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Post by SenorCrest on Oct 16, 2014 18:07:43 GMT -5
WWE should get in on this. Do an ongoing storyline where a mutant strain of Ebola is sweeping through the roster. One episode of RAW will end with John Cena dropping to the mat, convulsing, then getting up and looking at the camera with blood red eyes. Cole will saying "Oh my god, Cena is infected!!!" A week later, Cena will be fine. Hell in a Cell is in Dallas this year...
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Post by Red Impact on Oct 16, 2014 18:21:38 GMT -5
More people will die from the Flu than Ebola this year. The survival rate of the flu is much, much, much higher than the survival rate of ebola though, as the flu is really only a threat to certain populations. But anyone catching Ebola is at risk of death. So the concern about it is pretty well grounded as more and more cases begin to get reported.
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Post by Mighty Attack Tribble on Oct 16, 2014 18:27:29 GMT -5
9,000 documented infections with 5,000 deaths, with estimations there could be up to 2.5x more undocumented cases. An expected rise of new weekly infections from 1,000 to 10,000 by December. A horrific 71% fatality rate (which is why a disease such as Ebola is so much more threatening than something like the flu). A CDC and medical facilities which have made multiple egregious errors, showing a clear lack of preparation. At this point, if you're not at least slightly concerned, you're either not paying attention, or you're foolishly and carelessly arrogant. What you overlook is that the overwhelming majority of cases are happening in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea, in areas of extreme poverty with little to no access to clean water, soap, medicine, and poor access to information on how to avoid infection, as well as cultural practices that involve direct physical contact with infected bodies. Should we be concerned? Of course, but we must be realistic too.
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Dr. T is an alien
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Post by Dr. T is an alien on Oct 16, 2014 18:37:13 GMT -5
9,000 documented infections with 5,000 deaths, with estimations there could be up to 2.5x more undocumented cases. An expected rise of new weekly infections from 1,000 to 10,000 by December. A horrific 71% fatality rate (which is why a disease such as Ebola is so much more threatening than something like the flu). A CDC and medical facilities which have made multiple egregious errors, showing a clear lack of preparation. At this point, if you're not at least slightly concerned, you're either not paying attention, or you're foolishly and carelessly arrogant. Again, the high fatality rate is more of a product of the level of health care in the afflicted regions than the disease itself. Can it kill you? Damned right it can! Can it kill even healthy people? You better believe it! Can it even kill people in a Western nation? It just did! Can it spread just as easily here as it does in Africa? Well, that is a loaded question. It does not really spread that well even in Africa, all things considered. Considering that even in Africa most people who get infected were caring for someone who was infected, either as a healthcare provider or simply helping out a sick relative, then one can make some arguments in that direction. However, we have access to the proper equipment and training to deal with the disease here to limit its spread. Can we hope to contain it? Hell, one African nation has already done a pretty good job of it and they don't have even a portion of the resources we have. Nigeria took the threat seriously, had a plan in place to implement when it showed up in their nation, contained the disease, and kept track of an astounding number of exposed individuals in order to start treatment the instant they showed any symptoms. This included allocating the funds needed to make over 18,000 house visits to exposed individuals to track their health. Can it be just as high a mortality rate here as in Africa? It sort of already doesn't, nor would it be likely to. In the past year alone 5 Americans who were infected were brought back for treatment and at least 3 of them have been announced as being completely cured (I don't know about the other two, but I think the guy from NBC is still being treated). On top of that, there are the three cases from Texas. Currently, we are looking at a 12.5% mortality rate, where the only one who died was the guy who was misdiagnosed and not properly treated until he was too sick to cure. As I pointed out in a previous post, Ebola is related to Marburg virus, another hemorrhagic fever causing agent. When it infects people in Africa, the mortality rate is similar to that of Ebola. When it infected people elsewhere (it is called Marburg because it first showed up in Marburg, Germany in the 1960's and hit other cities in Germany and Yugoslavia. Despite Western medicine being nowhere near as capable as it is now, the mortality rate of those epidemics were much lower than later epidemics of the disease in Africa. Since Ebola has, for the most part, been limited to Africa, its obscene mortality rate should be seen partially a product of African healthcare in general. After all, mortality rates for many diseases are much, much higher in Africa. In short, should you care or be concerned? Sure. Should you panic? Ready your fallout shelter to weather the epidemic? Set your hair on fire and run around screaming about how the aliens are committing germ warfare on all of us to ensure that it is easier to take over? No, no, and maybe (though the hair on fire probably cannot help in any way).
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Post by Red Impact on Oct 16, 2014 18:38:53 GMT -5
9,000 documented infections with 5,000 deaths, with estimations there could be up to 2.5x more undocumented cases. An expected rise of new weekly infections from 1,000 to 10,000 by December. A horrific 71% fatality rate (which is why a disease such as Ebola is so much more threatening than something like the flu). A CDC and medical facilities which have made multiple egregious errors, showing a clear lack of preparation. At this point, if you're not at least slightly concerned, you're either not paying attention, or you're foolishly and carelessly arrogant. What you overlook is that the overwhelming majority of cases are happening in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea, in areas of extreme poverty with little to no access to clean water, soap, medicine, and poor access to information on how to avoid infection, as well as cultural practices that involve direct physical contact with infected bodies. Should we be concerned? Of course, but we must be realistic too. We should be realistic, obviously, but we should also realize that most US hospitals are not well equipped to deal with an outbreak like that, and that infectious diseases are regularly spread throughout the country, especially in hospitals, even if they take great precautions. It's certainly not going to temper the danger by comparing it to something that is so regularly survived. It's a much more dangerous condition, even with western medicine, and anything that approaches a death rate of above 1% should bring great pause. We can't really afford to be arrogant about it, because that's what spreads diseases like it.
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Post by Mighty Attack Tribble on Oct 16, 2014 18:57:46 GMT -5
What you overlook is that the overwhelming majority of cases are happening in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea, in areas of extreme poverty with little to no access to clean water, soap, medicine, and poor access to information on how to avoid infection, as well as cultural practices that involve direct physical contact with infected bodies. Should we be concerned? Of course, but we must be realistic too. We should be realistic, obviously, but we should also realize that most US hospitals are not well equipped to deal with an outbreak like that, and that infectious diseases are regularly spread throughout the country, especially in hospitals, even if they take great precautions. It's certainly not going to temper the danger by comparing it to something that is so regularly survived. It's a much more dangerous condition, even with western medicine, and anything that approaches a death rate of above 1% should bring great pause. We can't really afford to be arrogant about it, because that's what spreads diseases like it. Oh believe me I have no argument there; complacency is a disease's best friend. All I'm saying is right now there is no evidence to believe that the epidemic will reach the same numbers outside of West Africa. That could change, of course, and we obviously have to be prepared.
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Post by Red Impact on Oct 16, 2014 19:17:22 GMT -5
We should be realistic, obviously, but we should also realize that most US hospitals are not well equipped to deal with an outbreak like that, and that infectious diseases are regularly spread throughout the country, especially in hospitals, even if they take great precautions. It's certainly not going to temper the danger by comparing it to something that is so regularly survived. It's a much more dangerous condition, even with western medicine, and anything that approaches a death rate of above 1% should bring great pause. We can't really afford to be arrogant about it, because that's what spreads diseases like it. Oh believe me I have no argument there; complacency is a disease's best friend. All I'm saying is right now there is no evidence to believe that the epidemic will reach the same numbers outside of West Africa. That could change, of course, and we obviously have to be prepared. I agree that it's unlikely to reach that level of course, I just think the undermining of how much of a threat Ebola is is a bit premature at this point. All it takes to have it be a serious outbreak risk is for some overtaxed emergency room nurse to misdiagnose a cough and for them to take a flight. There's a good middle ground between the media's over-hype and the comparison to the flu.
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Dr. T is an alien
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Post by Dr. T is an alien on Oct 16, 2014 19:39:27 GMT -5
I saw something funny in today's local paper. On the editorial page there is a readers response feature. This week's question was, "How concerned are you now that Ebola has shown up in the United States?" There were a few reasonable responses, several uninformed and panicked responses, and a handful of responses blaming Obama.
My favorite? This gem:
"It proves that vaccination is a scam. I'm taking my kids to the pediatrician and demanding that she undo the vaccines she's already administered!!!"
I don't know if that is the single dumbest thing I have ever read or if that is the most perfect piece of biting satire I have ever read. Either way, it is beautiful.
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mo
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Post by mo on Oct 16, 2014 20:18:59 GMT -5
Had a scare here in Amarillo yesterday, locked down part of the hospital for a bit only for it to be nothing at all! Looks like Lubbock has it's own Ebola scare going on right now that's looking like it's nothing.
I'm pretty sure that's gonna be the trend here in Texas for a bit.
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Post by tonymorrisonphd on Oct 16, 2014 20:39:31 GMT -5
I've had a friend on facebook freaking out about it. Including a great rant from others about Obama's plot to bring ebola to the country and something about fema camps. It was insane and would have been funny, except they actually believed it. While I don't believe there's any government conspiracy, I have no doubts that there are more than a few population-control-obsessed environmentalist nutjobs who would be more than welcoming of a worldwide pandemic. These people not only deny human exceptionalism, which is alarming in itself, they take it to the extreme by believing humanity to be virus on the planet. That these whackaloons often hold positions of authority in universities, where they can spread their inane views to impressionable students, is, to me, far more scary than any Ebola outbreak.
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Post by Mayonnaise on Oct 16, 2014 20:43:35 GMT -5
The county I live in is now "under attack" as a nurse from one of the schools was on the plane that patient 2 was on. So far I've only been told I need to make peace with the Lord twice and prepare to die twice. Also had one person claim she was filing suit against the government for giving us all airborne Ebola. The thoughts I have had in response to these would necessitate banning myself should I post them here. I honestly wish I was in Dallas than the deep sticks like I am.
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Post by Clash, Never a Meter Maid on Oct 16, 2014 21:32:34 GMT -5
WWE should get in on this. Do an ongoing storyline where a mutant strain of Ebola is sweeping through the roster. One episode of RAW will end with John Cena dropping to the mat, convulsing, then getting up and looking at the camera with blood red eyes. Cole will saying "Oh my god, Cena is infected!!!" A week later, Cena will be fine. As he should be.
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StuntGranny®
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Post by StuntGranny® on Oct 16, 2014 23:39:44 GMT -5
Had a scare here in Amarillo yesterday, locked down part of the hospital for a bit only for it to be nothing at all! Looks like Lubbock has it's own Ebola scare going on right now that's looking like it's nothing. I'm pretty sure that's gonna be the trend here in Texas for a bit. That's going to be the trend everywhere until this dies down and everyone moves on to the next big fear. It's ridiculous how the media is reporting on every little 'scare' that happens. Every cough, sneeze, and upset stomach is now automatically going to be associated with an Ebola outbreak. It's extremely irresponsible how the media is stirring this up right before flu and cold season. I get that this is an extremely deadly virus and it's something everyone should be aware of. But when you're pushing the panic button just to get clicks/ratings and votes like various members of the media and politicians are doing, you're being extremely irresponsible. Shepard Smith had an outstanding 'rant' about the fear mongering in the media over this, if anyone feels so inclined to check that out.
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kidglov3s
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Post by kidglov3s on Oct 17, 2014 5:23:15 GMT -5
We should be realistic, obviously, but we should also realize that most US hospitals are not well equipped to deal with an outbreak like that, and that infectious diseases are regularly spread throughout the country, especially in hospitals, even if they take great precautions. Hospitals do disaster drills all the time, and infection prevention/sterile technique is a central focus for pretty much everyone. I don't feel you're giving us healthcare professionals in the United States proper credit. (pretty grateful I work on an ortho floor right now, though, not for the risk of getting ebola so much as the scrutiny and criticisms)
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Post by Red Impact on Oct 17, 2014 6:08:13 GMT -5
We should be realistic, obviously, but we should also realize that most US hospitals are not well equipped to deal with an outbreak like that, and that infectious diseases are regularly spread throughout the country, especially in hospitals, even if they take great precautions. Hospitals do disaster drills all the time, and infection prevention/sterile technique is a central focus for pretty much everyone. I don't feel you're giving us healthcare professionals in the United States proper credit. (pretty grateful I work on an ortho floor right now, though, not for the risk of getting ebola so much as the scrutiny and criticisms) Honestly, it's beause I'm in the healthcare world that I say it. Yeah, there's safety training and drills, they did those in Dallas too, but the nature of US hospitals makes it extremely hard to control disease spread, and I think the situation in Dallas is a lot closer to normal than most would care to admit. We are lucky in that we believe Ebola is a lot harder to catch than a lot of illnesses, but were an outbreak to happen, hospitas in the US would be really ill-equipped to handle it.
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Dr. T is an alien
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Post by Dr. T is an alien on Oct 17, 2014 10:26:52 GMT -5
Hospitals do disaster drills all the time, and infection prevention/sterile technique is a central focus for pretty much everyone. I don't feel you're giving us healthcare professionals in the United States proper credit. (pretty grateful I work on an ortho floor right now, though, not for the risk of getting ebola so much as the scrutiny and criticisms) Honestly, it's beause I'm in the healthcare world that I say it. Yeah, there's safety training and drills, they did those in Dallas too, but the nature of US hospitals makes it extremely hard to control disease spread, and I think the situation in Dallas is a lot closer to normal than most would care to admit. We are lucky in that we believe Ebola is a lot harder to catch than a lot of illnesses, but were an outbreak to happen, hospitas in the US would be really ill-equipped to handle it. They should not be, but they are. I suppose that will change over time as complacency gets stamped out of the health care system, at least in regards to this disease. I still say a bigger disaster is looming in Dengue Fever, and we are far less equipped to to deal with that.
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khali
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Post by khali on Oct 17, 2014 12:15:52 GMT -5
A scare on my local news today:
"Three people in Pennsylvania may have been exposed to ebola!"
They then go in to explain that they show no signs of being sick. And although they are FROM Pennsylvania, they are IN Texas. Pretty cheap way to generate a scare, especially if someone only heard the first part of the story.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 17, 2014 14:19:35 GMT -5
Trending on Facebook:
"Arik Air: Passenger dies in seat after vomiting on flight from Nigeria to New York City; Ebola not suspected."
Whew. Nothing to worry about here, then. If it's not Ebola, then no disease could make a man vomit profusely and then die.
Onto other things! Huzzah!
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Post by xCompackx on Oct 17, 2014 14:59:57 GMT -5
This entire thread is my justification to both not watching the news and not reading the newspaper. Sure I'll go on Yahoo and read the headlines, but this entire Ebola thing should be proof to everyone that most forms of news these days are unreliable and care more about ratings/views than actual reporting. Yeah, Ebola is dangerous and terrifying, but it's not like it's the first time a dangerous and terrifying disease has been out there. Whether it's Ebola, HIV/AIDS, Cancer, Tuberculosis, Polio, Small Pox, West Nile Virus, or even the Flu, the chance is always there to get sick and trying to create a panic is just about the most irresponsible and damaging thing you could do in a time like this.
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Post by mcmahonfan85 on Oct 17, 2014 15:16:30 GMT -5
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