Live Blog from the Anchor Desk 05/01/09
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Tonight on AC360°, we'll have the latest on the swine flu outbreak. Plus, the Supreme Court shake-up. Justice David Souter making it official today that's he'll be retiring when this current session ends in June. Tonight, we'll look at the possible contenders to replace him.
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Anderson Cooper goes beyond the headlines to tell stories from many points of view, so you can make up your own mind about the news. Tune in weeknights at 8 and 10 ET on CNN.
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Sanjay Gupta just said Tamiflu is very effective at preventing the spread of swine flu. So why aren't as many people as possible being given Tamiflu as a prophylactic, until a vaccine is available?
Why is everyone making such a big deal about this virus? Everytime someone sneezes now they are going to divert airplanes and close schools and businesses. If school systems close down for up to 14 days as the CDC recommended, how will this time be made up? We are nearing the end of the traditional school year in most states. It wouldn't surprise me if cash strapped school systems used this to sve some money. People die of flu, and even from the common cold every day. Now when someone gets an upset stomach on a cruise ship, or gets a cough or a fever, the CDC suddenly goes into overdrive. I wonder how many illegal aliens and drugs are coming into the country while we are busy looking for the sniffles!
Happy May Day Anderson and bloggers!
Since Souter was already somewhat of a liberal I don't think his replacement will make any difference on the Court no matter who Obama chooses.
Anderson,
Happy Friday!
It will be fascinating to see who Pres. Obama chooses to replace Justice Souter.
So I guess Affirmative Action applies to Supreme court nominees as well.
I am hopeful that the President will pick a woman to replace Justice Souter.
Either way, i am confident that whoever he picks, they will be well qualified!
Thanks Joe Johns for an excellent report, as always.
I understand that the baby who died from swine flu had been to the Galleria in Houston the day before very, very sick. How many people did he infect in the Galleria? That is a major shopping center!
WOW, what a story it would make! How does the deal work for the big pharma companies for a flu vaccine? Consider about a dozen companies get to work on a vaccine, and one company gets it immediately, fast than the others. How does the money flow? If one company got the recipe right, do they hold the legal rights to revenue generated by the sales of their findings. Are all the other companies mandated to manufacture that recipe and only get paid to reproduce while the first company could name their price.
Would be great to see this investigated.
Great lecture at CCSU tonight Anderson!
As far as Obama's choice for the Supreme Court goes, I believe Obama should not be pressured into picking someone who is middle of the road just because he has stated he wishes to seem bipartisan. Part of the reason he wanted to be President was to set in place policies that coincide with his ideals. The appointment should be someone who reflects Obama and what he is trying to do, not someone who appeases the GOP.
I was on the bus two days ago and a young boy with on the bus with his mother. They were latino. The poor boy had a cold and was coughing. His poor mother was giving him a handkerchief and telling him to keep it over his mouth. I think everyone on the bus was afraid and the mother knew this. It's sad that this is making everyone so afraid. I only hope they can catch it before it really spreads.
This Justice opportunity gives Obama a chance to make a safe but important replacement.
My husband is a meat cutter. Is it possible for him to get the swine flu from raw pork?
How did the swine flu get into the population?
We'll see if there is a double standard in Obama's pick as far as litmus tests. Dems never support conservative justices who have firm anti-abortion positions. The same should go for vocal pro-abortion justices.
Could this be the beginning of an Obama legacy in the Supreme Court with the retirement of Justice Souter?
Serveral Justices held off retirement until the election due to the past administrations views...
Love the President Obama, Robert Gibbs, Press Corp exchange - and Gibbs comment about President Obama leaving before the Q & A!
I'd like to know if Dr. Gupta was able to find a link between the original outbreak in La Gloria to the Smithfield Pork Factory nearby. He said he was going to look into it. It seems obvious to me where the virus originated and crossed over, and yet that story is nowhere to be found. Are we afraid of offending another industrial polluter?
Has anyone read the book about the 1918 flu epidemic called "The poisoned needle"? This book says the flu was spread by the vaccination shot. Anybody knows any truth to this? It also said that no one got the flu that was not given the shot. Would love to hear about the facts on this.
Joel May 1st, 2009 10:09 pm ET
Hello. I am a first timer. Hard to type as fast as the blogs number.
Hellooo Joel!!!
Welcome to Live Blog tonight Enjoy join blog tonight!!!!!! come in!
Far minded and independent!I like that, sounds like an individual who leans somewhat to the left.
I bet his nominee comes from Chicago!
All the time media gives no. of cases. Why no one writes about the progress of these cases? How many got recovered. It would give more confidence to general public about the prognosis of the flu condition. Thanks
I can't figure out the far right conservatives misjudged Souter. How does that happen?
So happy to see the sense of humor in Mr.Obama and in Robert Gibbs. They seem to have fun when they can!
Wonder who will replace Souter.
President Obama's White House is sooooo different from the Bush Whit House, is it not? Wow!
How likely is it that this strain of H1N1 influenza virus could morph into a more deadly form of the virus?
Hello Anderson, Erica
"Where were we" indeed...?
I think Obama should pick a woman of color to replace Souter
I have a 8 weeks old baby and have a ticket to India for tomorrow.
Is it risky? Should I take it?
My husband is a truck driver so he travels to many cities. Right now all we can do is hope for the best and wait for the CDC to figure this thing out and pray that this flu to end.
What causes the SWINE FLUE? How would you know you have it?
We all know Souter is retiring now simply for Barry Obama to make an appointment
@Joel, welcome to the live blog! it does take some getting used to. 😀
@Bea, if they waited until people in the US were dying, it would be too late to close the boarder. Containment only works if you actual contain it, not 'monitor' the situation.
oh finally. You were blocked for some time – so glad to be back here again.
CNN has a great resource in Sanjay! He makes all of these health-related stories very clear and understandable. Hey...where is Anderson broadcasting from tonight?
Can Judge Judy replace Justice Souter?
I love Obamas sense of humor, priceless.
Has the White House talked about any special precautions to keep the President and First Family safe from swine flu? The President and his Cabinet have to travel internationally all the time–are their plans changing due to the outbreak?
@ Jen in Mex
Glad you bring some good news! 🙂
evening Anderson and Erica.
more H1N1 news, eh? thanks for pointing out that this strain isn't likely to be nearly as deadly as some people fear. i don't like how much people are freaking out. that's some nice reassurance.
could someone please answer this?.......if the flu is as bad as "they" say...then why are they not concerned about the handling of $$$$$...it is the greatest conduit of germs on the planet...it goes from person to person to person.....
Re: Souter, well AC just explained why i have no clue who he is! haha
Now that Dr. Gupta has been tested by the CDC, can he go home to his family?
But he just got back. I thought the incubation period was around 2 to 7 days.
I can understand the knee-jerk cautious reaction from hearing someone cough. In my classes, when someone coughs everyone turns to look at them.
Question: When swine cases are reported, here in the United States, why can't we get an exact location where the report came from, ex: What City, What Hospital? I think it would help prepare everybody else.
@Mike...I guess you'll know about the cough soon enough. Good luck.
It's my understanding that antivirals, like Tamiflu, should not be taken unless needed - within 24 hours of symptoms developing.