Swine flu Fear

WASHINGTON – U.S. officials advised Americans against most travel to Mexico on Monday as a swine flu virus that began there spread to the United States and beyond. With 40 cases now reported in the United States, President Barack Obama said there was reason for concern but not yet "a cause for alarm."

26 Apr 2009 17:19:55 GMT
Source: Reuters
WASHINGTON, April 26 (Reuters) - The United States is not testing airplane travelers from Mexico for the swine flu virus that has heightened fears of a possible pandemic, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said on Sunday.

"Right now we don't think the facts warrant more active testing or screening of passengers coming in from Mexico," she said at a White House briefing.

(Editing by Patricia Zengerle)

meta4 wrote:How would the TSA agents "screen" for influenza? Furthermore, how would they be able to detect H1N1 Swine Flue vs. others.

Markwes, you got one of them $5 urine tests? I hear they give a wonder "peace of mind" bang for the buck!

iberlingirl wrote:My cousin won a week trip to Mexico, she is scheduled to go the 1st of June, she is a but freaked about this... she is just not sure what to think yet.... she is watching for a sign to go or cancel her trip.

Markwes wrote:

iberlingirl wrote:My cousin won a week trip to Mexico, she is scheduled to go the 1st of June, she is a but freaked about this... she is just not sure what to think yet.... she is watching for a sign to go or cancel her trip.

I'm pretty sure I heard the airlines are giving refunds for Mexico flights. As part of a contest though, not sure what they would do.

Markwes wrote:

meta4 wrote:How would the TSA agents "screen" for influenza? Furthermore, how would they be able to detect H1N1 Swine Flue vs. others.

Markwes, you got one of them $5 urine tests? I hear they give a wonder "peace of mind" bang for the buck!

Good thing I bought them in bulk! I can probably get $20 apiece for them now!

iberlingirl wrote:I am not worried about this flu, just staying aware of where it is being detected.... better safe than sorry!

"It's not just going to Mexico. If you're any place in a confined aircraft and one person sneezes, it goes all the way through the aircraft," Biden said to Todayhost Matt Lauer. As you might expect, that touched off a nerve in the airline industry … not to mention that it reinforced Biden's reputation for verbal gaffes.

The Wall Street Journal continues that theme, adding "officials in both the vice president's office and the president's said Mr. Biden intended to say that if family members are feeling sick, they shouldn't fly on planes or take public transit. But even they conceded the vice president hadn't come close to saying that." The Journal notes White House spokesman Robert Gibbs quipped: "I understand what he said, and I'm telling you what he meant to say."

After his flu warning, Biden takes the train home
May 1, 9:16 PM (ET)
WASHINGTON (AP) - One day after saying he wouldn't travel in tight quarters because of the swine flu scare, Vice President Joe Biden rode a train Friday from Washington to Delaware.

Known for speaking freely, Biden told NBC's "Today" show on Thursday that he had urged family members to avoid airplanes and subways for fear of contracting the H1N1 flu virus.

"I wouldn't go anywhere in confined places now," Biden said.

The comments infuriated the travel industry and triggered several revisions from the Obama administration, whose official advice is less severe.

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano commented, "If he could say that over again, he would say if they're feeling sick, they should stay off of public transit or confined spaces."

By Friday night, Biden seemed ready for his own do-over. A longtime rider of Amtrak, he took a train from Union Station to his Delaware home, his office said.