I'm more worried about the Ebola outbreak than I am by the Ukraine and Gaza situations combined. Possibly flammable, but you can't issue a ceasefire or encourage diplomacy with an epidemic. You just try like hell to contain it.
I know. My boyfriend is moving back to W Africa next week, so I was a little bit worried, but luckily it's not in his country now. Hopefully it stays that way when I go to visit.
It is promising that the mortality rate is lower than usual outbreaks and hopefully they can get ahead of the outbreak. Public health is so complicated, ugh. Trying to think positively.
Post by tacoflavoredkisses on Jul 30, 2014 16:06:20 GMT -5
What concerns me about the Ebola outbreak is the dipshits on TV here in the US saying there isn't cause for concern. My H had CNN on last night and some scientist/doctor douche was on saying it isn't a major concern for the US. And I was shocked. Of course it is. We may be able to treat it faster, but of COURSE it's a concern. It's a concern for everyone.
Post by liverandonions on Jul 30, 2014 16:46:11 GMT -5
I got really freaked out about when I read about the doctor dying yesterday. I don't usually get too worried about this stuff, but this disease is insane. And that chart above doesn't help.
Correct me if I am wrong but didn't a little girl get some kind of Ebola from the a US lake or river recently? It entered through her ears because she was swimming a lot on a family vacation? I hope I have this wrong because that scares the shit out of me.
The infrastructure is so bad that the people assisting with the outbreak are unable to do the contact tracing needed to keep the outbreak from spreading. So people who were exposed to a case aren't placed in quarantine and are spreading it to others.
Correct me if I am wrong but didn't a little girl get some kind of Ebola from the a US lake or river recently? It entered through her ears because she was swimming a lot on a family vacation? I hope I have this wrong because that scares the shit out of me.
Correct me if I am wrong but didn't a little girl get some kind of Ebola from the a US lake or river recently? It entered through her ears because she was swimming a lot on a family vacation? I hope I have this wrong because that scares the shit out of me.
I was reading an article on how it COULD come here but how quickly it would be contained due to the structure of our health system, trust in doctors, etc.. This however does nothing to sway my fear as we are leaving on an international flight in 28 days.
Honestly, I'm not worried and I had panic attacks while reading The Hot Zone. Yes, it could very well come here. However, the rate of transmission from casual contact is extremely low. Unless you get bodily fluids directly into your mucous membranes, you're not at that much risk. Also, we have amazing, cheap, clean running water, which means we can wash our hands as often as we like! That in and of itself, is a HUGE factor. We have state-of-the-art medical facilities, even in remote areas (compared to bush/field hospitals). We have access to proper isolation protocols, infectious disease research, and a well-maintained communication system to keep everyone abreast of the latest information. We also have the money to discard tainted items properly, instead of decontaminating and reusing them. Our disposal of dead persons is also MUCH better and safer than those in less wealthy countries.
Yes, an outbreak could occur. Is it likely? No. Does it have real potential to go widespread? Not really. Just maintain healthy habits.
Post by bohemianmango on Jul 30, 2014 18:04:24 GMT -5
My friend is on a mission in Sierra Leone. She just posted that she's being forced to come back to the US. She just got married there so it's still unclear what going to happen to her husband. I'm so worried for both of them and everyone there.
Honestly, I'm not worried and I had panic attacks while reading The Hot Zone. Yes, it could very well come here. However, the rate of transmission from casual contact is extremely low. Unless you get bodily fluids directly into your mucous membranes, you're not at that much risk. Also, we have amazing, cheap, clean running water, which means we can wash our hands as often as we like! That in and of itself, is a HUGE factor. We have state-of-the-art medical facilities, even in remote areas (compared to bush/field hospitals). We have access to proper isolation protocols, infectious disease research, and a well-maintained communication system to keep everyone abreast of the latest information. We also have the money to discard tainted items properly, instead of decontaminating and reusing them. Our disposal of dead persons is also MUCH better and safer than those in less wealthy countries.
Yes, an outbreak could occur. Is it likely? No. Does it have real potential to go widespread? Not really. Just maintain healthy habits.
I freaking loved that book. The monkey house that is at the center of the book is very close to the HS I went to. And it's a daycare facility now.
It is sad and I think it could come here, but it wouldn't turn into an epidemic in the US due to our quarantine strategy/powers unless the virus mutates.
Honestly, I'm not worried and I had panic attacks while reading The Hot Zone. Yes, it could very well come here. However, the rate of transmission from casual contact is extremely low. Unless you get bodily fluids directly into your mucous membranes, you're not at that much risk. Also, we have amazing, cheap, clean running water, which means we can wash our hands as often as we like! That in and of itself, is a HUGE factor. We have state-of-the-art medical facilities, even in remote areas (compared to bush/field hospitals). We have access to proper isolation protocols, infectious disease research, and a well-maintained communication system to keep everyone abreast of the latest information. We also have the money to discard tainted items properly, instead of decontaminating and reusing them. Our disposal of dead persons is also MUCH better and safer than those in less wealthy countries.
Yes, an outbreak could occur. Is it likely? No. Does it have real potential to go widespread? Not really. Just maintain healthy habits.
I freaking loved that book. The monkey house that is at the center of the book is very close to the HS I went to. And it's a daycare facility now.
It is sad and I think it could come here, but it wouldn't turn into an epidemic in the US due to our quarantine strategy/powers unless the virus mutates.
Which ebola is pretty good at doing.
Woah! It's a DAYCARE now?! That's crazy! Ebola-infested monkey house to daycare? Not the most logical next step...
I'm not worried about it coming here. I'm worried about the people in Africa losing their families, and I am petrified of an outbreak in Lagos which is where FI's family is.
I am scared of it coming here. I am scared of it going everywhere and/or not being contained ASAP. It scares me that it is in more populated cities vs rural areas. It scares me how connected we all are. It scares me that the guy collapsed at an airport in Lagos. It scares me that the American doctors family came back here just prior to him being symptomatic.
I know I am a healthcare worker and all that crap, but I will take a trip to costco and then lock myself and my family in my house forever.
I don't understand why people think it couldn't come here when the guy who collapsed in the Nigerian airport (and then died) had a ticket to Minnesota three weeks from now to visit his wife and three daughters.
I don't think anyone is saying it can't come here. I think they are saying that the chance of a wide spread epidemic here isn't likely to happen.
I don't understand why people think it couldn't come here when the guy who collapsed in the Nigerian airport (and then died) had a ticket to Minnesota three weeks from now to visit his wife and three daughters.
That guy lived in Minnesota. He was visiting his sister, who he thought had malaria. ETA - Sorry, I guess he was currently living and working in Africa, but he and his family are naturalized citizens.
I don't think any of us are saying we're not worried it could come here. We're saying we have much better infrastructure here and better medical facilities.
But I wanted to clarify that I'm mostly worried right now for the people of West Africa, and indeed the rest of the continent. A lot of aid agencies are pulling their people, and rightfully so. This outbreak is absolutely out of control and it's terrifying me not because I'm worried it will come here (although it could and if it did, then I would proceed to freak the fuck out) but because of what it means for the people there.
I don't understand why people think it couldn't come here when the guy who collapsed in the Nigerian airport (and then died) had a ticket to Minnesota three weeks from now to visit his wife and three daughters.
That guy lived in Minnesota. He was visiting his sister, who he thought had malaria. ETA - Sorry, I guess he was currently living and working in Africa, but he and his family are naturalized citizens.
I don't think any of us are saying we're not worried it could come here. We're saying we have much better infrastructure here and better medical facilities.
But I wanted to clarify that I'm mostly worried right now for the people of West Africa, and indeed the rest of the continent. A lot of aid agencies are pulling their people, and rightfully so. This outbreak is absolutely out of control and it's terrifying me not because I'm worried it will come here (although it could and if it did, then I would proceed to freak the fuck out) but because of what it means for the people there.
This is why I was so taken aback by the guy on TV last night. His commentary was basically that this is NBD and not something to be concerned about. How?!
They can get much better care here and they will be isolated so others can't get it.
Yep, its good for them.
(and I am in Seattle so ATL is on its own.)
I know you're joking, but just in case - this really this is okay. It's not an airborne illness. They're going to take every precaution to make sure it doesn't spread.
Post by thecatinthehat on Jul 31, 2014 19:44:51 GMT -5
I just found out on FB today that my friend's husband who works for the UN is in LIberia. But the UN won't let him leave his staff, he wants to leave OMG!