Rep. Dr. Rob Schaaf, R-St. Joseph, thanked his critics and continued to advise school groups to avoid the Capitol on Friday.

Dr. Schaaf on Thursday wore a face mask on the Missouri House of Representatives floor while asking lawmakers to practice cough etiquette to prevent the spread of swine flu.

On Friday afternoon, Dr. Schaaf backed his comments in a statement to media despite criticism from fellow Republican Rep. Jason Brown for being “insensitive.” Mr. Brown represents Platte County, the origin of Missouri’s first confirmed case of swine flu.

The following is Dr. Schaaf’s statement in its entirety.

Dr. Schaaf wrote, “Yesterday, to draw attention to the danger of swine flu, I wore a face mask onto the House floor. I then stressed the importance of cough etiquette, and recommended that groups of school children not come to the Capitol during these last two weeks of session. Children visiting from all over the state pack into our hallways and could potentially expose each other, then spread the illness as they return home.

“(On Wednesday), the World Health Organization raised the pandemic alert from phase 4 to 5, and today it reports that the virus has spread to 11 countries and 19 states. The exponential spread will continue, and already Missouri cases are suspected.

“Today I again suggest that schools avoid Capitol field trips. This outbreak is no joke, and while I am appalled that my opponents bashed me for wearing the mask, I am pleased that the story was carried by so many news outlets across the state. I doubt my remarks would have received such coverage without the mask, nor without the bashing. But if having worn it helps prevent even one flu case through higher awareness, I would thank those who bashed me. I could not have done it without them.”