I have decided I am sane and therefore it must be the world that is crazy. OK, not the whole world; fortunately I do know other sane people. Yes, it's subjective--but I'm certain I'm right.
Americans have gone stark raving mad about the Ebola virus threat. This includes people I normally see as intelligent and clear thinking are talking about not shaking hands, not traveling by air, liberal use of sanitizing gel and avoiding everyone who has traveled by plane ever. Plush Ebola toys have been manufactured and are out of stock. Of course, it is highly political. From the right wing we know it is a plot by Obama (although I'm not clear on the purpose of this plot); the CDC doesn't know what they're doing; he should have appointed an "Ebola Czar" and the one he appointed is clearly not qualified..
The scientific facts don't seem to concern anyone espousing these beliefs. I am back in time to the early 80s when it was dangerous to touch a gay person because you could catch AIDS. Anyone who had sex with more than one person, ever, was terrified, and people found every avenue to get secretly tested. Feelings about Ebola, so far, seem more representative of xenophobia than homophobia. But the right wing speculators are working diligently to affix the blame to someone they perceive as left wing (Obama will do for now).
Diseases and epidemics have existed as long as there has been life on this planet. In the past, this has had the capability of decimating populations. In parts of Africa, where medical knowledge and treatment availability is limited, this is still a possibility. However, western medicine is now able to contain contagion and successfully treat affected individuals. I am confident this current epidemic will eventually fade into history and eventually become just another treatable disease.
No question that sensible precautions should always be taken. Even before this, infections have been rampant in the health care field. Hospitals are the biggest sources of infections such as MRSA (methicillin resistant staphylococcus). Training and oversight are emphasized and use PPEs (personal protective equipment--gowns, masks, face shields) are to be stringently enforced whenever there is potential exposure to blood and bodily fluids. So, it seems like common sense would dictate that your risk is quite low if you are not a health care worker, have not been to West Africa, and have no symptoms whatsoever. I'm afraid, though, regardless of all these facts the games will continue to be played.
On a totally separate subject, a woman in Florida is still fighting for her freedom because she tried to keep herself from being killed by her violently abusive husband. The man has a well documented history of violence and abuse of women, yet he walks the streets freely, while she is under house arrest. Maybe that's just Florida, but it seems like the number of crazy state is increasing exponentially.
I'm thinking of avoiding the news and all potentially controversial conversations with humans, but I'm open to suggestions.
Americans have gone stark raving mad about the Ebola virus threat. This includes people I normally see as intelligent and clear thinking are talking about not shaking hands, not traveling by air, liberal use of sanitizing gel and avoiding everyone who has traveled by plane ever. Plush Ebola toys have been manufactured and are out of stock. Of course, it is highly political. From the right wing we know it is a plot by Obama (although I'm not clear on the purpose of this plot); the CDC doesn't know what they're doing; he should have appointed an "Ebola Czar" and the one he appointed is clearly not qualified..
The scientific facts don't seem to concern anyone espousing these beliefs. I am back in time to the early 80s when it was dangerous to touch a gay person because you could catch AIDS. Anyone who had sex with more than one person, ever, was terrified, and people found every avenue to get secretly tested. Feelings about Ebola, so far, seem more representative of xenophobia than homophobia. But the right wing speculators are working diligently to affix the blame to someone they perceive as left wing (Obama will do for now).
Diseases and epidemics have existed as long as there has been life on this planet. In the past, this has had the capability of decimating populations. In parts of Africa, where medical knowledge and treatment availability is limited, this is still a possibility. However, western medicine is now able to contain contagion and successfully treat affected individuals. I am confident this current epidemic will eventually fade into history and eventually become just another treatable disease.
No question that sensible precautions should always be taken. Even before this, infections have been rampant in the health care field. Hospitals are the biggest sources of infections such as MRSA (methicillin resistant staphylococcus). Training and oversight are emphasized and use PPEs (personal protective equipment--gowns, masks, face shields) are to be stringently enforced whenever there is potential exposure to blood and bodily fluids. So, it seems like common sense would dictate that your risk is quite low if you are not a health care worker, have not been to West Africa, and have no symptoms whatsoever. I'm afraid, though, regardless of all these facts the games will continue to be played.
On a totally separate subject, a woman in Florida is still fighting for her freedom because she tried to keep herself from being killed by her violently abusive husband. The man has a well documented history of violence and abuse of women, yet he walks the streets freely, while she is under house arrest. Maybe that's just Florida, but it seems like the number of crazy state is increasing exponentially.
I'm thinking of avoiding the news and all potentially controversial conversations with humans, but I'm open to suggestions.
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