Press Release

Patterson Outraged at ABC Movie on Avian Flu

May 2, 2006 Letter to Channel 7

Pontiac, MI, May 4, 2006 Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson today sent a letter to WXYZ - TV Channel 7 Vice President and General Manager Grace Gilchrest protesting the scheduled airing of "Fatal Contact: Bird Flu in America" on May 9th.

In his letter, Patterson writes that the made-for-TV movie is "nothing more than a shallow, demagogic attempt to boost ratings at the expense of truth and common sense."

Patterson is asking Channel 7 to run a disclaimer after each commercial break which identifies the movie as "an extreme Hollywood depiction of an unlikely event that has been produced for entertainment value only.  There is no immediate health threat."

Patterson goes on to write that "now is the time for preparation, not panic. Families, schools and businesses should begin developing emergency preparedness plans that can be implemented in the event of any health emergency, including avian flu."

The full text of Patterson's letter is available above for download.

For media inquiries only, please contact Bob Dustman, Media and Communications Officer at (248) 858-1048.

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