Did you catch President Obama’s comments this morning about swine flu? Well, he didn’t actually use that specific term. Obama referred repeatedly to the “H1N1 virus,” which is the scientific term for the sickness. What changed? Well, the Obama administration has been hearing big time complaints from the pork lobby and others that the term “swine flu” is misleading—after all, you technically can’t catch the virus from eating pork—and they contend its damaging to the industry. Earlier this week, several countries, including China and Thailand, announced a ban on pork products from the US. That has prompted some damage control among Obama officials, including Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “This really isn’t swine flu. It’s the H1N1 virus,” Vilsack told reporters Tuesday. “We want to say to consumers here and broad that there is no risk to you, there is no scientific evidence whatsoever that there is any link between consuming pork, prepared pork products and the H1N1 virus.” But it’s hard to put the toothpaste back in the tube. This morning, your Gaggler noticed the White House has posted a big notice on its home page, referring its audience to information on the “H1N1 virus” including Obama’s speech Monday in which he repeatedly referred to “swine flu” and briefings on the “swine flu.”
