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Thursday, April 30, 2024
By Steven L. Taylor

Via the Politico: Biden would avoid subways, planes after swine flu outbreak

Vice President Joe Biden said Thursday that he would not recommend taking any commercial flight or riding in a subway car “at this point” because swine flu virus can spread “in confined places.” A little more than one hour later, Biden rushed out a statement backing off.

“I would tell members of my family — and I have — I wouldn’t go anywhere in confined places now,” Biden said on NBC’s “Today” show.. “It’s not that it’s going to Mexico. It’s [that] you’re in a confined aircraft. When one person sneezes, it goes all the way through the aircraft. That’s me. …

“So, from my perspective, what it relates to is mitigation. If you’re out in the middle of a field when someone sneezes, that’s one thing. If you’re in a closed aircraft or closed container or closed car or closed classroom, it’s a different thing.”

I understand being cautious and not wanting to get sick. However, I continue to wonder as to why we are reacting to this disease the way that we are.

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8 Responses to “That’ll Help the Economy…”

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    1. Max Lybbert Says:

      His staff clarified the comments by backing away from them ( http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2009/04/66203683/1 ).

      I did hear on the BBC yesterday that Mexico was considering shutting down buses for a while. Since public transportation is actually used in Mexico that would be pretty drastic. But not shutting down the buses isn’t any better.

    2. Ruth Anne Says:

      You know the Obama administration motto: Never let a crisis go to waste.

      Corollary: If it’s not really a crisis, we can make it a crisis by talking it up.

      Further corollary: Eventually, no one listens to the boy who cried wolf, sometimes to their detriment.

    3. Steven L. Taylor Says:

      Of course, it is rather difficult to peg the response to this situation solely on the Obama admin.

    4. Ratoe Says:

      Of course, it is rather difficult to peg the response to this situation solely on the Obama admin.

      Actually, I would argue that the administration–except for ONE Biden gaffe–has been a major voice of reason.

      It was pretty remarkable to see the Sunday White House news conference with Gibbs and CDC folk–the media’s questions were so scare-mongering as to be farcical.

    5. RandyB Says:

      “Keep talking about the president won’t stop air pollution. Put your hand over your mouth when you cough that’ll help the solution …” Biden might be advised to consult the Temptations when in doubt. And when not in doubt he should probably avoid open mikes – Respect (yourself – Joe).

    6. Steven L. Taylor Says:

      It was pretty remarkable to see the Sunday White House news conference with Gibbs and CDC folk–the media’s questions were so scare-mongering as to be farcical.

      That’s true–I saw part of it as well and thought the questions were a bit much.

      And Napolitano’s response to questions about closing the border were also quite reasonable.

    7. Richard Scott Nokes Says:

      I find it hard to believe that either Biden or any members of his immediate family are regular subway-riders anyway.

    8. Max Lybbert Says:

      I doubt Biden rides the subway any more, but he was somewhat famous for riding as a Senator.


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