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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
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 H1N1 OUTBREAK 
23

US Declares Swine Flu Emergency

Move will eliminate red tape, allow for speedier vaccinations

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(AP) – President Obama declared the swine flu outbreak a national emergency and empowered his health secretary to suspend federal requirements and speed treatment for thousands of infected people. Despite the language, the White House emphasized the declaration is bureaucratic in nature and should not signal cause for alarm. The goal is to remove red tape and allow Kathleen Sebelius to grant waivers to overburdened medical facilities on such things as Medicare, Medicaid, or health privacy regulations.  

The outbreak has killed more than 1,000 people in the US, including 100 children, and 46 states report cases. Because of vaccine production delays, the government has backed off initial 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.

A nurse prepares the injectable version of the swine flu vaccine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Oct. 22, 2009.
A nurse prepares the injectable version of the swine flu vaccine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Oct. 22, 2009.   (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Marisol Rangeo receives the swine flu nasal spray vaccine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Oct. 22, 2009.
Marisol Rangeo receives the swine flu nasal spray vaccine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Oct. 22, 2009.   (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Catherine Governale holds her son George after receiving two swine flu shots  in Culver City Friday, Oct 23,  2009.
Catherine Governale holds her son George after receiving two swine flu shots in Culver City Friday, Oct 23, 2009.   (AP Photo/Nick Ut)
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As a nation, we have prepared at all levels of government, and as individuals and communities, taking unprecedented steps to counter the emerging pandemic . - President Obama

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23 comments
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JoeQ
Oct 24, 09 11:48 AM CDT
What if there was a real health emergency? Would that be a double emergency? Reply
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dontlikeyou
Oct 26, 09 10:05 AM CDT
A double-secret emergency.
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dontlikeyou
Oct 26, 09 10:07 AM CDT
Thousands die from flu every year in the USA. Why so much attention this year? What is different this year? I don't get it.
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ronimaca
Oct 24, 09 12:10 PM CDT
sometimes an educated guess is the only thing to do. How many people must die to call it an emergency? One thing I never want to be told and say is I told you so. Reply
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d3wd
Oct 24, 09 2:28 PM CDT
The answer to your question is "a lot more". Seasonal flu kills 35,000+ each year in the US. This 'emergency' is complete bullcrap.
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