VP Biden, on NBC's 'Today Show' April 30, told viewers he would tell his family to stay off planes and subways because of fear of infection by swine flu virus. Medical experts were quick to disagree, and his office had to issue a retraction.
Asked whether he'd advise his family against a trip to Mexico, the vice president said: "It's not just going to Mexico, if you're any place in a confined aircraft and one person sneezes it goes all the way through the aircraft. That's me. I would not be at this point, if they had another way of transportation, suggesting they ride the subway."
New York Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, asked about Mr. Biden's remarks at a news conference Thursday morning, declined to criticize the vice president.
"This flu does not seem to be taking over the city and so there's no evidence that being on the subway would, in a confined space, increase dramatically the probability," Mr. Bloomberg said, noting that he rides the subway everyday. "I don't see people coughing or sneezing on the subway. I don't see people complaining."
From NPR: Biden Clarifies Travel Comments: "The clarification was fast in coming" . Video has the original excerpt from the Today Show, and a medical expert refuting the VP's assertions. Also interviewed is NYC Mayor Bloomberg, and Jet Blue representative who was more forthcoming.
Thanks to NYTimes.com's Politics newsletter
FULL STORY: Biden’s Advice to Stay Off Planes, Subways

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie