He also said he would tell family members to "stay off subways" during this Swine Flu outbreak.
Video below:
I would take it a step farther personally, by saying, "during regular flu season, confined spaces with a lot of people, will get you sick!!!
This apparently didn't fly too well with the White House though, because immediately after this statement was made, the White House arranged for a statement from Biden's 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."
(Emphasis mine)
Biden did make that point also, but it wasn't his only point.
For once Biden didn't gaffe, he spoke the unvarnished truth and yet, somehow, in the world of Washington politics, the truth is the real gaffe.
As a sidenote- Obviously Biden didn't get the word about U.S. officials wanting people to stop using the term "Swine Flu", something about the "Swine" being taken out of the term.
Previous pieces written about Swine Flu:
U.S. Human Cases Of Swine Flu Infection- 91
U.S. Cases of Confirmed Swine Flu At 64
Number of Swine Flu Confirmed Cases Continues to Rise.
Swine Flu Update
"Swine Flu: U.S. Declares Public Emergency"
"Swine Flu: Pandemic Potential"
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