President Obama has declared the H1N1 flu a national emergency. The H1N1 has claimed more than 1,000 American lives, which includes 100 children. 46 states are reporting widespread flu activity. This declaration will allow public health agencies as well as doctors and hospitals to bypass certain federal requirements allowing healthcare facilities to immediately implement emergency operational plans. This includes the creation of alternate care locations including offsite hospital centers at schools or community centers to improve the treatment and protect non-infected patients.

This is the second such declaration since the flu first emerged last spring when Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano declared a public health emergency which freed up supplies of Tamiflu and Relenza from the national stockpile.

At least one extraordinary step was announced yesterday. The FDA gave permission for the use of the investigational antiviral Peramivir to treat patients who are critically ill with H1N1.