Posted on 04/18/2006 9:31:33 AM PDT by NativeNewYorker
BALTIMORE, April 18 (UPI) -- Some 46.2 percent of Maryland public health workers say they likely would not report for work if there were a pandemic flu outbreak, a study concludes.
Those who would stay home rather than report to their public health jobs are primarily clerical and support staff members who do not consider their roles crucial in fighting a flu outbreak, the study by John Hopkins and Ben-Gurion universities concludes.
"The people who answer the telephones are on the front lines of risk communication," study co-author Daniel Barnett told USA Today.
Health officials need to make it clear that all employees would be needed during such a public crisis, researchers said.
The study of 308 public health workers in Maryland will be expanded to other areas of the United States, the team said.
The study was published in the online journal BMC Public Health.
Other surveys have indicated a similar willingness to abandon posts.
Everyone will be on their own for this one.
Curiosity prompts me to question what is the make up of these "PUBLIC" health workers?
Sounds like the phenomenon, of public servants abandoning their posts, won't be limited to New Orleans policemen.
It's depressing. We've been thoroughly cretinized, or so it would appear. Everybody will be running around, crying "somebody DO something," the next time we're faced with disaster, whether it's natural or manmade, with nary a clue that "somebody" has become just as irresponsible as everybody else has become.
If it happens, it will be the bluest of the blue flu's ever.
well...i can't say that I blame them. This is their "job" which i'm sure is important but it sure doesn't trump staying alive and raising your children/or not spreading it to your kids.
Any woman worth her salt wouldn't choose orphaning her kids to go to work.
"Any woman worth her salt wouldn't choose orphaning her kids to go to work."
Your logic is very retro, and completely undermines the notion of women being employed in certain capacities.
Do you really mean to imply that women should not be employed in public health and safety?
Very disingenuous of any health care worker, male or female, to accept a Public Health position without an absolute resolve to remain on post. I'm glad most Public Health professionals aren't there just for sunny days. Any that are should surrender their jobs and their salaries NOW.
This isn't exactly shocking. When the anthrax attacks were going on, most of Congress instantly headed for the hills.
"Do you really mean to imply that women should not be employed in public health and safety?"
There's a reason women have traditionally been discouraged from dangerous occupations: motherhood is more important.
As a 20 year RN this year, I could tell you the make up of such personnel, but JRobinson would have to kick me off for being too politically incorrect, even for this forum.
The RN's would stick it out, most of us seem to have immune systems made of no stick teflon(save for the smokers)...but knowing the psychology of the secretaries and janitorial staff and other support staff...well lets just say a lot of the paper work just won't get done in favor of caring for the patients.
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