A link to this thread has been posted on the Ebola Surveillance Thread
Not good.
Tick Tock.
No worries, the resident Ebola experts will be along shortly to explain to you why there is nothing to fear!
Not to worry, Gals & Guys. WHO says that “up to 20,000 will die.” I understand that the virus magically turns itself off when the total number of deaths surpass that upper limit. Carry on.
bumping.. spread rate map at page end at link
A 90% (fatality rate) of 1.2 million is 1.08 million.
And Obama has left the doors open to the country so anyone who wants in can come in.
What could happen?
Stop commercial flights now!
You might want to keep in mind a couple of important 1st world epidemic responses. (Containers with disinfectant solutions for hand washing is actually a really good idea for a 3rd or 4th world nation.)
1) Many US businesses are already becoming epidemic aware, in small ways, like providing wipes for shopping cart handles, and having hand sanitizer about. The “upgrade” to this is not particularly unusual, just setting up a hand sanitizer stand at the main entrance, as well as providing complementary ear-loop masks.
(Importantly, ear-loop masks are not designed to keep pathogens out, but to keep pathogens in. Think surgery. If you want to keep pathogens out, you need an N95 mask.)
2) A huge advantage the US has is its communication system. In a full blown epidemic, even small towns could create robo-call telephone banks, to systematically dial every number in the area at intervals, to provide quality information, but also to solicit needs for supplies and emergencies. It optimizes logistics and emergency services, and provides “health and welfare” checks.
Bring Out Your Dead
Post to me or FReep mail to be on/off the Bring Out Your Dead ping list.
The purpose of the “Bring Out Your Dead” ping list (formerly the “Ebola” ping list) is very early warning of emerging pandemics, as such it has a high false positive rate.
So far the false positive rate is 100%.
At some point we may well have a high mortality pandemic, and likely as not the “Bring Out Your Dead” threads will miss the beginning entirely.
*sigh* Such is life, and death...