Local Members of Congress react to swine flu outbreak

By Hal Conick, Liberty Suburban

While many people have been worked into a panic over the swine-influenza pandemic, members of Congress are trying to stay composed and ready.

U.S. Rep Bill Foster, D-14, of Geneva said that he is trying to stay alert with regard to swine flu in the 14th District.

“We had a detailed congressional briefing (last week),” Foster said.  “All emergency-response plans were laid out nationwide.”

Foster said that right now, members of Congress are about as prepared as they can be for what happens next.

“You can always be more prepared,” Foster said. “But this is something that people are worried about.”

U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam, R-6th, of Wheaton said on Monday at an event to fight childhood obesity in Villa Park that he has been impressed with the caliber of alertness by all involved with fighting the swine flu.

Roskam said that he has met with leadership at O’Hare International Airport, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, customs and border control and Chicago to be briefed on what is being done.

“The response is appropriate and they are poised to go to another level if the CDC makes (the decision) if required,” Roskam said.

“We don’t need a sense of panic,” Roskam said. “It’s a flu strain. We need an appropriate sense of awareness.”

U.S. Rep. Judy Biggert, R-13th, of Hinsdale said in a statement that she understands the worry people have about their children becoming sick.

“The number one thing we have to do is focus on prevention,” Biggert said.

U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski, D-3rd, of Western Springs said that while the CDC has done a good job distributing anti-viral drugs and protective equipment to all of the states, he believes more can be done from other departments.

“I am particularly concerned that the Department of Homeland Security is not doing enough to protect our borders by being vigilant in stopping infected individuals from entering the country,” Lipinski said.

Lipinski believes the United States was too slow in issuing a travel warning earlier last week.

“Now, we must make sure that we act decisively to do all we can to stop outbreaks from spreading,” Lipinski said.

There were 403 probable cases of swine flu in the United States as of press time, according to the CDC.