President Obama comment on flu cases in US

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1. Wide of US President Barack Obama, Vice-President Joe Biden, and Senator Arlen Specter entering room
2. Cutaway, press corps pan to Obama speaking
3. SOUNDBITE: (English) Barack Obama, US President
“This is obviously a serious situation, serious enough to take the upmost precautions. Secretary Napolitano, and Secretary Seblieus and our entire team are in close contact with state and local authorities around the nation, but I would also urge health agencies in local communities to be vigilant about identifying suspected cases of this virus in your areas and reporting them to the appropriate state and federal authorities in a timely way.”
4. Cutaway, wide of room
5. SOUNDBITE: (English) Barack Obama, US President
“It’s also the recommendation of our public health officials that schools with confirmed or suspected cases of H1N1 should strongly consider temporarily closing so that we can be as safe as possible. If the situation becomes more serious and we have to take more extensive steps, then parents should also think about contingency if schools in their areas do temporarily shut down.”
6. Cutaway, close view of Arlen Specter
7. SOUNDBITE: (English) Barack Obama, US President
“Every American should know that the federal government is prepared to do whatever is necessary to control the impact of this virus, but there are also steps that Americans can take individually. They’re the same steps that you would take to prevent any other flu. Keep your hands washed, cover your mouth when you cough, stay home from work if you are sick, keep your children home from school if they are sick.”
8. Wide of Obama, Specter and Biden
STORYLINE:
US President Barack Obama suggested on Wednesday that school closures may be necessary because of the swine flu outbreak, in an escalating global health emergency that claimed the first death in the United States.
Noting that a 23-month-old Texas toddler was the first confirmed death in the US from swine flu, Obama said schools with confirmed swine flu infections should consider closing classes if conditions worsen.
Giving an update on a health menace that has dominated public officials’ time and caused universal anxiety, Obama said he wanted to extend “my thoughts and prayers” to the family of the young boy who died in Texas.
It’s the first confirmed US fatality in a widening health emergency that has now also swept Germany onto the list of affected nations.

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