General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsObama should rent a first class Hotel
For all those returning from fighting Ebola.
A first class hotel, all expenses paid vacation in that hotel with medical staff, and which has all the luxuries one could ever need for 3 weeks.
These People are living, breathing heroes and we should take care of them, even paying their other expenses.
It would be cheaper to do that that chase down all the contacts and other medical bills.
And would probably get more volunteers to take the risk.
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TwilightGardener
(46,416 posts)at the airport for symptoms and be allowed to fly home, where they stay until quarantine is over. I'm not fucking paying for their three week vacation.
TwilightGardener
(46,416 posts)RobertEarl
(13,685 posts)Let DWB tend to taking care of their patients like they do.
KittyWampus
(55,894 posts)TwilightGardener
(46,416 posts)with local crime/terrorism and dangerous diseases that kill quite a few of them, and three weeks at home is too fucking much all of a sudden to protect people in their OWN country? Bull fucking shit.
KittyWampus
(55,894 posts)TwilightGardener
(46,416 posts)I haven't gone anywhere today. 
uppityperson
(115,677 posts)
pnwmom
(108,955 posts)when they were quarantined for Scarlet Fever.
If I had been exposed to Ebola I wouldn't want to expose anyone else to it, even if that meant I was stuck at home for three weeks -- which isn't a long time, in reality.
KMOD
(7,906 posts)Even if your chances of exposure to anyone was nil?
pnwmom
(108,955 posts)are among hundreds of other DWB doctors who came down with Ebola.
And knowing what we know about Ebola, yes, if there was a risk I'd been exposed, I'd put up no resistance to staying at home for three weeks, as long as someone could deliver food here. To me, it's what a responsible person would do.
I do think they should go ahead with their idea for case managers to assist people stuck in their homes.
KMOD
(7,906 posts)you are so incredibly smart pnwmom. So how is it you think exposure happens?
It isn't happenstance. I know you are aware of that.
pnwmom
(108,955 posts)Last edited Sun Oct 26, 2014, 01:31 AM - Edit history (3)
And sometimes fever isn't the first symptom of Ebola . . . and vomiting could be -- just as it can be with other viruses that affect the stomach.
And doctors who work in the field report that some Ebola patients are hard to identify because they have atypical symptoms.
ON EDIT: I just found this article. According to three studies, almost 13% of contagious Ebola patients present without fever --which means there is no simple way to determine if they could be infectious, before they vomit or otherwise spread bodily fluids. This is a good reason for the 21 day quarantines.
http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-1012-ebola-fever-20141012-story.html#page=1
Yet the largest study of the current outbreak found that in nearly 13% of "confirmed and probable" cases in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea and elsewhere, those infected did not have fevers.
The study, sponsored by the World Health Organization and published online late last month by the New England Journal of Medicine, analyzed data on 3,343 confirmed and 667 probable cases of Ebola.
The finding that 87.1% of those infected exhibited fever — but 12.9% did not — illustrates the challenges confronting health authorities as they struggle to contain the epidemic.
SNIP
The official assumptions about the frequency of fever in Ebola patients have not been challenged publicly. But Dr. Paul D. Stolley, former chairman of the University of Maryland's Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, said the matter "requires further investigation."
Given the stakes, he said, the "absolute" assumption that Ebola can be spread only when an infected person displays fever should be reevaluated.
"It may be true," said Stolley, a member of the Institute of Medicine, part of the National Academies. "It just doesn't sound very plausible to me."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/how-the-microscopic-ebola-virus-kills-thousands/2014/10/18/6e21bdec-561b-11e4-809b-8cc0a295c773_story.html
The virus has its quirks: Some people infected with Ebola never get sick at all. Some who become sick shed massive amounts of virus — they’re “super-shedders” — but others do not. Fever is typically the first symptom of Ebola virus disease, but sometimes it’s a lagging indicator or never appears at all.
http://www.medicinenet.com/ebola_hemorrhagic_fever_ebola_hf/page4.htm#what_are_ebola_virus_disease_symptoms_and_signs
What are Ebola virus disease symptoms and signs?
Unfortunately, early symptoms of Ebola virus disease are nonspecific and include the following:
fever,
headache,
weakness,
vomiting,
diarrhea,
stomach discomfort,
decreased appetite,
and joint and muscle discomfort.
As the disease progresses, patients may develop other symptoms and signs such as:
SNIP
http://www.thenational.ae/news/world/africa/confounding-ebola-outbreak-contained-in-uganda
KAMPALA, Uganda // Doctors were slow to respond to an outbreak of Ebola in Uganda because symptoms weren’t always typical, but a World Health Organization official said Friday that authorities are halting the spread of the deadly disease.
SNIP
“The doctors in Kibaale say the symptoms were a bit atypical of Ebola,” Museveni said in a national address Monday. “They were not clearly like Ebola symptoms. Because of that delay, the sickness spread to another village.”
http://www.cleveland.com/akron/index.ssf/2014/10/ebola_patient_amber_joy_vinson.html
Summit County and Ohio Department of Health officials had previously maintained that Vinson was not experiencing any symptoms while in Ohio. Ebola patients become contagious when symptoms appear.
Braden said Vinson did not have typical Ebola symptoms even when she was diagnosed with the virus Tuesday.
Vinson, 29, a graduate of Firestone High School and Kent State University who worked at Summa Akron City Hospital from 2007-12, is planning her wedding.
KMOD
(7,906 posts)You are coming across more as a "bot" then a person at this point.
You are completely dead-set in your opinion and are only finding snips to fit that opinion.
You are refusing to look at any other information or articles.
That's fine. I don't agree with it. But, carry on.
pnwmom
(108,955 posts)(which you clearly have not.)
But this scientist makes sense to me:
"The official assumptions about the frequency of fever in Ebola patients have not been challenged publicly. But Dr. Paul D. Stolley, former chairman of the University of Maryland's Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, said the matter "requires further investigation."
"Given the stakes, he said, the "absolute" assumption that Ebola can be spread only when an infected person displays fever should be reevaluated.
""It may be true," said Stolley, a member of the Institute of Medicine, part of the National Academies. "It just doesn't sound very plausible to me.""
KMOD
(7,906 posts)You cannot catch Ebola by being exposed to someone with a fever.
I like you, you are smart, but this is getting ridiculous.
You need to be exposed to an extremely ill Ebola patient in order to catch it. You need to be in contact with infected bodily fluids. Not someone with a fever, not someone at a bowling alley. A very ill person. Even then, it is the caregivers at risk, not you or me.
KamaAina
(78,249 posts)pnwmom
(108,955 posts)Oktober
(1,488 posts)Not so much with the version you put forward...
KMOD
(7,906 posts)They are not going to spread Ebola to people. Ebola is not very contagious. Self-monitoring is completely sufficient. This is not the flu. You need to come into contact with bodily fluids of extremely ill patients in order to catch Ebola. It will not spread like the flu. It will not spread like the cold virus. It's fear and stigmatism that are causing people to want to isolate these people. There is no reason to isolate them unless they are sick. Having a low-grade fever and feeling sluggish is not enough for you to catch Ebola from someone. If you are not a HCW treating an Ebola patient, or a loved one caring for an Ebola patient, you are at extremely low risk. You will not catch it. It is not a danger to the public. Misinformation on this is the real danger.
TwilightGardener
(46,416 posts)Three weeks out of their lives at home or at a designated center is a small price to pay to ensure that no virus particles end up in public areas, because while doctors and nurses fully understand what they undertake in dealing voluntarily with ebola patients, and are on the lookout for their own health, ordinary citizens are completely unaware and thus can't protect themselves or their families adequately should they encounter the virus--and if you are Amber Vinson sitting on a plane, "self-monitoring" is moot--everyone is trapped and so is she if she suddenly gets airsick while also febrile with developing ebola. It is unlikely that anyone would get infected from these people, but unlikely is not impossible, and the danger is that the victim will not know he or she has ebola, nor will family and coworkers and dentists, etc. and then we've got a REAL PUBLIC HEALTH PROBLEM. The needs of the many, in this case, absolutely outweigh the INCONVENIENCE of the few. And I will point out again--a quarantine on incoming Liberian citizens, or at least some sort of minimal CDC engagement and supervision, would have saved millions of dollars, lots and lots of trouble and illness, and probably saved Duncan's life, as the CDC would have whisked him to Emory or Nebraska right away to begin treatment. Sorry, no one will change my mind on the necessity of quarantine, this isn't the flu but it also isn't HIV.
KMOD
(7,906 posts)Absolutely agree. I have also stated many times that I would never use the term "zero risk".
"because while doctors and nurses fully understand what they undertake in dealing voluntarily with ebola patients, and are on the lookout for their own health, ordinary citizens are completely unaware and thus can't protect themselves or their families adequately should they encounter the virus"
And that is why we are doing contact tracing. Those people are found, and educated, and instructed on what to do if they become ill. This does not interfere with their lives, save the stigmatism. If they appear to not understand the instructions, or if the public in uninformed, panicking and creating an issue for their safety, (which has been extremely hurtful in this situation) they are then quarantined. That is why we took in the homeless man in Dallas and quarantined him.
Ebola is a very serious disease, but the fear about it is becoming very unreasonable, and very unfortunate.
TwilightGardener
(46,416 posts)a hub, early in incubating ebola, just as symptoms begin to appear, and suddenly feels bad and barfs at the baggage claim or has a runny, splashy shit in the toilet. Ordinary, unaware people could theoretically come into contact with the virus and they will never know what hits them. The doctor from DWB knows he might have ebola, and would care about keeping it from his family and get himself in for treatment immediately. Me, regular Jane on my way to see my grandkids and having sat on the toilet right after DWB guy coming down with ebola, will have no idea until my fever is high and blood is streaming out of my butthole and my whole family is baffled and doesn't even know enough to stay away from me. This is the danger.
KMOD
(7,906 posts)would notify authorities immediately. I would imagine, that toilet would immediately be put out of service. Knowing our abundance of caution with this issue, I think the whole bathroom would be put on lockdown.
But yes, if you somehow managed to use a toilet after an Ebola patient, highly unlikely as it is, you would be a contact, that would be traced, informed and in touch with health authorities.
TwilightGardener
(46,416 posts)may have encountered a place where the virus was deposited. And why should this be done, and at whose expense and effort and with what resources, when the HCW could just hang out at home for at least a couple weeks after returning from epidemic areas? You are asking the public and the government to assume all risk and cost so that Dr. or Nurse can go to a restaurant or a movie or bowling.
KMOD
(7,906 posts)And if they are not symptomatic they pose no risk to the general public.
I am asking the public and "some" of the government to calm down.
The contact tracing helps us know who may, or may not have been exposed. It works. It has worked for years.
Ebola patients are not contagious until they are very, very ill.
TwilightGardener
(46,416 posts)shat itself with worry and regret had Amber Vinson actually become airsick on her flight home. That's why Frieden looked shaken and said "she shouldn't have been allowed to fly". They know full well that if someone in the public with no known exposure does become ill, but DOESN'T suspect ebola and neither do the inevitable treatment facilities, first responders, family, etc., then the disease may spread--and the ensuing panic and financial/resource cost from those "spontaneous" infections will be way more than what is happening now . It was luck that Duncan's family didn't fall ill, but then I suspect the woman he stayed with understood what was brewing and stayed away from his body fluids.
KMOD
(7,906 posts)pnwmom
(108,955 posts)any number of unsuspecting, impossible-to-trace people could have used it.
Do you think there are toilet monitors? Cameras in the toilet stalls? How the heck do you think they would do contact tracing with regard to a public toilet in an airport, department store, or any other public place where someone could get sick?
KMOD
(7,906 posts)pnwmom
(108,955 posts)According to this major study, about 13% of infectious Ebola patients don't have any fever. Experts are divided on what to make of this. If you read the whole article, you'll see how divided top experts are.
Given the controversy, I think it's better to err on the conservative side.
http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-1012-ebola-fever-20141012-story.html#page=1
KMOD
(7,906 posts)The CDC has already changed their guidelines for fever.
The 13 percent you cite, did not have a typical fever to fit the CDC guidelines. That is not to say that their body temperature was not elevated. Just that they didn't have a "fever" based on whatever guidelines a "fever" was to them.
This is what most would call "nit-picking".
pnwmom
(108,955 posts)And almost 13% did not have a fever by that definition.
From the WA post article I just linked:
"The authors of the recent World Health Organization study said they analyzed "a detailed subset of data" on confirmed and probable cases, including information from forms completed by doctors and other healthcare workers in the affected countries, indicating whether a patient had a fever and at what temperature and whether the reading was taken by armpit, by mouth or rectally.
"The study defined fever as 38 degrees Celsius — 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit."
KMOD
(7,906 posts)And regardless, someone with a fever isn't going to give you Ebola.
You need to come in contact with an extremely ill patient and their bodily fluids.
If you come into contact with a patient with a fever, you are almost guaranteed to be ok.
pnwmom
(108,955 posts)But if an Ebola-infected person without a fever goes out in public and vomits, he can then spread the virus. Without the fever as a positive marker of infection, we don't know who might be contagious.
The definition matters because that is the definition they have been using to decide who might be infectious or not. (At least since they lowered it from 101.5) If they don't have a quarantine, and only have temperature-reporting, and use the definition of 100.4 as the cut-off, that means almost 13% of people actually infected with Ebola could be allowed to move around in public -- and might develop Ebola symptoms, like vomiting, while they do so.
http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-1012-ebola-fever-20141012-story.html#page=1
The official assumptions about the frequency of fever in Ebola patients have not been challenged publicly. But Dr. Paul D. Stolley, former chairman of the University of Maryland's Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, said the matter "requires further investigation."
Given the stakes, he said, the "absolute" assumption that Ebola can be spread only when an infected person displays fever should be reevaluated.
"It may be true," said Stolley, a member of the Institute of Medicine, part of the National Academies. "It just doesn't sound very plausible to me."
KMOD
(7,906 posts)a fever is not contagious for crying our loud.
As far as someone vomiting in public, yes that would be a huge problem.
Again, that is why we do the contact tracing.
Do people actually think that Ebola comes on suddenly?
It doesn't. It takes days after fever to manifest itself to that point. Many of our US patients have never even experienced vomiting or diarrhea. Because they were treated before it even came to that point.
Health care workers are at risk, the general public is not.
Why is this so hard to understand?
pnwmom
(108,955 posts)So I doubt that making this mandatory would be a real deal breaker.
I also don't think it's a coincidence that the 3 weeks they tell workers to stay home to rest is exactly the same length as the incubation period for the virus they're fighting.
KMOD
(7,906 posts)and what is three weeks of rest to you?
DWB do not instruct them to completely isolate themselves. They ask that they watch for symptoms. Not cut themselves off completely from humanity.
pnwmom
(108,955 posts)It isn't a terrible additional hardship to give up subway rides and bowling games for three weeks, as long as someone will deliver groceries and other necessities to your door.
This would be far easier than it was in an earlier era. People will still be able to telephone, to use the Internet, to Skype, and to do all the other things they need to do to stay in contact with their friends and loved ones not in quarantine. Compared to the old quarantines when I was young, this doesn't seem very burdensome.
bmac19gg
(96 posts)We have a high number of homeless veterans not to mention homeless citizens in general. So if we're going to spend money on housing I think we can find more deserving persons to spend it on than those who probably already have homes of their own.
That's my opinion at least.
TwilightGardener
(46,416 posts)KittyWampus
(55,894 posts)your comment is?
TwilightGardener
(46,416 posts)KittyWampus
(55,894 posts)on this subject doesn't change the scientific fact they are not contagious if they are not symptomatic and thus not required to be quarantined.
TwilightGardener
(46,416 posts)awoke_in_2003
(34,582 posts)TwilightGardener
(46,416 posts)
HERVEPA
(6,107 posts)The rich surgeons are not the ones who become NSF volunteers. You're talking out of your ass.
TwilightGardener
(46,416 posts)without a paycheck for weeks or months VOLUNTARILY, don't you? And if they can't, why don't their organizations pay for their accommodations?
HERVEPA
(6,107 posts)risking their lives in service to humankind.. What the hell made you such an unfeeling person, anyhow?
TwilightGardener
(46,416 posts)We'll treat you to an all expenses paid resort stay for your quarantine at taxpayer expense? How about they go fucking home and stay at Resort Chez Moi? Or MSF puts its doctors up in the finest accommodations, go crazy. Duncan's family was locked up with ebola-ridden filth for days. On that, I'd like to add: a mandatory quarantine and daily monitoring may have saved poor Duncan's life, and may have saved the nurses from their ordeal.
morningfog
(18,115 posts)Goes to show how stupid these suggestions of isolation are. They are anti-science. They are purely reactionary and emotion driven.
HERVEPA
(6,107 posts)TwilightGardener
(46,416 posts)to comply with laws and regulations, and take care of their people. Designate your own quarantine station, MSF--make it as nice or as crappy as you want. Hospitals with exposed workers must ALSO pay and care for their employees during quarantines.
uppityperson
(115,677 posts)HOW MANY?
uppityperson
(115,677 posts)
Fred Sanders
(23,946 posts)And room service by spacesuit waiters, and let me tell you about the constant surveillance and medical probing, loss of privacy, etc. Bet the pool is closed...and the "guests" separated....
Good times!
Maybe if they also threw in a million for compensation for the loss of liberty, remember that quaint concept?
KittyWampus
(55,894 posts)Or the States, individually.
Unless you think Obama should do it with his own personal money?
VanillaRhapsody
(21,115 posts)RobertEarl
(13,685 posts)Jeez, what, you think Obama is powerless?
Oh, yeah, rent a bowling alley, too.
Soldiers on R&R are sometimes treated to such a hotel. And the costs of such a place would be so much less than what the governments are now incurring by chasing down the whereabouts.
Besides, if a person did not want such a vacation, they could refuse.
VanillaRhapsody
(21,115 posts)funds for something like that....good luck getting Republicans to agree to that.
THAT is the problem and what the Far Left doesn't understand....that is why he is NOT a magician. They hold the purse strings!
RobertEarl
(13,685 posts)Without congress approval.
Believe it or not the POTUS can do things without asking congress.
The "Obama is powerless", schtick is just not too smart.
This a war on Ebola we are looking at.
VanillaRhapsody
(21,115 posts)oh and Congress refused funding for fighting Ebola not 2 months ago...
MADem
(135,425 posts)The Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee is the person holding the national purse with a death grip.
A Republican named Camp is running the show right now. If we could take back the House, the gavel would go to Sander Levin. http://waysandmeans.house.gov/about/members.htm
baldguy
(36,649 posts)And after the GOP in Congress got done with it, the funding would be for the Motel 6 in Bangor, ME.
AngryAmish
(25,704 posts)baldguy
(36,649 posts)
greatlaurel
(2,004 posts)From kestrel91316 http://www.democraticunderground.com/10025715324#post14
"And for the record, we understand Ebola a LOT better than we did HIV at the time. So we don't have an excuse.
This mandatory solitary confinement of asymptomatic medical personnel returning from West Africa for 21 days is criminal. It has no medical rationale at all, and is clearly designed to punish those who dare to defy RW doctrine which says "every man for himself" and "let him die" and "pull yourself up by your own fucking bootstraps""
RobertEarl
(13,685 posts)No, I didn't.
I say we make it so nice that someone would be more than willing.
And it would help more volunteers go to Africa if they knew they'd be rewarded when they got home. Betcha Cuba takes good care of their People when they come back.
KMOD
(7,906 posts)they are just looking for a little r&r and time with family before they go back and do it again.
RobertEarl
(13,685 posts)And treat them like heroes.
KMOD
(7,906 posts)but again, DWB's are not asking for a hero's welcome. They are genuine, caring, considerate and wonderful people following their calling.
More about the nurse
""Hickox ’02 works with the country’s top epidemiologists to analyze and improve health and disease surveillance"
She has spent years overseas helping in humanitarian issues. Read this bio: http://www.uta.edu/unbranded/alumni/kaci-hickox.php
What Cuomo and Christie are doing to her is injustice and an absolute shame. I'm embarrassed by their behavior.
RobertEarl
(13,685 posts)"No good deed goes unpunished"
I am quite sincere. It's a win-win proposition. I like me some win-win.
Doctors Without Borders, are the coolest of the cool.
zappaman
(20,606 posts)You can donate here...I do.
http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org
KMOD
(7,906 posts)and yes, Doctors without Borders are the coolest. But I don't want to curtail their life plans any more than necessary. Even if it involves a nice upscale hotel stay. 
RobertEarl
(13,685 posts)From what I hear, the sooner you get to treating Ebola, the better chance you have of beating Ebola.
The DWB are heroes. They sacrifice much and get little in return. They are in hospitals enough. This idea would be a temporary measure which would allow them to partake as a guest and even be able to hang with their fellow travelers. DWB would probably never suggest such a thing as they seem too modest.
I wonder how many are to be expected to come back to the US? Hundreds, maybe? And let's not forget many of those returning are nurses, who probably can't afford much.
Crunchy Frog
(26,578 posts)
mopinko
(70,020 posts)excessive. a week at most with zero symptoms.
at any rate, these people are health care professionals. they are watching and monitoring themselves. there is no danger from those with no symptoms. none.
TwilightGardener
(46,416 posts)no virus, they almost certainly don't need to be quarantined any more. There's nothing magic about 21 days, from what I understand. Usually they get it sooner, but some suspect it may also incubate even longer--40 or so days.
RobertEarl
(13,685 posts)We can't take any chances with Ebola.
But if the health professionals say a week, who am I to argue?
We need to be sure, absolutely sure, it doesn't spread here.
zappaman
(20,606 posts)And a whole new wardrobe
And a new car
And a brand new refrigerator
And massages every day
And a roll of forever stamps
And an amazon gift card
And freshly baked apple pie
And a lawnmower...the kind you ride on
And an Olive Garden gift certificate
And the box set blu rays of PEE WEES PLAYHOUSE
And tickets to the Super Bowl
And their very own limo driver
And a bottle of Pappy Van Winkle
And free dry cleaning
And a motor boat
And a starring role in a Broadway play
And a mini van
And a puppy
And an honorary degree from the college of their choosing
And a PS4
And the new Cat Stevens vinyl
And a trip to Vegas
And an ice cream cone
And the NFL Sunday package on Direct TV
And an original Dali painting
And an ounce of killer bud
And a vacation in Bora Bora
And a snuggie
And debt forgivement
And a haircut
And a Hello Kitty coin bank
TwilightGardener
(46,416 posts)RobertEarl
(13,685 posts)That post was just stupid.
zappaman
(20,606 posts)And an iPhone 6
flvegan
(64,406 posts)Are they less heroic because their fight isn't the top headline for Americans with short attention spans? Or who only care for the next 21 days.
No, wait...I have the marketing strategy for the NYC Waldorf Astoria going forward:
WE HOUSED HEROES POTENTIALLY EXPOSED TO EBOLA, BUT CLEARED BY YOUR GOVERNMENT! I'll be waiting on kayak.com for the bargain rates.
RobertEarl
(13,685 posts)I have always considered that people who do the right thing should be rewarded by this country.
But in this case it is not just a reward, but a way too ensure they don't make a mistake and end up hurting you by passing Ebola on to you.
flvegan
(64,406 posts)there was no reward, but people who did the right thing did so just because it was the right thing to do?
RobertEarl
(13,685 posts)We can't take that chance.
flvegan
(64,406 posts)
LeftyMom
(49,212 posts)Quarantine is unwarranted in this case.
I'm not surprised that you're contributing to the science illiteracy and hysteria on this issue too, but really, knock it off.
RobertEarl
(13,685 posts)Make them feel good. It's the least we can do. These people have endangered themselves to help others. The least we can do is make them feel good. If they don't want our help, they don't have to be a guest. I'd bet they would be happy to know we appreciate them and are doing it also to keep America safe. Thanks for your support.
zappaman
(20,606 posts)
LeftyMom
(49,212 posts)They're doctors. If they want to spend a week at the Plaza they can book one. So stop acting like cushy imprisonment because you're skeered is some great honor.
JI7
(89,240 posts)because their work takes up so many hours what they can use it time to do what they want. although they could usually easily afford it.
RobertEarl
(13,685 posts)And other support staff that are not doctors?
JI7
(89,240 posts)Well, we are out of time. Ebola is here. Some of them may be carrying Ebola.
This is not just about them, it is about protecting others while making it very easy on the possible carriers.
Travelman
(708 posts)The very practical question is: where?
In the nineteenth century, we had Ellis Island. For better or for worse, virtually the only way into the United States from points on the far side of the Atlantic was New York. We had similar, but not nearly so well-known, sites on the west coast, but immigration from that end of the world was a dribble compared to the numbers we had coming from (mostly) Europe at the time.
Point being that there were inherent logistics there. There was one place where everyone was collected, could be sorted, etc. Today, there are more than thirty cities across the US that accept international flights from Europe. So what do we do? Take out thirty hotels? It's certainly theoretically possible, but it certainly turns into a logistics nightmare in a hurry. We're suddenly spreading a relatively few resources out over thirty sites to handle these people. Just how many world-class epidemiologists and nurses who are trained and experienced in handling seriously infectious diseases does anyone think we have? In the real world, on the ground, in America, we simply don't have that many people who are really all that well-trained and prepared for the kind of round-the-clock care that will be needed if there is some influx of ebola-stricken patients. Remember: it took seventy people to treat Mr. Duncan. Now multiply that by thirty sites around the nation, potentially with dozens or scores or more patients in some sort of hotel utilized as a treatment facility.
Now, that having been said, I think that Obama did a very prudent thing by declaring that there will only be a few "collection points" where people arriving from west Africa may arrive. I question whether this is really enforceable, but I don't question the basic idea.
But there's a question of whether anyone wants Hotel Ebola in their neighborhood. Something tells me that the people living on Boston Commons probably would prefer that the Four Seasons not become the place where infected people go from Logan Airport, for example.
IF you're going to take out a place for these people, then you probably need to take out some winter resort in the White Mountains, or, at this point, some summer retreat that closes in the winter, e.g. some place like Mackinac Island.
RobertEarl
(13,685 posts)But you do bring up some good thinking about what could occur.
We have special hospitals for those we know are infected. Let's hope they do not become overwhelmed.
I have no proposal about what to do with others who travel here from W. Africa. My proposal here is specifically for those doctors, nurses, et al, who have been working in the clinics there, and have come home.
It isn't a quarantine, since it would be voluntary. I just think it needs to be so nice that refusal would be difficult. And it could be anywhere as these are people not known to be infected, just that they have the greatest chance to have become infected.
Travis_0004
(5,417 posts)If word got out that a hotel was acting as quartine for ebola paitents they would have trouble finding paying guest.
Also, if somebody is in quartine doesnt it defeat the purpose if they need room service every meal, other people doing their laundry, etc.
After being out of the country for a while I would much rather be back home, and all I would need is grocerys delivered every week, so it would actually be a more effective quartine
RobertEarl
(13,685 posts)They are suspected of being infected. What we have now is a nurse being kept in a friggin tent. Horrible treatment that Obama could fix in a NY minute.
msanthrope
(37,549 posts)AngryAmish
(25,704 posts)AngryAmish
(25,704 posts)They have the underground facilities, medical facilities etc.
Plus The Old White by CB Macdonald and the Seth Raynor Classic The Greenbriar. Yeah, make me spend three weeks playing golf and getting drunk. Heck, I might volunteer.
KamaAina
(78,249 posts)It is entirely run for active-duty military personnel and family. That's right, no civilians allowed! (hale koa means "house of soldiers".)
zappaman
(20,606 posts)