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One of the most disgraceful political exercises in the last 50 years (maybe forever) is the attempt of the Republicans to use the public's panic about Ebola for gain. Have they at last no decency? It is not merely turning the topic into an instant campaign commercial that is the worst offense, it is trying to fan the flames of fear in order to use the issue to maximum advantage. (Rand Paul, I mean YOU.)
99% of the American public was grossly ignorant of Ebola. My guess would be that 60 to 90% had no awareness of the existence of the disease. Hey, that was waaay over there, what should we care? NOW, we do. This is not to say that deep concern and intense awareness of the dangers are not necessary. The basic outlines of how Ebola spreads and how it kills are well known, but I have detected, with careful reading, that there is enough NOT known for concern.
1. How long do the microbes live on surfaces? (One recent report said two to four hours, but I have seen no confirmation about this potential.)
2. While it can't be caught by casual contact, what about droplets of sneezing, which can float for up to 45 minutes after expulsion? (The dominant answer is that it does not travel in droplets sneezed into the air, but I am still searching for absolute confirmation of this. Merely passing by someone who is infected is not likely to spread the disease unless there is further contact with what are euphemistically called “bodily fluids”, meaning vomit, blood, sweat (through close contact with the skin of an infected person through shaking hands, hugging closely, etc.) and contact with other bodily products, such as excrement. Sneezing does not spread the disease, but I have been unable to find an answer indicating that this is absolutely not possible. It could depend on the level of microbes of the disease in droplets, a level that increases as the disease progresses in the body.)
3. Why does the disease appear to mysteriously retreat after a period of time? Is it, in fact, a direct result of control measures or something inherent in Ebola?
4. Is there a completely safe method of removing protective garments and equipment for care givers? (No.)
5. Do we have a comprehensive, all inclusive plan for a major outbreak here? Does the plan have enough details and are enough hospitals ready? (No.)
THE FUNDAMENTAL PROBLEM is the doctors and scientists don’t want to talk about what they don’t know. They want to reassure and sometimes that is one of the worst strategies, because the public is at least smart enough to see around the edges of what they are saying, particularly when statements are later proved to be deadly wrong. Right now, this is a crisis of confidence in America, a crisis of public health in west Africa. Helping to create a panic here could make things worse and cause people to hide out if they get the disease or to take radical actions, like closing schools and stores, when there is the slightest indication that there might be a problem.
The country needs leadership. It needs a president who will come along and not only deal with the problem, but make it clear to the public that he is doing so.
Doug Terry, 10.23,14
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