Vice president Joe Biden said today he would tell his family members not to use subways in the U.S. and implied schools should be shuttered as the swine flu outbreak spread to 11 states and forced school closures amid confirmation of the first U.S. death.
"I wouldn't go anywhere in confined places now," Biden said when asked whether he would advise family members to use public transportation.
Biden made his comments during a brief interview on NBC's "Today" show during an interview with Matt Lauer.
"I would tell members of my family, and I have, I wouldn't go anywhere in confined places now. It's not that it's going to Mexico, it's you're in a confined aircraft when one person sneezes it goes all the way through the aircraft. That's me. I would not be, at this point, if they had another way of transportation suggesting they ride the subway. "
The vice president also implied that schools should be closed as the threat of swine flu increases.
"If you're out in the middle of a field and someone sneezes that's one thing. If you're in a closed aircraft or a closed container or closed car or closed classroom it's a different thing."
About two hours after the interview, Biden's office issued a statement attempting to clarify the vice president's remarks.
How this guy was elected vice president is beyond me - the next time he stops to think before opening his mouth will be the first time.
