Chertoff will handle things in case of flu epidemic...not health agencies.

[madfloridian]

Who's in charge if bird flu strikes --- docs or cops?

"The head of the Department of Homeland Security said Tuesday that his agency --- and not the federal health establishment --- would manage the nation's response if a deadly new strain of bird flu evolved into a human pandemic.

Public health officials expressed dismay at the assertion by Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff.

"They don't have the infrastructure at Homeland Security, or the technical expertise, to handle" a pandemic, said Dr. Georges Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Association, who was Maryland's health officer during the 2001 anthrax attacks.

The Department of Health and Human Services, which includes the U.S. Public Health Service, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other health agencies, has described itself as the "primary federal agency" in a national health emergency.

But at a meeting with reporters in Washington, Chertoff said his department expected to have overall responsibility for managing a national pandemic response.

Chertoff said the government would depend heavily on the health expertise within HHS, "but we would manage the incident ... to make sure that all of the other pieces that could flow from the pandemic would be properly addressed."

There was no indication Tuesday whether Chertoff had White House backing for his declaration or was speaking on his own.

Officials at HHS and the CDC declined to comment.

Sounds like a decree to me. Chertoff just took over.

[wryter2000]

1. Oh, great

I don't know about you, but I feel much better now. :sarcasm:

On edit: How nice to have someone who looks like a cadaver in charge of our health.

[tanyev]

2. How much duct tape do you need to have on hand for a flu

epidemic? :scared:

[phantom power]

3. surgical masks and gloves aren't a bad idea.

You can buy them at most drug stores. I'd recommend getting a supply good for a month or two, now. If we get hit with an epidemic, you won't be able to find them for any price.

[Coastie for Truth]

4. Why Not?

He has a US Public Health Commissioned Officer Corps Admiral on his staff at DHS at FEMA - and a US Public Health Service Commissioned Officer Corps Admiral at DHS at Coast Guard Headquarters (the Surgeon General of the Coast Guard, the Coast Guard is part of Homeland Security).

The Public health Service is a real commissioned officer corps.
<>

:sarcasm: But he does have two real USPHS "two star" Admirals working for him. :sarcasm:

[phantom power]

5. In theory, it make sense. My beef would be that...

so far the actual "dept of homeland security" has been useless. Like every other BushCo creation, it's been all PR, and no substance.

That's what worries me: putting a "potempkin-department" in charge of handling a very real, scary problem.

[boise1]

6. GW has been reading about flu epidemics. Why?

One of the books on George's summer reading list (apparently he can read) was "The Great Influenza: The Epic Story of the Deadliest Plague in History" by John M. Barry.

-- http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-bushread16aug16,0,3467977.story?coll=la-home-nation">Barry, author of "The Great Influenza," said that he too had been a Bush critic. But his views have not deterred the administration from seeking his advice on the potential for another pandemic like the 1918 outbreak that claimed millions of lives worldwide.

Although Barry was not aware that the president planned to read the book, he said he had been consulting off and on with senior administration officials since its release in February 2004. He had lunch with Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt two weeks ago.

The administration, Barry said, was investigating what steps public officials could take to lessen the severity of a flu pandemic. A central theme of Barry's book is that the 1918 outbreak was exacerbated in America by the government's attempts to minimize its significance, partly to avoid undermining efforts to prevail in World War I.

-- That last sentence leaves me wondering; in light of current events, are we about due for a repeat of 1918?

[newyawker99]

9. Hi boise1!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[tanyev]

12. Oh, crap.

If Dimbulb was reading a book like that, there must be a reason. :scared: :scared:

[leesa]

7. Wonder when Chertoff's pandemic is scheduled to occur?

They have been hinting at it and planning for it for years. Now that the P.A.T.R.I.O.T. Act is permanent, I guess it's time to let it fly. Concentration camps here we come!

[wli]

8. doubtless the bird flu warheads will be detonated in blue states n/t

[ck4829]

10. 99% of Flu Viruses are registered Republicans

Could some secret conspiracy be in the works?

[Bluebear]

11. Will they color code the current risk?

YELLOW Enough to feel really, really bad but don't call in sick for work or you're fired. Suck it up, you lazy liberal.

ORANGE Fevers over 103 widespread, get away from me you Typhoid Mary.

RED Oops, guess we started taking this seriously too late. Enjoy eternity, wherever you end up!