Elmo: Wash, Wash, Wash to Prevent Swine Flu

The Department of Health & Human Services has enlisted Elmo to fight swine flu.

See the PSAs here
Obama talks economy then the swine flu:

Obama Speaks in Mexico on Town Hall Disruptions

Leave it to Obama to be the cool cucumber. He says the town hall noise is part of the process. He really is a grown up.

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Obama's speech in Mexico:

Rightwing Radio Spreads its Own Disease

Rightwing radio and the people who listen to it do more damage to our nation than any flu or disease. They spread the sickness of hate.

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Here's what ALIPAC had to say today:

While hyper political correctness tries to hold sway in America as not to offend or disrupt trade with our Mexican neighbors to the south, the official name of the new flu pandemic is Mexican Flu and not the PC terms 'Swine Flu' or 'H1N1'.

Swine Flu and H1N1 are terms that describe large volumes of flu like viruses and not the specific strain at hand. Traditionally, pandemic flu strains are named after their points of origin. The point of origin for the new H1N1 pandemic flu, with swine flu DNA components is Mexico.

"It's a sad day in America, when you can't even call this pandemic strain by it's proper name 'Mexican Flu'," said William Gheen. "We are calling on all members of the media and citizens alike to refer to this pandemic virus as the Mexican Flu."

The World Health Organization (WHO) and several nations are now referring to the new H1N1 pandemic strain from Mexico as the 'Mexican Flu' which is now the official name.

The last three global pandemic flu viruses were named the Hong Kong Flu (1968), the Asian Flu (1957), and the Spanish Flu (1918).

"Clearly, the Obama administration cares more about politics and trade than protecting Americans and telling the truth," said William Gheen of ALIPAC. "The delay in notifying the public about the Mexican Flu, refusing to adequately secure our borders, ordering our border patrol officers to not wear masks, and refusing to call this pandemic by its proper name is lowering confidence in his administration."

Americans for Legal Immigration PAC is now calling for the resignation or firing of Homeland Security Chief Janet Napolitano due to her refusal to secure our borders and do what any rational American would consider appropriate to slow the progression of this emerging disease. Recent DHS orders for Border Patrol agents near San Diego to not wear masks to protect themselves is causing a stir across the nation.

The flu's proper name is actually H1N1. Americans for Legal Immigration is an organized hate group.

Obama Aide's Family May Have H1N1 (Swine Flu)

The individual, not named, was the "lead advance" in Mexico for energy secretary Steven Chu. He came home April 18 and likely spread the virus to some of his family--wife, son and nephew. Robert Gibbs says the individuals have RECOVERED and ARE FINE. Read the White House memo here.

Obama Speaks on Specter and Swine Flu

Sen. Arlen Specter switched parties and is now a democrat. Obama calls him a "tough hombre." Sounds like Specter will help on healthcare reform.

Obama says he doesn't want anyone in Congress to be a "rubber stamp."
On swine flu, a child in Texas has died because of swine flu. (The child traveled from Mexico to Texas to get medical treatment).
Schools with confirmed cases should close immediately, he said. Parents need to think about childcare options now in the event that schools are closed. Obama has requested $1.5 billion for swine flu preparation.
Take the steps that you would take if you had any flu, he said.

CDC's Richard Besser on the child's death:

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Man Who Shook Obama's Hand Didn't Die of Swine Flu

Rumor control. Felipe Solis, who shook Obama's hand, didn't die of swine flu contrary to this story floating rumors. See White House statement below. 

A man who shook Barack Obama's hand in Mexico died the next day from symptoms similar to those of swine flu.

The White House insisted the President's health was not in any danger, but he was said to be taking the threat of an epidemic 'very seriously'.

The President's health advisers were already concerned about his visit south of the border after learning the contagious virus first struck in Mexico City on April 13 - three days before Mr Obama flew in to meet government officials.

Their alarm grew after learning that Felipe Solis, director of the National Anthropology Museum, had died from pneumonia. Daily Mail

From the White House:

Statement from Ricardo Alday, Spokesman for the Mexican Embassy to the United States of America:

"Mr. Felipe Solís, Director of Mexico’s National Anthropology Museum died on April 23rd, a week after he welcomed Presidents Obama and Calderón at the Museum. He died of complications of a preexisting condition and not of swine flu."

Obama Says Swine Flu No Cause for Alarm

Keep in mind that antibiotics are killing the flu. Obama spoke this morning at the National Academy of Sciences. Other than calming flu worries, he spoke on science research:

Politico: Made the case for public-sector investments in basic research, pledging to spend 3 percent of GDP on R&D, and announcing the creation of the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Energy (ARPA-E), modeled on DARPA, to perform high-risk, high-reward research.
- Won huge applause with his standard line about separating politics from science. Says that is one of John Holdren's biggest tasks.
- Pledged a major investment in math and science education: "[S]tates making strong commitments and progress in math and science education will be eligible to compete later this fall for additional funds under the Secretary of Education's $5 billion Race to the Top program."

Here's part of the speech. I'll post the rest of the video when it's up.

Staff: