China Quarantines New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin for H1N1 After Sitting Beside An H1N1-Infected Suspect On Flight to Shanghai

8 June 2009

New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin, his wife and a member of his security detail are now under quarantine in Shanghai, China after they sat near a possibly-H1N1-infected passenger on a flight to Shanghai.  The group was placed under quarantine even though they themselves have not exhibited any symptoms of H1N1.  Mayor Nagin is in China on an economic development trip.

The oftentimes controversial Mayor Ray Nagin became an instant international figure after Typhoon Katrina devastated the American city of New Orleans in 2005. Nagin publicly criticized the US national government for its apparent failure to move quickly to help the people of New Orleans. The nightmarish images of New Orleans under Katrina's savage fury lingered in the American psyche long enough to haunt the Republic Party during the last US presidential elections.

More on Mayor Nagin's H1N1 quarantine in this CNN report:

This is the Wikipedia article on Mayor Clarence Ray Nagin and this a more hospitable biography coming straight from the City of New Orleans official website.

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Viva Los Mexicanos! Viva Mexico! Mexican Pride Projected as AeroMexico Fetches H1N1 Quarantined Mexican Nationals from Shanghai, Beijing and Hongkong

7 May 2009

To beleaguered Mexicans quarantined because of the H1N1 flu virus in parts of China, there is nothing like the site of that big AeroMexico jumbo jet which fetched them for a return flight to Mexico.

Battered but unbowed, the nation of Mexico sent a message to the world by sending that AeroMexico flight to Shanghai, Beijing and China that it will not bear what it sees as discriminatory treatment of its nationals.  

I watched the video clips several times yesterday and I can't help but feel proud as well for our Mexican kinsmen from across the Pacific. Mexico and the Philippines share a common Hispanic history and culture both countries having come under Spanish rule for hundreds of years.

That AeroMexico flight brought back proud memories of Cinco de Mayo, the sensational victory by a "ragtag band" of Mexicans against a numerically-superior French army in the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.  Here is Cinco de Mayo in the words of US President Barack Obama as narrated to us by Jackie May:

And here are Barack Obama’s remarks at a White House Cinco de Mayo event:

THE PRESIDENT:  Hello.  Gracias.

AUDIENCE:  Bienvenidos.

THE PRESIDENT:  Bienvenidos.  Welcome to Cinco de Cuatro — (laughter) — Cinco de Mayo at the White House.  We are a day early, but we always like to get a head start here at the Obama White House.

Cinco de Mayo marks a singular moment in Mexican history.  Nearly 150 years ago, a ragtag band of soldiers and citizens, badly outnumbered and facing impossible odds, held their ground on a muddy hill to defend their nation from what was at the time the most fearsome fighting force in the world.  That decisive victory at what became known as the Battle of Puebla ignited a pride in country and culture that Mexican Americans feel to this day.

And tomorrow, on both sides of our border, we’ll pay tribute to our shared heritage by celebrating with friends and family, with love and laughter.  We’ll remember that America is a richer and more vibrant place thanks to the contributions of Mexican Americans — (applause) –

The full text of President Obama's remarks on Cinco de Mayo is at Jackie May's Minor Matters.

Viva Mexico!  Viva Los Mexicanos!

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