquitos would be eaten, and if you have ever weighed a mosquito, then you know that that is a lot of mosquitos." Jeff Steinfeldt, Chester

"What on earth is 'The West Nile Virus'?" Lucy, Storrs

"I am somewhat concerned and hope that everything possible will be done to correct the problem. Of course, it is not a big deal until someone we love gets sick from it." M.C.P., South Windsor

"I'm not worried at all. As far as I'm concerned, if a peson is infected with the West Nile Virus it's their own fault. They were the ones who didn't take the necessary precautions right? As long as your protected when you go outdoors, you shouldn't be concerned. However, I think we need to take extra precautions with younger children." Me, Bromica

"I work deep in the woods most everyday digging by shovel and am up to my elbows in dirt, screening through soils most everyday as what is basically a salvage archaeologist-generally, preconstruction, meaning no roadways, thick brush, beside water bodies-standing and otherwise as a rule. Nothing like you see on the 'History Channel'. To many mosquitoes, I look like a pincushion. I remove ticks DAILY and am bitten by mosquitoes DAILY. I wish the DEP or SNET would post a site for construction workers, surveyors, etc. that would be available off the home page like the weather for personnel that might be sent into a site the morning of or day of spraying for West Nile. This site would also be helpful for those communities like Stamford that were caught off guard, this year and those that were last year.

With the construction boom in CT and so many of the workers transient, do you really think anyone cares very much about whether we expose ourselves to anything out there? Many of us are subcontractors, many from out of state. No medical insurance, etc.

Anyway, forget about us, why not post community health bulletins-DEP/DPH whatever. 'DEP spraying here, DPH reports larger numbers of confirmed Lyme's here.' A kind of bulletin board for construction and construction related personnel, those of us who are more than 'weekend warriors,' that panic when they get bitten by a single mosquito or tic while barbecuing hotdogs." C.K., Meriden

"I once suggested a topic for your survey that dealt with who's the best looking anchors on CT TV stations. Not sure you ever used it. Here's another: 'What do you think about wireless telecommunications towers?' Just in case you need topics for surveys!!" R.E.G., New Fairfield

"I'd like testing in the North Grosvenordale area....North Grosvenordale is part of Thompson. Thank you." N.L.S., North Thompson

"I think that they should spray in West Haven. They used to do it years ago when I was a kid." Joe, West Haven

"In the past, our bureaucrats said AIDS, not in my town - while persons were passing away on a weekly basis. Then, it became fashionably O.K. to admit the illness existed. Let us not push this virus under the rug." J.E.R., No Town

"I can't believe the number of people that are afraid of this virus! The odds of becoming of infected are so slim and most people would hardly be able to tell that they had it if they were to become infected. It only is a danger for the really young or old. It seems to be an irrational fear." G.K., Goshen

"Don't you think doing the West Nile survey should prompt your editors to publish related materials, i.e.,how to recognize symptoms, what to do, etc." W.D., Washington