H1N1 アメリカの新型インフルエンザ対策　／　オバマ大統領

オバマ大統領の演説骨子、以下の通りです；
インフルエンザについて語る前に、先ず先月のアメリカの製造業の生産量が２年振りに増加という数字を見せたことを報告しました。自動車を含む輸送機器やコンピューターのような電子機器の製造や投資が増え、経済回復の兆候を示しているということです。
新型インフルエンザについては春から国民に「過敏にならず準備を怠り無く」ということを訴えてきました。インフルエンザは通常は秋に第二波が襲ってくるものであり、対応計画を政府を挙げて取り組んできました。安全で効果的なワクチン開発にも取り組み、摂取は強制的ではありませんが強く推奨されます。
地方政府を含めて万全な医療体制を構築していますが、家庭やビジネスの対応も必要であり、例えば患者は家庭にとどまるようにするべきです。個人がそれぞれのリスク管理を行い、単純ですが手洗いやマスク着用などを励行することです。今後数ヶ月で更に予測できない動きもあるかもしれませんが、我々はチームとして万全の準備態勢を整えています。
Good afternoon, everybody. Before I say a few words about the meeting we just had I’d like to mention some good news that came out today about our economy. For the first time in 18 months, our manufacturing sector has expanded, and the statistics used to measure manufacturing output is the highest it’s been in over two years.
This means greater production of transportation equipment like cars, and electronic equipment like computers and appliances, and it means these companies are starting to invest more and produce more, and it is a sign that we’re on the path to economic recovery.
There’s no doubt that we have a long way to go, and I and the other members of this administration will not let up until those Americans who are looking for jobs can find them. But this is another important sign that we’re heading in the right direction, and that the steps we’ve taken to bring our economy back from the brink are working.
Now, we just had a good meeting about our ongoing efforts to prepare this country for the H1N1 flu virus this fall. And I want to thank John Brennan, our CDC Director Tom Frieden, and Secretaries Sebelius, Napolitano, Duncan, and Locke, for all the good work that they’ve been doing to get us ready today.
As I said when we saw the first cases of this virus back in the spring, I don’t want anybody to be alarmed, but I do want everybody to be prepared. We know that we usually get a second, larger wave of these flu viruses in the fall, and so response plans have been put in place across all levels of government. Our plans and decisions are based on the best scientific information available, and as the situation changes, we will continue to update the public.
We’re also making steady progress on developing a safe and effective H1N1 flu vaccine, and we expect a flu shot program will begin soon. This program will be completely voluntary, but it will be strongly recommended.
For all that we do in the federal government, however, every American has a role to play in responding to this virus. We need state and local governments on the front lines to make antiviral medications and vaccines available, and be ready to take whatever steps are necessary to support the health care system. We need hospitals and health care providers to continue preparing for an increased patient load, and to take steps to protect health care workers. We need families and businesses to ensure that they have plans in place if a family member, a child, or a co-worker contracts the flu and needs to stay home.
And most importantly we need everyone to get informed about individual risk factors, and we need everyone to take the common-sense steps that we know can make a difference. Stay home if you’re sick. Wash your hands frequently. Cover your sneezes with your sleeve, not your hands. And take all the necessary precautions to stay healthy. I know it sounds simple, but it’s important and it works.
Finally, for people who want to learn more about this virus, please go to www.flu.gov, or talk to your doctor.
I want to commend every member of our team. I think we’ve done an extraordinary job in preparing for this flu outbreak. We anticipate that there will be some issues coming up over the next several months. The way it’s moving is still somewhat unpredictable, but what I’m absolutely confident about is that our team that’s assembled here has done an extraordinary job in preparing for whatever may happen.
So we appreciate all of you for being here, and I want to publicly again thank you for all your extraordinarily hard work. All right.