Opinion: Obama news conference: President says swine flu no reason to close border with Mexico
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President Obama enters the East Room of the White House and begins by acknowledging what is on the top of everyone’s mind: the swine flu that has now hit at least nine countries.
He says he will ask Congress for $1.5 billion to track and build supplies of anti-viral drugs. He also urges folks to do what they would do when anyone around them is sick: Wash your hands, cover your mouth when you cough, stay home if you are sick, and keep the kids home if they are sick.
He lists the many achievements of his first 100 days (see earlier post). But he’s not satisfied, and vows to keep working to fix the country.
The first question from the press, inevitably, is about swine flu: Is it time to close the border with Mexico, and what conditions would you consider quarantine appropriate? Nope, says the president. No closing the borders.
“I have consulted with our public health officials extensively…. At this point they have not recommended a border closing.... It would be akin to closing the barn door after the horses are out because we already have cases here in the United States.”
The president adds that the most important thing to do is to treat this flu like other outbreaks. But because it’s a new strain, we have to take precautions “should a worse-case scenario play out.”
The key, he says, is “great vigilance” and that “everybody responds appropriately when cases do come up, and individual families start taking precautions that make a difference.” He repeats what he said at the beginning: “It sounds trivial, but it makes a huge difference.” That is: wash hands, cover mouth, stay home if sick.
-- Robin Abcarian
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President Barack Obama makes an opening statement during a prime time news conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Wednesday April 29, 2009. The news conference marks his 100th day in office. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
