Saturday, October 24, 2009

Obama Declares Swine Flu Emergency to Speed Treatment

President Barack Obama has signed a proclamation declaring swine flu a national emergency, the White House said Saturday.

"In keeping with the administration's proactive approach to H1N1 Flu, President Obama last night signed a proclamation declaring 2009-H1N1 Influenza a national emergency," it said in a statement. "The proclamation enhances the ability of our nation's medical treatment facilities to handle a surge in H1N1 patients by allowing, as needed, the waiver of certain standard federal requirements on a case-by-case basis."
Officials described the move as similar to a declaration ahead of a hurricane making landfall.MSNBC
A new PSA from the Department of Health and the Jim Henson Co:

Elmo and Rosita on the right way to sneeze:

Fox News dramatizes Obama's declaration, which is simply meant to speed treatment. This reporter waaaaay over does it and doesn't give any balance. As MSNBC noted, it's like declaring an emergency in the event of a hurricane to speed relief.
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