Obama Asks 'Vigilance' on Flu

Published April 29, 2009 at 2:03 p.m.

With the swine flu claiming its first American fatality, President Obama this morning pledged more federal attention and pleaded with local officials and citizens to step up their own vigilance.

“This is obviously a serious situation — serious enough to take the utmost precautions,” Obama said, urging people to report possible cases of flu immediately to contain the spread.

“We need your assistance,” he said.

Schools, Obama warned, should shut down if they have suspected cases of the virus, scientifically named H1N1.

And he cautioned that if the situation is bad, parents should plan careful alternatives, and not just send kids to day care instead. “So we would have to think through, and each parent, I think, would have to think through what options would be available to them in the event that this became more serious,” the President said.

Obama has asked Congress for $1.5 billion in emergency funding to step up the response and build up stockpiles of vaccine and supplies if the outbreak worsens.

“Every American should know that the federal government is prepared to do whatever is necessary to control the impact of this virus,” Obama promised.

- Michael McAuliff




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