| Author |
Message |
    
Bettina
Citizen
Username: Bettina
Post Number: 31
Registered: 8-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, February 24, 2005 - 10:35 am: | 
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Is anyone else alarmed about the news of the possible Avian Flu pandemic? |
C Bataille
Citizen
Username: Nakaille
Post Number: 1865
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, February 24, 2005 - 10:56 am: |
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Yes, but other than monitoring CDC info I don't think there's much I can do about it yet. I understand that they're working on vaccines and I'm hoping for the best. After that I just shove it to the back of my list of things to worry about. Whether I'm going to catch the regular flu (despite being vaccinated) from my kid who has it now is more immediate for me.
Cathy |
Joan
Supporter
Username: Joancrystal
Post Number: 5036
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, February 25, 2005 - 11:25 am: |
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Cathy:
I hope your kid feels better soon. |
cam1
Citizen
Username: Cam1
Post Number: 85
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Friday, February 25, 2005 - 12:12 pm: |
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I am concerned too. I think letting our public officials and news media know that this is priority #1 is an important step we can take. I think the natural tendency is to minimize monumental risks like this so prompting action (research funding for vaccines, funding for mass production of anti-virals, local and national planning, etc.) is essential. I was distressed that there has been nothing in the Times about this (save a picture yesterday) for days, yet other news sources are saying that this is an extreme threat (see the New Yorker article). |
C Bataille
Citizen
Username: Nakaille
Post Number: 1868
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, February 25, 2005 - 6:37 pm: |
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Thanks, Joan. She's no longer soaring upwards of 104 degrees so she's clearly on the mend.
Cathy |
Bettina
Citizen
Username: Bettina
Post Number: 35
Registered: 8-2004
| | Posted on Friday, February 25, 2005 - 7:42 pm: |
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I agree, cam1. If news reports are accurate, the threat is real and very worrisome. My understanding is they're working on a vaccine but there will not be enough unless the vaccines are sent to the location of the first outbreak which would likely be in Asia, in order to contain it. |
shoshannah
Citizen
Username: Shoshannah
Post Number: 751
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Friday, February 25, 2005 - 7:49 pm: |
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I am much more worried about being killed in an auto accident, which is a significantly greater threat at the moment. |
cam1
Citizen
Username: Cam1
Post Number: 86
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, February 26, 2005 - 10:26 am: |
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No, actually the threat of a pandemic is greater. What happened in 1918 will happen again in the future, and if the reports that are now circulating in the scientific community are accurate (see CDC or WHO web sites), this current H5N1 flu strain is the most likely threat of it reoccurring in the near future. From what I’ve read, this new virus has characteristics that make it the most likely and lethal candidate for a new pandemic source than any virus in decades. The threat is real, and action now is the only was to minimize our risk. As it is the world-wide meeting of communicable disease experts that just ended in Viet Nam has recommended a $100 million investment to help contain the spread of the virus, and the world community has only thus far coughed up $18 million. Pressure needs to be put on the government to focus on this effort now, while the “war” is still winnable. Once a pandemic begins, we have no effective tools to eradicate it. And, these experts say that if this virus mutates to a form which is easily transmissible among humans (which they rate as a likely possibility), then the virus will travel around the world in 6-8 months, precluding the possibility of developing and distributing adequate vaccine after-the-fact. And when we think of flu in this scenario, think of something more akin to Ebola than a severe cold. I think the name “flu” sounds benign, this virus is not. |
thegoodsgt
Citizen
Username: Thegoodsgt
Post Number: 765
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Monday, February 28, 2005 - 9:37 am: |
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The current issue of The New Yorker (Feb. 28, 2005) has an lengthy article about it. |
Mark Fuhrman
Citizen
Username: Mfpark
Post Number: 1352
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Monday, February 28, 2005 - 9:53 am: |
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Really a conundrum. This could be the next pandemic, but it also could blow over. The world has to make a call--invest huge sums of money in preparation for it (and for fighting it in advance), or spend that money on other global killers like AIDs or lack of potable water. Like global warming, if drastic prevention is used and the threat does not materialize, was it serendipity or the intervention that worked? And if serendipity, what else went bad because money and attention were diverted? |
Cato Nova
Citizen
Username: Cato_nova
Post Number: 503
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Monday, February 28, 2005 - 10:40 am: |
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How many of you chicken littles would be willing to put your money where your mouth is and agree to an increase in taxes to fund greater public health efforts? |
susan1014
Supporter
Username: Susan1014
Post Number: 404
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Monday, February 28, 2005 - 11:06 am: |
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I'm willing to invest a modest tax increase to fund both a major increase in public health and port security funding. It wouldn't take huge amounts to fund a dramatic increase in protection |
cam1
Citizen
Username: Cam1
Post Number: 87
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Monday, February 28, 2005 - 12:38 pm: |
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Investing in a pan-flu vaccine, one which would protect against all sub-types of flu, has been recommended by some. This may be a cost effective way to go. With the current threat, I think we have no choice but to act. A small outlay of money ($100 million requested at the Viet Nam meeting) seems appropriate to stem a serious global threat. And if H5N1 turns out to not be the next pandemic strain, there will still be a next pandemic at some point, and the knowledge gained from this “run-through” will help us then. To not act now also means much more money later, after eradication/containment is no longer possible, so cost then will be in lives as well as dollars. |
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