Obama Declares Swine Flu a National Emergency

[LuvNewcastle]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama has declared 2009 H1N1 swine flu a national emergency, the White House said on Saturday.

The declaration will make it easier for U.S. medical facilities to handle a surge in flu patients by allowing the waiver of some requirements of Medicare, Medicaid and other federal health insurance programs as needed, the White House said in a statement.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Friday that swine flu has become widespread in 46 of the 50 U.S. states, a level comparable to the peak of ordinary flu seasons but far earlier and with more waves of infection expected.

Obama signed the statement on Friday night.

The White House statement said the declaration was intended to prepare the country in case of "a rapid increase in illness that may overburden health care resources." It was similar to disaster declarations issued before hurricanes hit coastal areas.

"It's important to note that this is a proactive measure -- not a response to a new development," an administration official said.

"H1N1 is moving rapidly, as expected. By the time regions or healthcare systems recognize they are becoming overburdened, they need to implement disaster plans quickly," he said.

http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSTRE59N19E20091024

[Dogmudgeon]

1. And it's still only October

Glad it's a mild flu -- although not mild for children.

--d!

[uppityperson]

2. Here is a chart of flu trends, click on country, can also go to state/province, etc

http://www.google.org/flutrends/

[BadgerKid]

3. If anything, the flu education compaign has been worthwhile.

I haven't seen sick people out and about in public like I did on past years. Old wisdom has been rediscovered.

[elocs]

4. "Obama signed the statement on Friday night."

That would have been last night, wouldn't it?