American Morning
Fast Forward
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Here are some of the stories that will be making news later today:
Bank of America will be the target of protests at hundreds of branches across the country today. The demonstrations coincide with the bank's annual shareholders meeting. Taxpayers are now the largest holders of Bank of America's stock.
At 1pm ET, a Senate subcommittee holds an emergency hearing on the public health response to the "swine flu" outbreak. Officials from the Centers for Disease Control and the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases are expected to testify.
In the midst of the swine flu outbreak, Congress is moving quickly to fill a vacant slot at the Department for Health and Human Services.
Today the Senate is set to approve Kathleen Sebelius as the agency's leader. Her confirmation has been held up in Congress.
What's on Tap – Tuesday April 28th, 2009
We are on the front lines of the fight to stem the spread of swine flu. The outbreak is possibly entering a dangerous new phase this morning – with suspected cases in the U.S. and Mexico nearly doubling. The World Health Organization has raised its pandemic level to four… saying level six – an all-out pandemic is not inevitable. Health officials now say there are 82 confirmed cases worldwide. Mexico, the center of the fight against the virus now suspects swine flu in 149 deaths. Two-thousand people are believed to be infected. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed 40 cases here at home, after further testing at a New York Catholic High School revealed that 28 students have been infected. The median age of the victims – just 16. The White House is now scrambling to get ahead of the outbreak.
President Obama calling it cause for “concern,” not “alarm.” Today, Dr. Sanjay Gupta gets exclusive access inside a Mexico City hospital where patients are isolated with swine flu. Nurses walked out in protest saying they are not being given enough protection from the disease.
We are also talking to a family under voluntary isolation because of the swine flu virus. The Henshaw family is under isolation after son Hayden was diagnosed. Now father Patrick and daughter Hannah say they have also been diagnosed with the strain.
The former head of the Food and Drug Administration, Dr. David Kessler will talk about the safety of our food supply. Some countries have now banned pork products. Should we? Dr. Kessler is also the author of the book "The End of Overeating.”
Another big story on the agenda today: The first 100 days. President Obama’s promise of change. The swift and bold actions he took to make good on that promise and whether you’re better off than you were 100 days ago.
We Listen!
Here’s your daily recap of the best feedback we got from YOU today. Continue the conversation below. And remember, keep it brief, and keep it clean. Thanks!
American Morning viewers emailed numerous questions about Swine Flu. With news of the EU suggesting limited travel to the U.S. and Mexico, some viewers encouraged the U.S. government to close the border with Mexico.
- Eileen: With the swine flu coming from Mexico, do you think the US gov. can finally close the border?
With a potential worldwide pandemic, should the United States take the drastic measure of closing our borders with Mexico? Do you believe this would be the most effective way to stem the rise in Swine Flu cases in the U.S.? The U.S. has already seen a number of reported cases of Swine Flu, so what do you believe should be the next important action for the new Obama Administration regarding this outbreak? Let us know your thoughts.
Regarding the Obama Administration’s First 100 Days, President Obama’s time in office was given an A+ by viewers, who were concerned that CNN would “nitpick everything he has done or tried to do.”
- Sandra: I see that you are gearing up to do your check list on President Obama's first 100 days and are probably going to nit pick everything he has done or tried to do in the short time he's been in office. Well in my opinion he's been more active and accessible in 3 months than Bush was in 8 years. I think it would be in the best interest of the country for you reporters to ask yourselves "What have I done in the last 100 days to help my country and fellow man?" rather than look for every small opportunity to make the President look bad just for ratings and your own personal agenda. We finally have an actual "HUMAN BEING" in the White House who is working for the average citizen and I for one grade him an A+ and wish him and his family all the best and much success in the future. Sandy
Tell us how you would grade the President and his administration on their first 100 days in office. Is President Obama living up to your expectations or are you disappointed in his performance so far? Share your opinions with us.
Swine flu and the death of Pontiac (they are unrelated)
In a drive to survive, GM and Chrysler stay one step ahead of a bankruptcy filing.
GM will scrap the 84-year-old Pontiac brand, close more plants, cut 23,000 workers by 2011 and essentially shrink by a third over the next six years.
If bondholders accept a deal to convert their stake to stock - and the company avoids bankruptcy - the government and the unions would end up owning 89% of GM.
Meanwhile, Chrysler won more concessions from its unions as it races toward a Thursday deadline to restructure or face bankruptcy. The clock ticks for these two companies. Either way, it is bad news for American autoworkers and the towns they live in. There will be more jobs lost.
Swine flu is hammering airline stocks and anything related to travel and leisure. If SARS and bird flu are any indication, here’s how this story plays out: Treasuries rally because they are seen as the global safe haven. Drug stocks rally – especially any company with a flu virus or treatment on the market or in the pipeline.
Stocks in general remain nervous, because a global health threat comes at a time when the global system is fragile and confidence scarce. That said, I am impressed stocks have held up so well. Maybe the cue is from GM and a feeling it might avoid a catastrophic bankruptcy.
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