Bush Outlines $7.1B Flu-Fighting Strategy

AP ^ | 11/1/05 | LAURAN NEERGAARD

[DManA]

Hey Bush. You want ANOTHER $7 billion? How about an accounting for the $TRILLIONS the Federal Government is already spending on health programs. Apparently we getting NOTHING for tidal wave of tax dollars.

[reformedliberal]

They would do more than impose quarantine.


If people are quarantined, all transport and commerce will stop or slow. A disciplined force can be counted upon to observe their own quarantine rules. Food parcels would have to be distributed and in such a manner as to minimize any contamination. If someone needed to be airlifted to a facility for a non-flu-related injury or illness, that too would have to be done by people capable of maintaining sterile procedures. If the government is going to provide anti-virals, they have to get to the people and not be purchased in quantity by resellers.

I live in rural area that was very nervous about Foot and Mouth Disease back when Britain was making all those cattle pyres. I know the vet who was responsible for the potential quarantine in this area. Even though that was not a zoonotic disease, the object was to isolate any human on the farm who could carry it. Non-living exports from an infected farm are also quarantined, as they could carry the virus (fomites).

Like Gabz, I can worry about an animal virus because economically it would devastate any area and industry it infected. But people who come into contact with those animals can carry it to other animals, so people could be under martial law and effective quarantine if this virus gets loose in the US, even if it doesn't transmit human-to-human.

I imagine city dwellers wouldn't notice much and those of us not in a bird producing area might not, but I wonder about wild turkeys as a vector/host, not to mention the effect on the hunting industry. It might also affect the egg industry.Ironically, eggs are used to produce vaccines, which may be why GWB is pushing other production methods. The poultry culls I am seeing on TV don't look as dire as the cattle culls did, but chickens are easier to incinerate in quantity.

I lived thru Asian Flu and Hong Kong Flu and no one I knew died. I recall experiencing HK Flu as just a normal flu...crummy, but not terrible, but I was a lot younger, then. I don't recall anyone wearing face masks, either. We had no anti-virals and I don't recall when flu vaccines became available. Anecdote isn't data, but given enough anecdote, one can construct a reasoned opinion.

[WatchingInAmazement]

More often than not many of the viruses are brought in by the invaders. So, what do you do as the President? You let the invaders in and then treat the diseases they bring along with them - iow, you treat the symptom, not the cause.

There! Thank you for saying it so well. That is the mo our entire government seems to be functioning under.

[Gabz]

Like Gabz, I can worry about an animal virus because economically it would devastate any area and industry it infected. But people who come into contact with those animals can carry it to other animals, so people could be under martial law and effective quarantine if this virus gets loose in the US, even if it doesn't transmit human-to-human.

Your point about martial law is well noted. Under the plans I am aware of in this region, that is the absolute last resort.....of course that is also only local and state - I've got no clue what would happen if the feds took it over.

I can only hope with a preparedness plan such as I know is here, the Feds will follow that and leave us all the heck alone.

[Gabz]

More often than not many of the viruses are brought in by the invaders.

You're right.

So, what do you do as the President?

Not a whole heck of a lot when the invaders have wings and fly.

[Gabz]

There! Thank you for saying it so well. That is the mo our entire government seems to be functioning under

You have no clue what you are talking about. When (there will be a when) this bug arrives in the US it will be air borne (birds or airplanes) not ground borne.

[Gabz]

What in (pick one)'s name are you talking about?

[dljordan]

Read this = http://money.cnn.com/2005/10/31/news/newsmakers/fortune_rumsfeld/