One thing everyone should remember with the Ebola scare

[RB TexLa]

All this contain people and prevent people form traveling and such. Under our law a person never has to answer any questions or provide any information regarding their medical history or conditions to anyone. Also no one has to accept or purchase medical treatment from anyone if they do not want to.

[kelly1mm]

1. You are wrong. See links below:

http://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/specificlawsregulations.html

Specifically, 42 USC Sec. 264:

&quot d) Apprehension and examination of persons reasonably believed to be infected

(1) Regulations prescribed under this section may provide for the apprehension and examination of any individual reasonably believed to be infected with a communicable disease in a qualifying stage and (A) to be moving or about to move from a State to another State; or (B) to be a probable source of infection to individuals who, while infected with such disease in a qualifying stage, will be moving from a State to another State. Such regulations may provide that if upon examination any such individual is found to be infected, he may be detained for such time and in such manner as may be reasonably necessary. For purposes of this subsection, the term “State” includes, in addition to the several States, only the District of Columbia.

(2) For purposes of this subsection, the term “qualifying stage”, with respect to a communicable disease, means that such disease—

(A) is in a communicable stage; or

(B) is in a precommunicable stage, if the disease would be likely to cause a public health emergency if transmitted to other individuals."

[Fred Sanders]

2. The amount of cowardice in the land of the brave is breathtaking.

[kestrel91316]

6. Ignorance of epidemiology and dangerous infectious diseases

here is even more breathtaking. It's right on par with Liberia.

The only thing that makes us better is paved streets and relatively watertight housing.

[Cali_Democrat]

9. Very true

You would think as time goes on, society would become more open to science.

But it appears the flat earth society is winning in America.

It really feels like we're moving backwards.

[Fred Sanders]

10. I do not know what par is for Liberia so I can not comment on par in America. But I do know

the relative national wealth of each, so I would say America has the distinct advantage.

[kestrel91316]

14. Money doesn't make people smart. In fact, I am getting the distinct impression it makes them stupid.

[cali]

12. now there's a content free and none too swift comment.

[NYC_SKP]

3. Sick Passengers Can Be Denied Boarding, CDC Guidelines Remind Airlines In Wake Of Ebola Outbreak

Even if they don't have to answer a carrier can refuse service to put a person who appears to be ill.

And I, for one, am grateful for that.

Try flying in an aircraft filled with recirculating air for hours and hours and one or two sick people aboard.

It doesn't have to be Ebola, you can get sick.

Sick Passengers Can Be Denied Boarding, CDC Guidelines Remind Airlines In Wake Of Ebola Outbreak

Even before the first case of Ebola was confirmed yesterday by the Centers for Disease Control in a man who arrived in Dallas from Liberia on September 20, the CDC had already issued interim guidance to airline crews, aircraft cleaners and cargo handlers regarding Ebola infection. The purpose of the guidelines is to “stop ill travelers from boarding, managing and reporting onboard sick travelers, protecting crew and passengers from infection, and cleaning the plane and disinfecting contaminated areas.” It’s unlikely that these guidelines would have helped in this particular case since the man reportedly exhibited no symptoms when he left Liberia on September 19 but they are likely to garner increased attention in light of yesterday’s announcement.

The CDC guidelines remind airlines that they have the legal right to deny boarding to passengers with a serious communicable disease that could spread during flight, which includes travelers with possible Ebola symptoms. (The guidelines emphasize that the risk of spreading Ebola on an aircraft is low “because Ebola spreads by direct contact with infected body fluids”, not through the air like the flu.) The CDC cites Department of Transportation regulations that allow US airlines and foreign airlines traveling directly to or from the United States (without change of planes) to refuse to provide transportation to passengers who have a contagious disease that carries a “significant risk to the health and safety of others.” The DOT rule on denying boarding to passengers with serious contagious diseases is an exception to the Department’s general rules prohibiting discrimination in air travel on the basis of disability. Passengers denied boarding under this provision have the right to request a written explanation which the airline is required to provide within 10 days. In addition, passengers have the right to rebook their flight at the same fare without penalty for up to 90 days or request a refund.

In addition to reminding airlines of their right to deny boarding to sick passengers, the guidelines also address managing ill passengers if Ebola is suspected. According to the CDC, cabin crews should “assess the risk of Ebola by getting more information. Ask sick travelers whether they were in a country with an Ebola outbreak. Look for or ask about Ebola symptoms: fever (gives a history of feeling feverish or having chills), severe headache, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhea (several trips to the lavatory), stomach pain, or unexplained bleeding or bruising.” Cabin crews are also reminded to “treat all body fluids as though they are infectious” and to follow infection control protocols for dealing with sick passengers, including the use of protective equipment if in-flight cleaning is necessary.

The CDC guidance is also directed at cleaning crews and cargo handlers. Since many cleaners and cargo handlers are not employed by the airlines, companies that contract with the airlines, and the employees themselves, should familiarize themselves with the precautions listed here. Finally, the guidelines state that if a passenger is confirmed to have had “infectious Ebola” on a flight, the CDC will conduct a risk assessment and inform crews and passengers of possible exposure. It’s unclear what actions the CDC will take to inform crewmembers and passengers on the flight or flights the Dallas man traveled on since Dr. Thomas Friedan, CDC Director, stated at a news conference yesterday that there was “zero chance” that the man infected anyone on the flight.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/johngoglia/2014/10/01/sick-passengers-can-be-denied-boarding-cdc-guidelines-remind-airlines-in-wake-of-ebola-outbreak/

[kestrel91316]

4. False. Public health considerations trump individual rights, as they should.

Otherwise, terrorists would have the right to spread things like anthrax and plague about willy nilly and no one could stop them.

Frankly, I consider anyone who interferes with public health investigations and measures to protect the public from deadly diseases to be a terrorist of sorts.

[kestrel91316]

5. They have the right to slap you in quarantine any time they

find out you are contagious with a dangerous disease. You are of course free to refuse treatment while quarantined and simply die.

Would be downright nice if people who felt like you do would go ahead and do that, IMHO. Terrorists should be allowed to depart this earthly plane and the sooner the better.

[pnwmom]

7. And our medical privacy laws might have to be changed in response to this crisis.

Medical ethicists are already discussing the need for this. In order to trace contacts, people's identities may not remain private.

[Electric Monk]

8. I don't combat potential epidemics with you.

[pintobean]

11. If you think someone is infected

for God's sake, don't drink with them.

[FSogol]

13. Also, no french kissing, spitting contests, sharing needles, or unprotected sex.