Obama on Swine Flu: Urges 'Utmost Precautions' And Advises Schools with Cases to Close

I live in San Diego and Substitute teach. After living 2 years in Kenya, East Africa, I would encourage the following safety measures for families:

1 Give each child a small bottle of hand sanitizer. Discuss how germs are spread and give them a reward if they use their sanitizer at school especially before lunch when they will be in contact with food and their mouth/face etc. I gave my kids a dollar each day they come home and told me how they used their sanitizer. This makes it like a game and is less scarry for children. Also, encourage them to let their "friends" use sanitizer, less germs around them.

2. Practice what to do if you need to sneeze or itch your nose or wipe your eye. I would recommend they either put their face in their shirt to sneeze, use a kleenex when available. Also practice using the area ABOVE the wrist to wipe any itches. Fingers obviously have the most germs.

3. Practice turning away when someone sneezes. You can ask them about this after school and praise them for remembering. They may also help you know if some kids in their class may have symptoms.

4. Never share drinks or food with friends. Now it would be especially wise to not share with family members either.

5. Keep to the same area of people you are inevitably around. Use the grocery store only by your home and buy more and shop less times.

6. You may want to buy groceries and shop online.

7. If you run out of hand sanitizer or hands start getting sore, you can also use an antibacterial wipe. If you put if in a ziplock baggie it will stay moist and you can use throughout day. Works well.

8.Go to stores early so there are less germs. The flu virus can usually last up to 2 hours.

9. When in stores try not to touch what others would repeatedly touch like the countertop by the checkout, also checkout magazines. wipe cart handles before use.

10. When using others cell phones, or multi user computers, wipe down first or atleast sanitize your hands. the alcohol from the sanitizer should help.

11. Breathe through your nose instead of mouth when possible in public places and don't stand close to others. Keep greater distances in lines

12. Going to a hospital or airport, consider wearing a mask and remember same tips for caution still apply.

13. Remember, the goal is to help it not spread, most people Do not Die from it, but it is surely Not FUN to have the flu, especially a stronger one. Pray for health and wisdom and families that are affected.
Smile, but with your mouth closed of course.

"Well if the Katrina response was Bushs then the Swine flu response belongs to Obama."

Lol. Yeah...those are the same.

what a load while everyone has fear flu what is washington going to be doing ?? some things never change.

Wouldn't it be better if the Obama administration rather than keep us informed, actually did something. I have heard nothing of efforts to control the spread of swine flu. Forgive me I mean H1N1. How about quarantines, restricted travel, closures, flights banned, clamping down on travel at the southern border. Maybe Bush should have simply called Hurricane Catrina H25 and it would have all been better.

Well if the Katrina response was Bushs then the Swine flu response belongs to Obama.

This flu started during the Bush Administration.

"Texas Gov. Rick Perry said that he was declaring a disaster in order to be properly prepared for the swine flu outbreak.

During a press conference Wednesday, Perry said the disaster declaration would allow the state to implement emergency protective measures and receive government assistance. That assistance would include receiving an additional 840,000 doses of flu medications from the national stockpile.

During the news conference, Department of State Health Services Commissioner Dr. David Lakey said that there are now 16 cases on swine flu in Texas. He said that two Texans, and infant and a pregnant woman, are in critical condition." (CBS)

Comal ISD closed
New Braunfels ISD closed
Cleburne ISD closed
+ other individual schools, daycares and districts across the state.

We need to close near the Mexican border.

All public schools are not close because of the swine flu. The government and the mainstream news media are just trying to scare us. Beside to discuss about swine flu, they need to fix the economy.

"Every American should know that the federal government is prepared to do whatever necessary to control the impact of this virus,” he said

this is a frightening statement... I personally think all this scare is being created, just like the fly over they knew would insight panic. Martial law is around the corner?

So, they are closing our borders during this epidemic, right? NO. Why not?
how sincere do you think they really are about containing this thing?
It will be another excuse to take money for medical research...I smell legislation coming.
Besides, I thought Obama could heal the sick. Have we all been mislead?

Schools and school districts across Texas are starting to close due to this flu. All High school athletic competitions have been postponed state-wide until May 11th....

As Swine Flu is spread by human to human contact, and children are the # 1 spreaders of germs, it becomes imperative to educate children on how germs are spread.
Young children don't spread germs because they want to, they don't know how NOT to.
Germy Wormy Germ Smart for Kids educates and entertains kids while teaching them how to NOT spread germs.
Please pass along to anyone who has young children and is concerned about the spread of the Swine Flu

I love this administration! We are hearing how involved they are with planning for this potential problem. It is very reassuring.

Tom, someone else told you it takes months to prepare a vaccine so I hope you've lost your bitterness on not getting yours. You also mentioned that anti-virals wouldn't work, that's wrong. This flu and others are viruses not bacteria. They are using the Tamiflu pills now for people who've been exposed or are in the early stages of the flu and it has helped them. The only time they would use anti-biotics is if someone got a secondary bacterial infection because their immune system was overwhelmed battling the flu virus.
I hope you feel a little better with accurate information. Remember, getting enough sleep, drinking water, mild exercise, eating veggies and fruit all build up your immune system to put up a good fight if this flu or the others we already had catch you. Smiling and laughing helps your immune system too, so rent a funny movie or two.

"Urges and Advises"...YEP

Tapper -

That would be a good investigative story.

CNN is reporting Mexico knew of their first case of swine flu on 4/2.

They allowed our President to come to their ground zero of this highly contagious disease on 4/16.

When did Mexico realize the severity and significance of the problem?

Did they report it to us or did the US discover it and subsequently uncover the problem in Mexico?

My apologies if these questions have been answered.

silky is right that the cartels slowed the # of spring breakers a bit but here in PA our spring break was, and usually is, mid-April.
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Actually, I said that about the cartels.

Do you know who else was in Mexico and Mexico City on April 16th and 17th?

Our President among other leaders.

"Sometimes it is important to distinguish between a lie and error..."

Always. But in this case it's a lie. Fabricating evidence is tantimount to lying. Using testimony you know is bogus is tantimount to lying. Saying that a meeting took place between two people when you you know it didn't take place, is lying. But I agree that it's important to distinguish between a lie and an error. Figured that goes without saying.

Sorry elle. I meant jhw539.

Also, sorry silky. I meant Paige.

Elle says "? They are aggressively testing for it, instituting quarantines at the local level as appropriate,..."

REALLY?? Who has been quarantined? Who are they testing? the illegals in the desert?Yeah, right.

silky is right that the cartels slowed the # of spring breakers a bit but here in PA our spring break was, and usually is, mid-April.