May 2009 
According to a notice posted on the IKEA Baltimore site, IKEA US stores have closed all Smalands by May 1 out of concern for the health and safety of IKEA customers in light of the current Swine Flu / H1N1 Hysteria. See a Google Map with the current state of the swine flu outbreak here.
Bear in mind that on May 1, there were a total of 19 confirmed deaths in Mexico, the origin of the disease, and only 1 death in the US has been reported to date. Each year, approximately 36,000 people die from influenza and yet we hardly worry about washing our hands. Now we’re closing entire child care facilities? In the middle of a recession? And a kitchen event? Have we lost our blue and yellow minds?
IKEA Kitchen Event Extended and IKEA Sofa Event Postponed
IKEA US has postponed the Sofa Event until 5/10 due to…the swine flu! Apparently the factories supplying the stock are located in Mexico and have not been able to produce the necessary sofas and couches to supply the stores for the sale that was due to start on 5/4. The good news is that IKEA US has extended the Kitchen Event until 5/10/2009 – save up to 20% on your IKEA Kitchen. Yay, swine flu!
