Actually, I think you missed where I noted it was one of two possibilities but no matter at this point ...

The key issue remains which is ... this was not a serious appointment by any measure or amount of rationalization to the contrary. Mr Klain was named to this job to make the issue go away politically. Do you really deny that?

I totally agree ... this should be treated as a medical issue, and not a political problem. I also think most people agree would agree with this assertion.

New England Journal of Medicine.
 

OCTOBER 16,2014
Ebola Virus Disease in West Africa — The First 9 Months of the Epidemic and Forward Projections

WHO Ebola Response Team
N Engl J Med 2014; 371:1481-1495October 16, 2014DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa1411100
http://www.nejm.org/templates/jsp/_s...on_comment.gif Comments open through October 22, 2014
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AbstractArticleReferencesCiting Articles (2) Comments (14)
Background

On March 23, 2014, the World Health Organization (WHO) was notified of an outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in Guinea. On August 8, the WHO declared the epidemic to be a “public health emergency of international concern.”
Full Text of Background...


Methods

By September 14, 2014, a total of 4507 probable and confirmed cases, including 2296 deaths from EVD (Zaire species) had been reported from five countries in West Africa — Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, and Sierra Leone. We analyzed a detailed subset of data on 3343 confirmed and 667 probable Ebola cases collected in Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone as of September 14.
Full Text of Methods...


Results

The majority of patients are 15 to 44 years of age (49.9% male), and we estimate that the case fatality rate is 70.8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 69 to 73) among persons with known clinical outcome of infection. The course of infection, including signs and symptoms, incubation period (11.4 days), and serial interval (15.3 days), is similar to that reported in previous outbreaks of EVD. On the basis of the initial periods of exponential growth, the estimated basic reproduction numbers (R0 ) are 1.71 (95% CI, 1.44 to 2.01) for Guinea, 1.83 (95% CI, 1.72 to 1.94) for Liberia, and 2.02 (95% CI, 1.79 to 2.26) for Sierra Leone. The estimated current reproduction numbers (R) are 1.81 (95% CI, 1.60 to 2.03) for Guinea, 1.51 (95% CI, 1.41 to 1.60) for Liberia, and 1.38 (95% CI, 1.27 to 1.51) for Sierra Leone; the corresponding doubling times are 15.7 days (95% CI, 12.9 to 20.3) for Guinea, 23.6 days (95% CI, 20.2 to 28.2) for Liberia, and 30.2 days (95% CI, 23.6 to 42.3) for Sierra Leone. Assuming no change in the control measures for this epidemic, by November 2, 2014, the cumulative reported numbers of confirmed and probable cases are predicted to be 5740 in Guinea, 9890 in Liberia, and 5000 in Sierra Leone, exceeding 20,000 in total.
Full Text of Results...


Conclusions

These data indicate that without drastic improvements in control measures, the numbers of cases of and deaths from EVD are expected to continue increasing from hundreds to thousands per week in the coming months.
Full Text of Discussion...


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Thank u for persistence, GG.
Wish u were Czar.

Yes. Why would the gvt. do one more thing that looks suspicious when they are so on the hot seat right now. Why would the current administration? I am looking for the proof of your statement. I get the feeling from your posts that you are very suspicious of any kind of government control. You accuse others of not knowing what they're talking about, when in fact they do.

Gracie, what do you think they mean by "control methods"? My take was they are talking about control at the source--enough beds, proper quarantine methods, and a possible vaccine.

I still don't believe we all need to close our doors and crawl under our beds. We need to do everything we can to help stop this at the source.

C. It is the virus I fear, and those handling the problem who don't understand fully any vermin they can't swat with a fly swatter.

I want medical people to handle this medical problem and use the others for the grunt work like closing doors, what doors to close, and how long the doors should be closed.

The World Health Organization agrees with the New England Jounal of Medicine
 

Bumping my own post for those who continue to minimalize the risk.

I have to say … when you post “Why would the gvt. do one more thing that looks suspicious when they are so on the hot seat right now. Why would the current administration?” that my eyebrows involuntarily raised up as in … did she really say that???

Regarding my reasoning, I invite you to reread earlier post regarding Mr. Klain’s appointment as Ebola Caar, and which I’ve reposted here for ease of reference.

“It occurred to me … if I was a senior official, and I had a problem, what type of person would I appoint to solve it? Well, obviously it would depend on the nature of the problem I had, wouldn’t it?

For example, if I had a military problem, it would make sense to appoint a military leader to solve it.

If I had a business problem, I would find an expert business leader to solve it.

Not surprisingly, if I had a medical problem I would appoint a doctor or medical administrator to get rid of the problem.

But, on the other hand, if I appointed a political operative, what does that say about how I view the nature of the problem I have to solve?”


Thus, if one simply refuses to acknowledge the obvious, to wit that Mr. Klain’s appointment is political intended to solve a political problem, and notwithstanding the circumstances of his background (ie bare knuckles politics), I can only conclude the refusal is based on grounds of (secular) faith, not reason.

Actually, you asked in one of your earlier posts why right of center people lack “faith” in the government’s ability etc. First of all, I would say faith is best reserved for one’s higher power, assuming one has one. But, to your point, I think the question is better asked as why people lack “trust.” Well, that’s pretty easy to answer. When the senior leader makes an obvious political appointment in the most cynical of ways, especially during a potential life/death matter such as Ebola, and where people are concerned for their safety, can you not see where trust is further shattered? The cynicism and crass calculations that led to such an appointment are glaring IMHO. I can recount other examples of shattering trust (ignoring immigration laws, and in effect allowing a terror army to arise after we had won the war in Iraq etc … but that would get us off thread so I’ll defer)

When people left of center then try to rationalize Klain’s appointment, or defend the indefensible with “hey, he’s a really good coordinator” or “he’s just the best at cutting thru red tape” and at the same time ignore the dysfunctional reporting structure (Klain reports to two staff officers, not even directly to POTUS), and overlook the lack of budgetary clout etc … yes, I repeat --- people saying that do not understand how DC really works. I will grant they may be unknowingly naïve because they’ve never worked there or, more likely, because their “faith” remains strong. It’s not an accusation, it’s simply a statement that reflects the reality of the situation.

The DC “czar strategy” is designed to make the credulous and lightly informed across the country feel better, “hey, he’s appointed a czar…problem solved!” It’s further designed to take the heat off senior appointed officials who actually have line management responsibility while they scramble to actually solve the problem. However, in this instance, it is also being done with an eye on the calendar for early November. If you deny that, there’s not much else that can be said. As I stated in an earlier post, this technique seems to fool the gullible pretty much every time it’s tried, and not just with this administration I might add.


Regarding one of you earlier posts, I asked you to explain why you think a travel ban is “simplistic” (ie your term) but you have not yet responded. I would really like to hear a brief summary of your reasoning which led you to that conclusion, and specifically to the term “simplistic.” This implies that you have a much more enlightened solution. Please share it.

Surgeon General
 

If the Surgeon General of the United States were a trained medical professional (doctor, nurse, etc) and a recognized expert in public health issues, There would be no need for a CZAR. Should we not have such a qualified person in office?

Can anyone name a Surgeon General who has served in the last 8-10 years?
I remember Koop but no others. He directed a major anti-smoking effort that was apparently quite efffective.

I have stated my feeling about this. As Madelaine Amee has stated, and I agree with her, the world is flat. Banning flights from those countries is not going to stop ebola from entering the country. People can enter the country in many different ways.

Stemming this epidemic at the source is what is going to stop ebola from entering this country, in my opinion.

You may have military experts who can oversee the broad field in a military operation (but I doubt that one, too) and business leaders who can see the whole picture of an ailing company, etc. etc. But as for a medical person being able to bring several agencies together and force them to communicate in an effective way? I doubt that. That's a communication problem, which has bee admitted, and it needs an expert in the field of communication. No one doctor has broad knowledge over all of this. The different fields need to come together to work on the problem--medical, military, public health, disease control.

It could be much better handled than it is now. Trouble is not over and the experts aren't on the team.

And BTW, let's not nitpick words. I have faith in the government just as I have faith in people around me who I love. And I trust the gvt. will get this right.

If I didn't have faith or trust in my government, I personally would live somewhere else. But I would rather live nowhere else but here, despite the few warts we may have.

No one said banning travel from the affected countries is going to stop Ebola 100%. But, it will obviously *reduce* it. It’s not about one perfect solution … it’s about a basket of common sense solutions that, take together, actually work. That’s why essentially every African country has banned travel. Senegal did it ASAP (I know because my son was there at the time) and so far it seems to have worked.

The argument that we need to stop Ebola at its source is fine, and I agree, but you seem to feel that we can only take one action, not multiple actions which makes no sense. I’m not trying to be insulting, but your argument is illogical.

I also fully agree that multiple fields need to come together to solve the problem … but that’s a given and true of any significant problem which crosses organization boundaries. But that premise by no means then leads to, ergo “…put a political operative in charge.”

Let me ask you, why is Secretary Burwell not “in charge?” She runs Health and Human Services, has 77,000 employees, has a trillion dollar budget and we pay her $200,000 per year. She can cross boundaries, butt heads if needed and get it done. Give her whatever help she needs. Leadership is what’s required, which includes communications skills etc. We do not need nor want politics. If she can’t display the needed leadership, fire her and get a new Secretary HHS. But right now, the Czar solution is not serious and, as I said, is obviously political in nature with an eye to diverting the credulous most especially before the election. This guy didn’t even show up for work until today and missed key meetings over the weekend.

It’s not nitpicking in the least … it zeros in on the key issue which is “trust" as in lack thereof. If leadership (in any organization) takes repeated actions which shatter trust, and continue to demonstrate untrustworthiness, you cannot expect faith to follow.

I have faith in the American people and key institutions (ie US military for one) but the current leaders have shown us they are not worthy of trust. I’m sure you love the country as much as I do … we just see things differently. When I see leaders in office (not just talking Federal) it’s precisely because of my love of country that I want to pursue electoral and other legal means to replace them with more qualified people who can regain my trust, and then hopefully my faith.

Again, stop the people, not the flights. They cannot come into the U.S. without a visa.

Latin American and Caribbean nations get it--that infecting the nursing, technical and medical staffs of the best hospitals the nation has will reduce the civil order to ruin and chaos!

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/nati...le3073953.html

"Stop the people, not the flights". Why would the flights continue to operate, if people are not allowed to fly on them? This doesn't make any sense.

The airlines that fly in and out of these three countries would probably like an excuse to stop servicing these routes, in order to protect their own employees and aircraft.

Ebola Patient Nina Pham's Dog, Bentley, Tests Negative for Virus - NBC News


Bentley, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel owned by Nina Pham, tested negative for the Ebola virus. He will continue his 21 day quarantine, under the watchful eye of animal services in Dallas.

Excellent news for all concerned.

There is no Surgeon General because of the usual gridlock in Washington.

Not being political just stating a fact.

It doesn't make any sense? I didn't say stop ALL the people on a flight.

Stop giving visas to the people who are disqualified at the Ebola screening entry points and disease testing results review at the Embassy, and rescind the visas of the 13,000 outstanding ones who fail to pass Ebola Screening/Testing by U.S. Consulates in their countries!

Duncan entered the U.S. on a Tourist visa!

From the U.S. Embassy in Liberia:

"All visitors to the United States Embassy – including visa applicants – must pass through security screening. Because of the outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in Liberia, visa applicants will be screened for symptoms of EVD and any visitor exhibiting symptoms of EVD will be required to leave the consular section. "

Nonimmigrant Visas | Embassy of the United States Monrovia, Liberia

Duncan had no symptoms the day he boarded the flight.

No his was much worse.

He knew he was exposed.
He knowingly lied to get aboard the plane in his own words to get treatment in the USA!!

[quote=billethkid;956475]No his was much worse.

He knew he was exposed.
He knowingly lied to get aboard the plane in his own

///

You need to be contacting the CDC, or Osha, or the Health Regulatory Board for your state, or JCAHO, or any other agency you can think of. I don't know if you would have to give your name (in case you are afraid of retribution). But even if your hospital gets angry, what is more important-you and your co-workers being protected from a potentially deadly disease??? or--losing your job? I don't think I would want to work for a hospital who doesn't seem to care about me. !!!!!!!!!!!! Or their patients.

He received the visa last year and showed the numerous largest risk factors for overstaying a tourist visa:

"Jessica Vaughn, a researcher affiliated with the nonprofit Center for Immigration Studies in Washington, said U.S. officials had made one “mistake” by issuing Duncan a visa last year and a second error by allowing him to enter the country.

“If you look at his circumstances, it should have been really tough for him to qualify for a visa,” Vaughn said. She noted that Duncan reportedly was single, jobless, living away from his home country and had a number of relatives in the U.S. — all factors that often indicate a person is unlikely to return home after their visa expires. “He clearly appears unqualified.”

Immigration critic says Liberian ebola patient should not have received U.S. visa - The Washington Post

What's the difference between Martial Law & Murphy's Law?

Answer: At least twice as much can go wrong under Martial Law.

"He clearly appears unqualified".... He had a son and was going to marry his girlfriend....the question is his girlfriend a citizen?

I think you might be a little off base with this claim. He was coming here to marry the mother of his child, the wedding had been setup. This is an article from the Wall Street Journal. If he thought he had been exposed to Ebola he would have said I have Ebola or I have been exposed to Ebola instead of what he said "I have been in West Africa"

Liberian

if you have an article to support he said "I came to the US for treatment" please share it.

If Mr. Duncan carried a dying pregnant woman who clearly had Ebola and he didn't know she had ebola even living in a village plagued by it then my guess is he probably didn't lie, but he sure was dumb.

Dumb and caring.

I merely parroted what was reported in the early days of his arrival.....by one of the national news networks.

And yes, after several days the information was never spoken about ever again.

More information that if in fact true merely adds to the volumes of errors made that ALLOWED this man into the country.....

No.

Yes I had heard that he carried a bleeding women but that report said she was having a miscarriage. No report I can find said that he came here for treatment which, I think, is confirmed by the fact didn't say he was exposed to Ebola. Had he said that he might be alive today.

My situation was not unique as I have nurse friends working in various hospitals that were experiencing the same concerns. Since my posting I had an opportunity to meet several times with my nurse manager as well as the chief MD of Primary Care to discuss my concerns and add my hopefully constructive input to the process of handling a suspected Ebola patient. Yesterday we had a department meeting, and I am actually pleased with the process that was presented. As it stands, unless a suspected patient somehow wanders to my office, the smart decision was made to have the infectious disease team take over all triaging and care planning of these patients.

I agree. But is this anything new? There are those who refuse to see ANY issue, not simply this one, in ANY terms OTHER THAN POLITICAL--and often these terms are selective! Their motivation is something I will never understand. Here are a few examples; this list could go on and on....

• If states have to raise their public university tuition charges, resulting in, say, working poor no longer able to send their children to college, this is an EDUCATIONAL and ECONOMIC issue--but there are those who see it ONLY in political terms.

• If an effort is made so that the U.S. will no longer be the last major first-world nation not to provide universal health care for its residents, this is a SOCIAL and MEDICAL issue--but there are those who see it ONLY in political terms.

• If a war is declared to rid a region of nonexistent weapons of mass destruction, this is a MILITARY issue--but there are those who see it ONLY in political terms.

I agree on this point too. But is THIS anything new (to some extent depending on the country)? The attitude, whether domestically or internationally, of "I have mine; the rest of you can go fly a kite [politely put though often not intended politely...]," continues to be alive and well. The very idea that we can even think in isolationist terms--that we can effectively put up a barrier to a virus at our borders (not necessarily ebola; could be influenza or any other serious disease)--is simply unrealistic, and not sharing resources goes beyond shortsightedness!


I had suggested in an earlier post that this position with the unlikely title of "czar" be researched, perhaps by a doctoral candidate, starting with President Reagan's appointment of the first "czar" (relating to the war on drugs, accompanied by the motto "Just say no!") right through to the present. I PARTIALLY agree with the first point in this quote--only partially, though, as the appointment may indeed be extremely effective:

• The DC “czar strategy” is designed to make the credulous and lightly informed across the country feel better, “hey, he’s appointed a czar…problem solved!”

And I partially agree with this second point--same reason as above, that is, the appointment may be extremely effective. Someone once sent me a YouTube video of interviews conducted during the Tea Party March on Washington several years ago, and in response to a comment (my wording may not be absolutely accurate) "We don't need no stinkin' czars," when the interviewer pointed out that the first appointee with the "czar" title had been made decades earlier by President Reagan, as mentioned above, the response was utter incredulity!

• As I stated in an earlier post, this technique seems to fool the gullible pretty much every time it’s tried, and not just with this administration I might add....

Notwithstanding this being a serious subject, thank you for a moment of lightness. We must always remember that "Murphy was an optimist"....

///

copied from Huffpost;

". He was exposed to Ebola days before his trip.
New York Times reporters have been able to pinpoint exactly when Duncan may have contracted Ebola. Just four days before his trip to the U.S., he had helped his neighbors transport Marthalene Williams, a sick pregnant woman, to and from a hospital. They were turned away from the hospital for lack of space, and Duncan had helped carry Williams from the car back to her house. She ended up dying early the next morning. "

Here is an article that explains how CDC has a wrongheaded focus on "social justice" (an oxymoron in any event) vs, applying sound science in support of the obvious to combat disease which in this instance would be to institute a travel ban. I term this most unfortunate mental paralysis "PCbola"

Infected by Politics by Heather Mac Donald, City Journal 21 October 2014

We have worries because anyone can come back without being in quarantine. This self testing catches it , but it is still here. We need to PREVENT it from coming, not simply catch it in early stages