With the news that a nurse who took care of an ebola patient has contracted the disease in the U.S., there is more reason for concern. We are supposed to have the necessary precautions in place to prevent the spread of the disease to health care workers here. The two patients that were brought back to the U.S. were successfully treated and none of the caretakers contracted the disease. So it is apparent the precautions in place worked. But until we figure out what error or errors were committed in the latest case, it is a bit worrisome. After all, humans make errors even if we are trained and are careful.
At least we know that the virus spread only by close contact when a patient has symptoms. I think screening at airport is reasonable. It shouldn't take too long to take the temperature of a passenger as he walks through customs. This was done in Asia during the SARS epidemic. It is not 100% effective but I think it at least give travelers a sense of assurance and stop people like Rand Paul who wants to limit traveling from certain areas of Africa to the U.S.
I think of more immediate concern is the spread of enterovirus D68. Unlike ebola, D68 can be spread by air. This is means that one can be several feet away and still catch it. D68 is already in almost every state so we can't screen people by travel history like ebola. The symptoms are flu like and we are in the flu season so it is difficult to differentiate it from the flu. Hope people take their children to get the flu shot so that doctors know that it is less likely to be the flu when the kid comes in with flu like symptoms. It is going to be tough winter for pediatricians and ER doctors!
On a light note, here in LA, the management of the Dodgers and Angels are under fire for losing in the first round of the playoff. I am sure that is similar in Detroit. There are mistakes by management to be sure. But ultimately it is the players who win or lose. I mean the difference between winning and losing in the playoffs seems most correlated with relief pitching. That is almost impossible to predict before and even during the season. Who knew before the season that Brian Wilson couldn't be a set up man? Who knew that the pitchers of the Royals would be so good? Last season the Red Sox beat the Tigers because of the bullpen. This season the Red Sox relievers are terrible. So I think if a GM can put together a team that win the division, it is hard to fault him for losing a short series playoff.
MSU is getting closer with the results over the weekend. Too bad Baylor pulled it out. How are the Red Wings going to be this season?
Sunday, October 12, 2014
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We actually might have something to disagree on for once! I actually think that there should be a travel restriction for people leaving parts, if not all, of Africa and that people flying to Africa should go at their own risk. I would support a full screening before a passenger is allowed to travel, not just the taking of temperature.
ReplyDeleteIs there a blood test that can be done?
I don't know if the screenings are 100% accurate. What is needed, is a cure that can be administered on-site. But at this point, it's not possible.
Now, I know that I sound hypocritical regarding D68. I don't know how you could even begin to stop travel in regards to this. Michigan already had a little girl die from this. It'll be interesting to see how this is handled. At least there are ways to cure it, but you are right, it is difficult to differentiate.
I feel for the Dodgers. They spent a ton of money and they get bounced early. Not much you can do. Management tries to bring in players that should help. It's the same with the Tigers. In the end, it comes down to coaching and execution.
I was not happy with the Baylor game. Total choke job by TCU. Another game that I was watching was Notre Dame. No way they should have won that game. Some real questionable calls at the end.
MSU does have its problems. I don't really view them as top 4, but I think they deserve it, if, and it's a big if, they can win out. You never know with college football. Anything can happen.
Red Wings are on the bubble of making the playoffs again. If they stay healthy, I think they can make it. Let's not kid ourselves and say that they are full of superstars. It's a decent team with some aging stars. Jimmy Howard, the goalie, is OK. He's not the best and he's not the worst.
I saw that the Lakers were losing big to Golden State. How has Lin looked? I still think they need a big man. But it sounds like they are not quite jelling as a team yet. But I guess that is what preseason is for.
Sounds like LeBron had the same problem with the first game.
-LBOAYM
I think preventing people traveling to and from Africa is going too far at this time. There are only 3 countries in real trouble right now: Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea. Not too many people come from these countries come to the U.S. unless they have American passports or business people. Too much restriction will decrease health care workers and scientists going there to help stop the epidemic. Unless the disease is stopped at the origin, it is likely to spread to elsewhere. Since the symptoms don't start till about 21 days after contact, it is hard to screen. Direct flights to the U.S. are few anyway so Europe and Asian countries will have to restrict them as well. With the SARS epidemic there was no restriction from Asia and it was stopped in couple of months. Of course, Asia is much more advance in health care than Africa.
ReplyDeleteWith these highly contagious diseases, I think we need to have specialized hospitals and transportation system so that if a patient is suspecting he has one of these disease, he can call a hot line and if sounds suspicious, a special ambulance will pick him up to a particular hospital. Right now someone goes to a hospital by regular ambulance or car means the vehicle must be decontaminated and all contacts along the way be isolated. The hospital may not have adequate training for these situations. But at this point unless things get more out of hand it is hard to justify specialized hospitals and ambulances.
Lin was fine against GS in the first game. I think he played Curry even. Nash didn't play the first GS game. Lin sprained his ankle and didn't play yesterday. Curry made Nash looked like a 50 year old. Of course, Curry can make a lot of people look bad but it is obvious Nash has no chance against the better guards. Lin definitely should play the majority of the minutes at pg. The Lakers have no front court and no 3 point shooters unless you count Nash. Kobe is still good but he can't drive anymore so he depends on post up jumpers. So when he was not on yesterday and Lin is not there they looked really bad. I think Lin and Kobe will have good stats but they can't make the playoffs with this roster.