CDC chief pessimistic SARS can be conquered

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution ^ | May 31, 2003 | M.A.J. McKENNA

[MadMoo]

America is next. Here in Californis we have all of the creepy bugs (micro bio, airborn, 2 legged) dragging their tired sick butts, across our borders by the hour. When will our government stop their need for votes... California registers all of them with vehicles (60%?) and registers them to vote. Citizenship in CA doesn't matter. All new Democrats.

[Judith Anne]

An FYI ping. Sounds like Dr. Gerberding is expecting US outbreaks...

[sarcasm]

(New York)CITY HOLDS PATIENT IN SARS SCARE

[Judith Anne]

They're emphasizing that no one has yet CAUGHT the disease in NY.

What about quarantines for the folks who were exposed by this patient, and other patients...? We haven't heard anything about US quarantines, have we?

[sarcasm]

It's only a matter of time before someone catches it here.

[MeneMeneTekelUpharsin]

What about quarantines for the folks who were exposed by this patient, and other patients...? We haven't heard anything about US quarantines, have we?

Valid question...

[Judith Anne]

Say there, Laughs Last, I was going to ping you to the "Nurses Demand Danger Pay" thread I just put up (thanks to aristeides' link) but couldn't remember how to spell your screen name...;-D

[MeneMeneTekelUpharsin]

Here it is. LOL. I changed my tagline to: He who dies last, doesn't have friends who are alive.

[Judith Anne]

Okey-dokey.

[harpseal]

Regarding quarantines already some people are questioning the political correctness of quarantines. I note the University of California at Berkley has already rescinded its restrictions on stundents from SARS affected areas that they had institited just this Spring because of the emotional impact such restrictions would have on the students.

[aristeides]

PC kills. Maybe the PC folks' view of quarantines will be the last straw that kills PC.

SARS alert ignored: Nurses.

[Jim Noble]

Sounds like Dr. Gerberding is expecting US outbreaks

Well, with this as offical CDC guidance (5/14/03), I would certainly be expecting US outbreaks:

"Thousands of people arrive in the United States from areas where SARS outbreaks are occurring to participate in gatherings such as academic courses, business meetings, or sporting events. Guidance is needed to provide a consistent, rational approach to SARS prevention without unnecessarily stigmatizing these groups or interfering with collegial pursuits, commerce, and other important activities. At this time, CDC does not recommend canceling or postponing classes, meetings or other gatherings that will include persons traveling to the United States from areas with SARS"

(italics mine, bold CDC)

Wouldn't you?

[harpseal]

PC kills. Maybe the PC folks' view of quarantines will be the last straw that kills PC.

While I agree that Political correctness kills even that does not seem to stop PC. Case in point: The objections to sceening out Homosexual men from being blood donors.

[aristeides]

Oncologist battles SARS, assumptions: From her hospital bed in Toronto, a doctor wonders if medical establishment is right . More on the possibility of asymptomatic spread.

[harpseal]

This deserved its own thread.

Sars Alert Ignored .

[Nita Nupress]

So what's your gut feeling on this? You think it's going to become a full-blown problem here in the US? One thing's for sure, the new HIPPA regs can potentially add to the the spread of SARS here, at least initially.

If it didn't have the potential to affect me directly, it would be interesting to watch. As it is, I would say that "interesting" is the understatement of the year.

Maybe I'll rig up a decontamination shower outside the door to my house. ;-)

[Judith Anne]

Who can know the future?

I'm looking at all the SARS stories in my memory, all the things I've learned about how it spreads, and I'm also looking at hospitals from my own experience working in them. Bear in mind that all I am is a nurse, I make no policy, and I have no authority.

I think SARS will be THE story from about Thanksgiving onward in the US. I have a fear that the US will not be any more honest than any other country with SARS has been.

[per loin]

I have a fear that the US will not be any more honest than any other country with SARS has been.

We already are seeing that. The government is refusing to even say which hospitals or clinics are treating SARS patients. If that policy is not soon changed, the rumor mill takes over.

[Concentrate]

It seems apperent that measures strict enough to prevent SARS outbreaks in the US are not being taken. I hope to see that a high percentage of the population is either naturally immune or can handle the virus without too much permanent damage. Only when the virus runs its course through the population can we know how it will be for sure.

BTW, thanks for all of you input on these threads. I try to read them all and I'm quite afraid for all of us in the immediate future.

The news is not good, not good at all....