Emory Healthcare to treat Ebola patient

Atlanta Journal-Constitution ^ | 31 July 2014 | Misty Williams

[Lazamataz]

Ok. Have fun! I know how this is! :)

[Black Agnes]

I think there’s a huge bureaucracy who depends on a continual funding stream for its existence.

They’ve got all these nice facilities and equipment and they have to justify their use or they might not get funded for them again.

Peter principle reigns at such organizations.

The handling of the anthrax and smallpox samples don’t engender trust and happy feelings.

[Lazamataz]

PS: The smallpox incident was FDA mismanagement, by the way.

The CDC wasn't even involved in that one, except to take possession when informed.

[Black Agnes]

They are BOTH government agencies.

Now, explain the anthrax one.

That’s treatable with antibiotics should it get out in the wild.

[Lazamataz]

Now, explain the anthrax one.

Actually, I didn't explain the other one.

I just clarified so that misstatements were not promulgated. :)

[Black Agnes]

If we can’t trust them with anthrax, which is treatable with antibiotics, why should we trust them with &%^$& ebola?

This guy isn’t infected with the small amount found in a vial or test tube in some level 4 laboratory. He’s literally loaded with enough ebola virus to infect every single human being on earth. For real.

[Veto!]

Unlike many, including some on this thread, I have no problem whatsoever with bringing either of these Americans back for treatment, if they’re up to the trip (which is questionable). Our medical community is completely capable of quarantining them and treating them in isolation.

Good luck with that, Jedidah.

How quickly we forget.

Suggeset you read the following article from August 2012 about the NIH's desperate struggle to stop a superbug that was killing patient after patient in D.C. at their very own "top research hospital:"

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2192260/Contagion-avoided-How-government-gene-sleuths-stopped-superbug-outbreak-died-research-hospital.html

[Jedidah]

I’ve read enough about viral hemorrhagic fevers in the past couple of decades (not to mention Tom Clancy) to realize that we are at risk of pandemic from these awful diseases.

They’re not new, by the way, and Dr. Brantley and Mrs. Writebol will not be the first VHF patients treated in the US — just the first with ebola.

There are multiple deadly VHFs that have killed whole populations. Ebola Reston that arose in the Virginia lab came from the Philippines. Dengue, Lassa, even yellow fever are VHFs. Some historians believe the plagues of the middle ages fall in that class.

We are vulnerable.

That said, bringing two Americans here under isolation and full quarantine, will not only enhance their chances of survival but will also further research into treatment, even possible cures or vaccines. They will be subjects of intense study. Their transport here may well benefit all of mankind.

This might help calm your fears: http://www.foxnews.com/health/2014/08/01/dr-manny-ebola-will-not-be-problem-in-us/

[Black Agnes]

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/08/02/us-usa-healthcare-cdc-idUKKBN0G201A20140802