Obama Declares H1N1 Flu 'National Emergency'

Fox News ^ | 10/24/09 | AP/Fox News

[TennesseeGirl]

President Obama signed a proclamation declaring the H1N1 influenza a national emergency, giving doctors and medical facilities greater leeway in responding to the flu pandemic.

Obama signed the declaration late Friday, which the White House said allows medical treatment facilities to better handle a surge in flu patients by waiving federal requirements on a case-by-case basis.

"The foundation of our national approach to the H1N1 flu has been preparedness at all levels -- personal, business, and government -- and this proclamation helps that effort by advancing our overall response capability," the White House said in a statement.

In the proclamation, Obama said the pandemic keeps evolving, the rates of illness are rising rapidly in many areas and there's a potential "to overburden health care resources."

Because of vaccine production delays, the government has backed off initial, optimistic estimates that as many as 120 million doses would be available by mid-October. As of Wednesday, only 11 million doses had been shipped to health departments, doctor's offices and other providers, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (excerpted)

[TennesseeGirl]

"The H1N1 pandemic is a national emergency?" Except the CDC stopped testing for H1N1 effective July 2009. How do they know?

[omega4179]

WE ARE GOING TO DIE.

[dljordan]

Exactly what legal weight does a Presidential Proclamation have?

[allmost]

They stopped testing, literally invented a slew of statistics and deaths, this was a step many saw coming. The ‘state’ can’t prevent human contact and there is not enough vaccine. What can possibly be gained from this?

[YankeeReb]

I'm sure it's just a coincidence that the Bama is pushing for socialized medicine and WOW you have a national medical emergency. Yeah, just a coincidence.

[allmost]

For the people, that is.

[Newfy]

So how come he and his family haven’t had the shots?

[mapmaker77]

I DON’T TRUST THESE PEOPLE!

[The Comedian]

America has been in one long, shifting emergency since Jan. 20, 2009, and will be in one long, shifting emergency until Soetoro is frog marched out of the WH.

That being said, there is something exceptionally sinister about this Federal response to a flu.

Consider this: The Federal government gets everyone in a panic over a less-than-lethal flu, and a *real* killer, like an H5N1 (60% mortality) variant with H1N1 communicability shows up in February 2010, but America is burned out on the whole flu scam from last time, and millions die because of this "crying wolf" in Oct. 2009.

Frowning takes 68 muscles.
Smiling takes 6.
Pulling this trigger takes 2.
I'm lazy.

[maine yankee]

I agree

I hate to sound like a member of the ‘tin foil’ brigade, but; I feel like this is the first shot fired in the next revolution.

...What phrase will we use as our “wolverines !” ?

[Outrance]

348 Million people

1,000 deaths

[allmost]

So how come he and his family haven’t had the shots?

In the event of an actual emergency it's pretty much SOP to ensure the President's safety. Your question has more to do with the reality of the threat.

[equaviator]

This declaration by Barack Obama is just another abuse of the power of suggestion, plain and simple.

[freekitty]

I have had it with their lies.

[Texas4ever]

Is this his attempt to do something Presidential?

I declare swine flu bad...emergency...uh...I proclaim...

Enough speeches....do something!

[TennesseeGirl]

According to the TN Dept. of Health, only 33,000 H1N1 vaccinations have been given to date. We had the live intranasal FluMist for about a month. This week they started using the dead virus injections. Color Tennesseans skeptical.

[Caribou]

[Eroteme]

“You don’t ever want a serious crisis to go to waste; and what I mean by that, it’s an opportunity to do important things that you would otherwise avoid.” —Rahm Emmanuel

[RnMomof7]

I think this gives him the right to pull old folks off life support (ventilators) so young folks can have them...

It probably also allows him to censor our email and internet news... maybe shut down Fox, and send in the troops .

He is now “the man”

[tumblindice]

If we don’t act right now then—let me be honest—either Fox news or that flu is going to kill us all tomorrow.
your putative president

(Urgent Emergency by Foreigner)
You say its urgent
Make it fast, make it urgent
Do it quick, do it urgent
Gotta rush, make it urgent
Want it quick
Urgent, urgent, emergency
Urgent, urgent, emergency
Urgent, urgent, emergency
Urgent, urgent, emergency
So urgent, emergency
Emer... emer... emer...
Its urgent

[Sprite518]

Right because they (The Government) wants to force the Vaccines by calling it a Nation Security issue. Although hardly anyone has died from it compared to the normal flu.

[ncfool]

It will destroy travel. I wonder what the airlines,Hotels and travel sites will do with non-changable reservations?

I would assume that they will refund cancelations! Ya I have a bridge to sell you. Or was that Health care to sell you.

This might just be a scare to gain support for ObamaCare.

[Sprite518]

It’s all about control by the “Control Freaks”. The same reason why they are trying to ass “diversity” to talk radio. Oh and of course now control the Internet.

[allmost]

This is a bit rahm and a bit of biden’s “generated crisis”. The administration’s symbolism is hard for any thinking person to ignore either. Declare a shadow ‘emergency’ powers declaration on United Nation’s day (today). I hate this tinfoil conspiracy crap but if it walks like a duck and talks like a duck...

[ncfool]

Only if you voted for a republican.

[gunnyg]

Wha Hoppen?

hussein usually does his Big Sh!tty of the week late on Friday afternoon....ia this another shift in apolicy???

[tillacum]

The latest blaring NEWS...we’ve lost 1,000 people to H1N1. It seems we lose 30 to 40 thousand people a year to the flu. So what’s the big deal here? IT’S ANOTHER DISTRACTION for the socialist wh to push the health scare bill. It has been building toward this health scare bill GRAB ever since the bill first appeared...THEN CAME H1N1 the SCOURGE of the world. This administration is using this made up calamity to push the health scare bill through congress, so this lack luster tourist-in-chief can tell us how he’s saving our lives.

[tillacum]

Yeah, send in the troops to FOX, Rush, Reagan, Thompson and FreeRepublic. BUT NO TROOPS TO AFGHANISTAN...whata president.

[panaxanax]

You’re not a member of the ‘tin-foil brigade’ yet, but we accepting applications.

The road to Marshall Law begins with a “National Emergency” (done), then quickly followed by an “Executive Order” (done, but not currently enacted).

That is when serious rumblings of CW2 will begin. It might not be a bad idea to start stocking up on some everyday items, i.e. toilet paper, bottled water, canned goods, ammo, ammo and more ammo. Pay off whatever bills you can and have as much cash on hand as you can afford. Pay bills ahead if possible. Fill up your gas cans, top off your heating oil tank, cut more firewood, buy an extra ton of pellets if you have a pellet stove. Make sure your generator has extra spark plugs and a recent oil/filter change. Same with your vehicle.

Concentrate on things that could become hard to get IF the Zer0 enacts a quarantine on travel. This is very important if you live in a remote or rural area. Clean your weapons and......did I already mention to buy more ammo? It will be the currency of the future.

Keep your powder dry and pray for the best.

[incredulous joe]

To go along with the unique coincidence of the major medical research group that pooh poohed cancer screening just the other day.

Cancer screening is actually detrimental to survival of cancer patients?

What a bunch of shameless whores.

[ncfool]

I think that Fox must be spreading the H1N1 we better seize them now.

[incredulous joe]

Never let a crisis go to waste!

And if you haven’t got one ~ other than your own incompetent, bumbling and dithering administration ~ fabricate one.

[Don Corleone]

348 Million people 1,000 deaths

Typical holiday weekend traffic toll

[uncle fenders]

I think after eight years of blaming Bush for not acting fast enough, that they are going to go overboard on everything before it can be blamed on them.

[tillacum]

FOX means Frighten Off Xenos (illegal ones)

[blueyon]

People are dying from the lack of vaccinations! Obamas Katrina! Bush had a week, Obama had months to prepare and get help out!

[traditional1]

I think the REAL National Emergency is the Communist takeover of Congress and the White House, myself.

[autumnraine]

Apparently *some* are saying that since we have lost 1000 BEFORE flu ‘season’ hits, it’s going to be MASSIVE once flu ‘season’ hits.

I do not know enough to argue for or against this.

[ImJustAnotherOkie]

Obama will probably need to confiscate guns, knives and roll out the National Guard to combat the FLU.

[YankeeReb]

Cancer screening is actually detrimental to survival of cancer patients?

Once Obama-care is put in place there will be no cancer screenings. Gotta cut costs you know. Let's see how soon they declare MRIs and CAT scans unnecessary. Where this administration is concerned, there are no coincidences and everything they say is double talk.

[incredulous joe]

For my money ~ or lack thereof ~ the economy is Obama’s Katrina.

Obama lied. Industry died!

[TigersEye]

In the proclamation, Obama said the pandemic keeps evolving, the rates of illness are rising rapidly in many areas and there's a potential "to overburden health care resources."

IOWs "flu season has begun."

[Protect the Bill of Rights]

"to overburden health care resources."

Being 55, if I get it, I guess I am on my own. Wonder if the doctors will be able to make an appointment with us older folks? (Only 1/2 kidding)

[TigersEye]

I am 54 so please stop referring to 55 yr olds as "older folks." ;^)

Seriously though, I am not sure why you are wondering whether you can get a doctor's appt. Aren't they treating us old codgers now? Personally I prefer to be on my own. I haven't had the flu in over 27 years, never had a flu shot and have learned of several ways to knock the stuffings out of the flu virus.

[Protect the Bill of Rights]

I'm with you - I can count one one finger how many times I have had the flu.

The last time I went to the doctor because I was sick was when I had pneumonia about 15 years ago. Like clockwork my fever would spike to 104 each day around 4 pm. The fever would go down after taking Tylenol. I would feel almost as good as new with a low grade fever (I never considered a 100 a fever) the next morning. It took me 4 days to decide to get to the doctor's office.

An interesting study would be an examination of the medical records of children who have had documented H1N1 to see how many were prescribed antibiotics in the past “just in case.” My hunch is that many of these kids have not developed a strong immune system (not talking about the high risk kids).

[TigersEye]

I hadn’t thought of that but it is an interesting idea. No one should be prescribed antibiotics for the cold or flu, unless they acquire a secondary infection, but the fact is that it does happen. Parents often pressure physicians into giving their children a “just in case” shot.

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

We’re dooooooooooooooooooooooooomed!

Oh noze!

Run for your lives!

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

Has anybody actually bothered with an H5N1 vaccine. That would be the thing to have, healthy or not. The H1N1 vaccine sounds good, on the other hand, for young or unhealthy people (diabetic, HIV-positive, and so on) or people with young children, elderly relatives, unhealthy relatives, etc.

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

It's Obama's fault!^TM

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

Eh, it's just a coincidence. What's a little WHO concern among friends?