Spreading fear…
Joe Biden sets off a panic- Tells his family to avoid trains and planes:
The AP reported: Joe Biden said Thursday he advised his family to stay off airplanes and subways because of the new swine flu, a remark that forced the vice president’s office to backtrack and prompted one airline official to complain about “fear-mongering.” (April 30)
The White House quickly put released a clarifying press release:
The White House quickly arranged for Biden to make this statement through a spokesperson.
“On the Today Show this morning, the vice president was asked what he would tell a family member who was considering air travel to Mexico this week. The advice he is giving family members is the same advice the administration is giving to all Americans: that they should avoid unnecessary air travel to and from Mexico. If they are sick, they should avoid airplanes and other confined public spaces, such as subways. This is the advice the vice president has given family members who are traveling by commercial airline this week. As the president said just last night, every American should take the same steps you would take to prevent any other flu: Keep your hands washed; cover your mouth when you cough; stay home from work if you’re sick and keep your children home from school if they’re sick.”
The press release said that Biden gave his family the same advice he gave all Americans– not to travel if you are sick.
Of course, this is not true.
Biden was not talking about sick family members. He was talking about healthy family members using public transportation.
It was a nice try though.
