VP Biden says dumb things about swine flu
While on the road for several hours yesterday after visiting family, I finally settled on National Public Radio. I hear lots of good stuff on NPR when I’m in the mood for it. Just a few miles from home, I heard a story about some bad risk communication from an uninformed political figure. That’s always fun in my line of work…
According to the NPR story aired yesterday (heard by clicking Listen Now), when asked about the outbreak of swine flu on the Today show, U.S. vice president Joe Biden said he has told his family,
“I wouldn’t go anywhere in confined places now. It’s not that you’re going to Mexico – it’s that you’re in a confined aircraft and when one person sneezes, it goes all the way through the aircraft.”
Dr. Mark Gendreau, whose research has focused on flying and the spread of diseases, was quoted as saying that a sneeze would only travel about 3 feet. Only people two seats in front or two seats behind a sneezer on an airplane were in danger of contacting infected droplets.
Dr. Gendreau recommended washing hands often and using alcohol-based hand sanitizers to limit the spread of infection.
Biden also told the Today show that, if they had another form of transportation, he does not suggest that his family ride the subway.
In response, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who often rides the subway to work, said,
“I feel perfectly safe on the subway and taking the subway does not present any more risks than anything else.”
The text version of the NPR story now available online states that,
“[T]he vice president's office [later] issued a statement translating Biden-speak into bureaucratese: Biden was merely restating the same advice the Obama administration is giving everyone, to avoid unnecessary travel. The statement also reiterated the now-familiar admonition to cover your face when you cough.”
That’s not what I heard.
http://barfblog.foodsafety.ksu.edu/admin/trackback/128556
Aerosols or droplets from sneezes or coughs aren't the only way influenza viruses get transmitted. From the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety :
"How is influenza transmitted?
"The influenza viruses mainly are spread from person to person through droplets produced while coughing or sneezing. Droplets of an infected person are propelled by coughing and sneezing into the air and are deposited on the mouth or nose of people nearby. This droplet transmission of the flu is a kind of contact transmission.
"The influenza viruses can also be transmitted by indirect contact by touching a contaminated object or surface and then touching your own mouth, eyes or nose before washing your hands. This is also called fomite transmission - a fomite is any surface or inanimate thing (door knobs, telephones, towels, money, clothing, dishes, books, etc.) that has a contagious or infective agent after an infected person contaminated it by touching it or sneezing on it. Viruses can survive on surfaces - longer on hard, impermeable surfaces than on porous surfaces. The viruses can still be infective for two hours and maybe up to eight hours."
I am leaving this week to go to Arizona. It's a long flight and I have chronic lung desease. Is it safe for me to go? I am scared. I want to see my grandson, so is the risk for me anymore than someone else?
Elizabeth,
It is my understanding that no person is at greater risk for infection by this flu virus on an airplane than any other public place. Keep in mind, though, that according to a guidance document from the CDC (found at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/recommendations.htm), persons with chronic lung disorders are at high-risk for complications of the flu in all settings.
Your doctor will have more specifically-tailored recommendations for you, but I suggest washing your hands often (or using alcohol-based hand sanitizers) and keeping your distance from people who are sick, no matter where you are. I hope you enjoy your time with your grandson!