Quote:
Originally Posted by sunnyatlast
Why so defensive?? My intent was to show a link to facts about how most people are contracting HIV since people above compared the 1980s onset epidemic to this Ebola epidemic. There is one difference with Ebola at this point in time in the US: epidemiologists fear it has gone or could go airborne, God forbid.
The link I posted earlier clearly explains that ominous possibility. Additionally, this info from CDC leaves room for fears of this virus being contracted by sitting beside a victim or touching surfaces where droplets may have landed and can live for several hours and could transmit by hands touching that and then touching facial orifices......
"Although coughing and sneezing are not common symptoms of Ebola, if a symptomatic patient with Ebola coughs or sneezes on someone, and saliva or mucus come into contact with that person’s eyes, nose or mouth, these fluids may transmit the disease.
What does “direct contact” mean?
Direct contact means that body fluids (blood, saliva, mucus, vomit, urine, or feces) from an infected person (alive or dead) have touched someone’s eyes, nose, or mouth or an open cut, wound, or abrasion.
How long does Ebola live outside the body?
Ebola is killed with hospital-grade disinfectants (such as household bleach). Ebola dried on surfaces such as doorknobs and countertops can survive for several hours; however, virus in body fluids (such as blood) can survive up to several days at room temperature. Q&As on Transmission | Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever | CDC Until it's determined it's definitely not airborne, quarantines are wisely being set, to avoid needless, unprotected exposures to a person with the disease. I don't see anybody pro-quarantine who is making it a "moral" (puritanical sexual) issue as someone above implied. |
I admit I was vary.... The comparison in response by the White House in both cases is to be expected. For example during the hight of the AIDS crisis some members of Congress called for detention camps to house homosexuals. At that time no one knew what caused AIDS. It seemed to be limited to GAYS and Haitians. Then President Reagan did nothing as thousands died and now we have 3 cases with only 1 death and the White House response is not enough.
So far there is NO evidence Ebola is an airborne disease...none of the Duncan family members got Ebola even though they were in very close quarters. The Lab Tech, my job for 40 years, was put in lockdown because she might have handled a specimen.
There seems to be a bit of an over reaction.....to the facts.