Posted on 07/29/2014 10:51:00 PM PDT by kristinn
The Obama administration is urging federal employees to stay home during the summit of African leaders being held in Washington, D.C. next week and to monitor local news for announcement of a possible “closing of the federal government” —ostensibly over traffic issues.
At the same time the administration said the federal government is taking no “additional precautions” to deal with the potential spread of the Ebola virus by those attending the summit.
In a twelve paragraph article on the summit of African leaders hosted by President Obama, the New York Times devotes five paragraphs to the issue of Ebola affecting the summit—an issue the Gateway Pundit has raised in several articles this week.
The Ebola death last week of Patrick Sawyer, a naturalized American citizen who was working for the government of his native Liberia raised worldwide fear as he was able to travel by passenger plane from Liberia to Nigeria with a layover in Togo on his way to an international conference without his condition being noted until he became seriously ill on approach to Lagos.
Leaders and government officials from Liberia as well as the other nations affected by Ebola—Guinea, Sierra Leone and Nigeria are expected to attend the D.C. summit.
From the Times:
“In an email to top officials at federal offices, the nation’s personnel chief urged agencies to let their workers stay at home during the event, which takes place next Tuesday and Wednesday. Traffic is also expected to be snarled on Monday and Thursday as the leaders arrive and leave.
““Agencies should consider encouraging employees who can be spared from their duties to request to adjust their work schedules,” Katherine Archuleta, the director of the Office of Personnel Management, wrote Friday in a memo.”
…”Ms. Archuleta wrote that for now the federal government would remain open Monday through Thursday next week, but she advised federal employees to monitor local news outlets for announcements about potential street closings, disruptions to public transportation or a closing of the federal government.”
…””We believe air travel continues to be safe, and the C.D.C. has stated there is no significant risk in the United States from the current Ebola outbreak,” Edward Price, a spokesman for the White House National Security Council, said in an email.”
…”A spokesman for the C.D.C. said procedures were already in place to stem the spread of Ebola, and flight crews and airline personnel will generally not allow a sick passenger to board a plane.
“The spokesman, Jason McDonald, said, “There are no plans or indications that we’re going to take any additional precautions with the leaders who are coming.””
The White House downplaying of the Ebola threat contradicted State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki who said Monday about the summit, “…we’re taking every precaution…”
State gatherings in our nation’s capital are highly orchestrated affairs and quite common. This event was announced by the White House in January. It is odd for the federal government to suddenly urge its employees to stay home during a normal work week and to be aware for a possible government shut down on short notice.
“A MAN has been tested for killer bug Ebola in Birmingham — plunging Britain into high alert over the deadly virus.
He was rushed to hospital on Monday after feeling “feverish” on a flight back to the Midlands from Benin, Nigeria, via Paris. “
We must protect those in D.C. at all costs.
Everyone else, breath deeply and suck it up, as they drive fright trains and planes full of people entering your towns and neighborhoods..
Isn’t this how most apocalyptic horror movies start?
Racist!
Seriously, I can't think of a better place to be wiped out by disease.
A flight from Nigeria via Paris to the UK. Hope he tests negative.
government asked to stay home next week? is that paid leave?
did they ask the hotel workers to stay home too? or the guys at the local mcdonalds where the drivers of all these diplomat cars will get their coffee? how about the janitors? no, not them?
for ebola?
shouldn’t Laura Bush stay home, too?
Most apocalyptic horror movies have government leaders saying there's nothing to worry about…
So yes, you're right.
From a connecting flight from Benin.
Hopefully the airplane Patrick Sawyer vomited in and worse was sterilized before it flew any more passengers.
But I doubt it.
What’s with Clown Prince nobama inviting these internationals? Does he just want a larger number of people who will ridicule him and laugh at him?
The White House downplaying of the Ebola threat contradicted State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki who said Monday about the summit, “…we’re taking every precaution…”
A statement from this administration which leaves me
disturbingly uneasy.
Have you seen the new FX TV series, The Strain?
Yes it is. Except this isn’t a movie. And to think that “it can’t happen here” is foolish. Why the hell are they allowing this summit to continue? And each “leader” is bringing a staff of who knows how many? 20? 50? And how many flights does it cover. And visits to cousins in Detroit, or to see the Grand Canyon.
ping
As long as they promise to stay dead and not rise up as some zombie movie ripoff...
Goodie. obama will listen to a bunch of corrupt African leaders who want to send their unwanted children here under the same bogus refugee claims the central American countries are making. With taxpayer provided airfare or course.
The dems are closing down the government??????
Laura Bush???????????
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