Smallpox Plan Grants Sweeping Power (shut roads,airports;herd people to stadiums; quarantine cities)

Boston Herald via WND ^ | Thursday, November 8, 2001 | Michael Lasalandra

[Gritty]

Public health officials want to shut down roads and airports, herd people into sports stadiums and, if needed, quarantine entire cities in the event of a smallpox attack, according to a plan being forwarded to all 50 governors this week.

The plan, drafted at the request of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, could give states sweeping new powers.

``In tough times you have to make tough decisions,'' said Paul Jacobsen, assistant commissioner for the state Department of Public Health, who said he received a copy of the 50-page plan last week.

``There are times when you may have to evacuate, control facilities and roads (and) the distribution of health supplies, and force people to submit to examinations or be quarantined,'' he said.

``If the alternative is to allow the spread of infectious diseases, it's a no-brainer,'' he said.

The proposed ``model state emergency health powers act'' would have to be enacted by each state legislature. But federal health officials say it is needed to keep smallpox or other infectious agents from spreading.

Jacobsen said the model plan was drawn up with input from the governors, state legislatures, health agencies and others.

One provision of the plan would give health authorities control of private property for quarantine purposes, although Jacobsen said that in Massachusetts the preference would be to use state armories as much as possible. However, he noted such buildings as the FleetCenter could be used.

The model also calls for the rationing of drugs and other medical supplies by public health authorities, if necessary.

Under the proposed model, it would take only a declaration of a public health emergency by the governor to set the law's provisions in motion.

But the model also takes note of potential civil rights problems associated with the law, saying: ``The Act recognizes that a state's ability to respond to a public health emergency must respect the dignity and rights of persons.'' Sen. Richard Moore (D-Uxbridge), co-chairman of the Legislature's health care committee, has filed a bill that would incorporate many provisions of the model law. ``We're not as prepared as we ought to be,'' he said.

The bill would grant the state authority ``to use and appropriate property as necessary for the care, treatment and housing of patients, and for the destruction of contaminated materials.''

It calls for providing training, setting certification standards for administration of medicines, and establishing civil immunity for paramedics, EMS personnel and emergency health workers.

Moore's bill would examine the feasibility of developing a statewide pharmacy communications network to track prescription drug sales and calls for development of a program to certify nurses, including retired or inactive nurses, to be called into action in case of emergency. The bill would also look at the state's hospital capacity and preparedness of public health facilities.

[tomakaze]

What a keen, antiseptic, way to get rid of "undesirables".

[MississippiMan]

We all better hope that some drastic, sweeping steps are taken in a great, grand hurry if smallpox gets out.

MM

[Romulus]

I'm perfectly capable and content to ride it out at home, for months if I have to. Nobody's herding me into any stadium.

[Gritty]

Nobody's herding me into any stadium.

It's hard to think of a better place to "catch" it.

[BearCub]

Nobody's herding me into any stadium

I'm with you. I can't think of a better way to spread it - other than cattle cars, perhaps. I'd think the safest thing would be to declare a 24 hour-a-day curfew and tell everyone to stay in their houses.

-bc

[lelio]

The model also calls for the rationing of drugs and other medical supplies by public health authorities, if necessary.
Gee, who is going to get the drugs? Joe Blow or the senator / public health authority's sister / person who can buy it.

[ikanakattara]

It makes no sense to put people together in crowded places. What maroon thought this up?

[Revelation 911]

"plan would give health authorities control of private property for quarantine purposes, although Jacobsen said that in Massachusetts the preference would be to use state armories as much as possible. However, he noted such buildings as the FleetCenter could be used.

The model also calls for the rationing of drugs and other medical supplies by public health authorities, if necessary.

Under the proposed model, it would take only a declaration of a public health emergency by the governor to set the law's provisions in motion."

Yep - were boned

[maestro]

My question is, WHY can you NOW......NOT GET a 'Tetnus' vaccine shot for you and your children at ANY family Doctor's office in the U.S.A.??? (and the whole world?)

(THIS situation too is REALLY DUMB & DANGEROUS!!)

[Gritty]

What? You can't get a tetanus shot? First I've ever heard of that problem!

Now, if you meant getting a smallpox vaccination, that's a different story.

[Lumberjack]

Hmmmm

What a brilliant plan. Herd everybody into a stadium when a highly contageious disease is on the loose. Ration the drugs (?) and take over private property.

I hope these nimrods understand that we are an armed society. I really do.

Funny how this plan sounds exactly like many of the executive orders signed in recent years which authorize almost this exact kind of thing. The socialists are jumping with glee that this war is happening, don't let their greasy little protesters convince you otherwise. And I'd bet a dollar to a doughnut that 9 out of 10 "conservatives" won't blink an eye at this either.

[mommadooo3]

Ahhhhh, the klintler/Y2K scenario coming to pass under Bush's watch. Gee, who'd a thunk?

For those folks who THINK they can ride it out at home, what happens when you want to immunize with a smallpox shot for you and yours???? Do you think they will make housecalls on your behalf? NOPE...you'll have to go to dr. in town and get the pox shot. GUESS WHAT??? You're NOW in town, they HAVE you, and will keep you in the quarantine zone.

[maestro]

TETANUS!!!!! YOU can't get a TETANUS shot except at emergency locations!!!
(so I'm told by family doctors!!)
Is this a 'conspiracy' after all??
(sitting ducks-quack quack!!)
All this in a High-tech, low value AGE??!!

Tetanus vaccine is in Shortage Worldwide??!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Miss Marple]

There is a shortage of vaccines because they are not money-makers and they carry high liability, due to the fact that people sue the drug companies if they have an adverse reaction. This is a bad result of the free market, and will be rectified when the trial lawyers lose some power.

[Black Agnes]

The maroon who thought up the herd them into stadiums bit probably works for planned parenthood and some UN population control organization...It'd be a quick way to get the US population down to 25million like AlGore thought it should be.

[maestro]

Thank's for the GOOD NEWS.
Congress will take care of us all.
:-(

[Sabertooth]

Gee, who is going to get the drugs? Joe Blow or the senator / public health authority's sister / person who can buy it.

The main medication in demand is going to be the smallpox vaccine. The people that will get it first are emergency personnel and then those 29 and under, who were never vaccinated.

Contrary to the earlier info on smallpox vaccines, while they don't guarantee immunity, the still provide a strong resisitance or immunity in over 90% of those vaccinated as much as 50 years after the fact (especially if you are in otherwise good health, with a strong immune system). The following links show evidence of this both from a 1902-03 Liverpool smallpox outbreak, and from a more recent labooratory study.

And Now, the Good News about Smallpox

Human cytotoxic T-cell memory:
long-lived responses to vaccinia virus.

I've had my vaccine, so I'll be happy to go to the back of the line until supplies are sufficient for me to get a booster.

[BLASTER 14]

Please don't spread rumors.

Thanks.

[George W. Bush]

You ought to start a thread with your information sources. Good info for FReepers to have.