Economic and societal implications of ebola

[+and-then]

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-10-16/dallas-county-considers-declaring-state-of-disaster-from-ebola.html

I know there are several threads already on this topic but seeing this news made me want to explore how everyone thinks/feels ebola will impact the US from a purely economic/societal pov. If the couple of cases becomes a cluster and non healthcare workers begin falling ill, what will that do to the economy? How will fear of infection impact everyday lives of citizens?

[acidhead]

I expected this kind of fear porn thread from you earlier. You're getting slow my friend.

[Likely Guy]

"Fear porn".

That's not a phrase that I'm familiar with. I'd like to explore it, but I'm afraid to.

[Likely Guy]

How will fear of infection impact everyday lives of citizens?

The usual. People stocking water, generators, fuel, firearms, bullets, canned food, etc. For the purveyors of doom, it'll be a booming business. (Remember Y2K and 2012?)

The price will go up, as the panic goes up.

This is chickens running around with their head cut off in a coal mine. In the mean time the canaries are fine.

[Sakari]

5 diseases Americans should fear way more than Ebola

News that two American aid workers who were infected with the Ebola virus are being provided treatment in Atlanta has sparked some people to panic. The decision to use Emory University Hospital, where Dr Kent Brantly arrived on Saturday and where Nancy Writebol will be treated starting today, has sparked what Dr Tom Frieden, director of the Atlanta-based US Centers for Disease Control (CDC), people to send “nasty emails” and some 100 calls questioning the decision.

“So it’s not going to spread widely in the U.S. Could we have another person here, could we have a case or two? Not impossible,” said Frieden. “We say in medicine never say never. But we know how to stop it here. But to really protect ourselves, the single most important thing we can do is stop it at the source in Africa. That’s going to protect them and protect us.”

He admits that Ebola is very scary. Heck, everyone will agree with him on that point. Dr Brantley had to enter the country wearing a protective suit surrounded by people in protective suits. He now sits in an infectious disease portion of the hospital where numerous precautionary measures are taken to prevent the spread of Ebola. Fears of Ebola are founded in the fact that it spreads relatively easily and is a brutal killer of most people who contract it. Though, thanks to Hollywood and a lack of understanding how Ebola works, there are some misconceptions about the virus.

For instance, Ebola is spread through body fluids. Meaning you pretty much have to touch someone who has it. That is not the only way to get it, but that is the gist. It is nothing like the movie Outbreak where Kevin Spacey’s character catches the virus because his suit rips. There is also a scene in the same film where the doctors realize that it is spreading throughout the hospital via the ventilation system. If that were the case, then Ebola would be even scarier and bringing someone with the virus into the country would be far more complicated.

That just isn’t the case.

Furthermore, in the impossibly small chance that Ebola does spread in the US, health systems here are far better than in West Africa. Highly trained infectious disease experts would be able to quickly respond to an outbreak and isolate it before it became an epidemic. US healthcare is pretty flawed, but we have the resources to deal with Ebola.

With all of that said, there are some things you should be worried about that are a real threat to you. Before raining down all the doom and gloom, there is good news. The problems caused by these infections and diseases can be avoided or severely mitigated if preventative action is undertaken. I’m not talking about eating kale and anti-oxidants. The Ebola outbreak shows just how important global health investments are for American citizens.

more......

http://www.humanosphere.org/global-health/2014/08/5-diseases-americans-fear-way-ebola/

[+and-then]

"Fear porn".

That's not a phrase that I'm familiar with. I'd like to explore it, but I'm afraid to.

Same old same old with the guy - he's just a jerk. It's a reasonable topic for anyone not brain dead complacent.

[+and-then]

5 diseases Americans should fear way more than Ebola

News that two American aid workers who were infected with the Ebola virus are being provided treatment in Atlanta has sparked some people to panic. The decision to use Emory University Hospital, where Dr Kent Brantly arrived on Saturday and where Nancy Writebol will be treated starting today, has sparked what Dr Tom Frieden, director of the Atlanta-based US Centers for Disease Control (CDC), people to send “nasty emails” and some 100 calls questioning the decision.

“So it’s not going to spread widely in the U.S. Could we have another person here, could we have a case or two? Not impossible,” said Frieden. “We say in medicine never say never. But we know how to stop it here. But to really protect ourselves, the single most important thing we can do is stop it at the source in Africa. That’s going to protect them and protect us.”

He admits that Ebola is very scary. Heck, everyone will agree with him on that point. Dr Brantley had to enter the country wearing a protective suit surrounded by people in protective suits. He now sits in an infectious disease portion of the hospital where numerous precautionary measures are taken to prevent the spread of Ebola. Fears of Ebola are founded in the fact that it spreads relatively easily and is a brutal killer of most people who contract it. Though, thanks to Hollywood and a lack of understanding how Ebola works, there are some misconceptions about the virus.

For instance, Ebola is spread through body fluids. Meaning you pretty much have to touch someone who has it. That is not the only way to get it, but that is the gist. It is nothing like the movie Outbreak where Kevin Spacey’s character catches the virus because his suit rips. There is also a scene in the same film where the doctors realize that it is spreading throughout the hospital via the ventilation system. If that were the case, then Ebola would be even scarier and bringing someone with the virus into the country would be far more complicated.

That just isn’t the case.

Furthermore, in the impossibly small chance that Ebola does spread in the US, health systems here are far better than in West Africa. Highly trained infectious disease experts would be able to quickly respond to an outbreak and isolate it before it became an epidemic. US healthcare is pretty flawed, but we have the resources to deal with Ebola.

With all of that said, there are some things you should be worried about that are a real threat to you. Before raining down all the doom and gloom, there is good news. The problems caused by these infections and diseases can be avoided or severely mitigated if preventative action is undertaken. I’m not talking about eating kale and anti-oxidants. The Ebola outbreak shows just how important global health investments are for American citizens.

more......

http://www.humanosph...fear-way-ebola/

50% to 70% MORTALITY. I'll take dengue fever anyday.

[acidhead]

Same old same old with the guy - he's just a jerk. It's a reasonable topic for anyone not brain dead complacent.

Yes. This is the result of brain damage.

Edited October 16, 2014 by acidhead

[Likely Guy]

Yeah, if you two agreed on any subject, matter and anti-matter would collide.

So, it's probably better that you two don't associate.

[Sir Wearer of Hats]

50% to 70% MORTALITY. I'll take dengue fever anyday.

50% to 70% mortality rate IN AFRICA.

In Western Countries it seems to be closer to 30%.

[Likely Guy]

50% to 70% mortality rate IN AFRICA.

In Western Countries it seems to be closer to 30%.

Well, thanks for that, just the same, Sir WoH. But, that's still not what can be considered a 'rosey concept'.

Edited October 16, 2014 by Likely Guy

[Sir Wearer of Hats]

Well, thanks for that, just the same, Sir WoH. But, that's still not what can be considered a 'rosey concept'.

Influenza has a 30% mortality rate...AIDS has a 100% Mortality rate.

[Lilly]

Influenza has a 30% mortality rate...AIDS has a 100% Mortality rate.

But...you can get a vaccine for most strains of influenza and you can readily control who you have sex with. BTW, with modern drugs HIV+ is no longer 100% fatal (won't always lead to AIDs). I think the fear here comes from the lack of control we may face if ebola becomes an epidemic (ie, the virus can live on surfaces and we currently have no vaccine).

[Sir Wearer of Hats]

But...you can get a vaccine for most strains of influenza and you can readily control who you have sex with. BTW, with modern drugs HIV+ is no longer 100% fatal (won't always lead to AIDs). I think the fear here comes from the lack of control we may face if ebola becomes an epidemic (ie, the virus can live on surfaces and we currently have no vaccine).

It's on a surface?

Gloves and "can Glen20 kill it?".

Fear, as the greem muppet said, from ignorance grows.

[Lilly]

It's on a surface?

Gloves and "can Glen20 kill it?".

You kinda have to know the virus is there (where on what surface) in order to disinfect/kill it. Are you planning on disinfecting every surface you come in contact with? Or, just wear a hazmat suit while on your next plane flight? See what I mean?

Fear, as the greem muppet said, from ignorance grows.

Well, ignorance is also bliss...but bliss ain't gonna protect you from ebola.

Edited October 16, 2014 by Lilly
clarification

[Sir Wearer of Hats]

You kinda have to know the virus is there in order to disinfect/kill it. Are you planning on disinfecting every surface you come in contact with? Or, just wear a hazmat suit while on your next plane flight? See what I mean?

I'm a school teacher, I already DO do the former

[preacherman76]

I expected this kind of fear porn thread from you earlier. You're getting slow my friend.

Its too early to say whether or not there is real reason to fear this. But if these guys are right, and its now totally airborne, folks are gonna start dropping dead soon.

http://www.inquisitr.com/1541821/ebola-is-airborne-university-of-minnesota-cidrap-researchers-claim/

We will see what happens over the next couple weeks.

[Lilly]

The people who are currently coming down with ebola have had direct contact with someone sick. There's nothing that indicates the virus is airbourne.

[Lilly]

The boyfriend of one of the stricken nurses has now tested positive for ebola as well. I wonder how many people he's been in close contact with? Add this to the passengers from the plane the nurse traveled on...how many of them were exposed? It's just too risky to allow anyone that's been exposed loose in society until the incubation period has passed.

[+and-then]

The boyfriend of one of the stricken nurses has now tested positive for ebola as well. I wonder how many people he's been in close contact with? Add this to the passengers from the plane the nurse traveled on...how many of them were exposed? It's just too risky to allow anyone that's been exposed loose in society until the incubation period has passed.

Yes, and THIS is what the thread was anticipating - the reactions of people to this disease, positive or negative.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2014/10/16/after-concern-about-ebola-patients-flight-schools-close-in-two-cities/

How long before the economy begins to take a hit if 2 becomes 3 then 6...

[Rafterman]

I expected this kind of fear porn thread from you earlier. You're getting slow my friend.

Fear porn is a fantastic word for it.

[DONTEATUS]

The Fear Porn Police will soon be knocking on a door near you Im affaraid ! But Have no Fear,For The Virus is easly killed by Bleach,and or Salt water, Remember Salt water kills even the nastiest monsters ! Or Some other mutation of the virus will take over, the bottom Line is If you eat your Habaneros and B.B.Q you will be fine ! Dallas is my Home. So If you dont see me post in 20 days or so THen I would get really worried ! Fearbola Central & Out Man ! So Long and thanks for all the B.B.Q ! or was that "Fish" ?

[Merc14]

Ebola is definitely effecting airlines with stocks tumbling 4%-6% yesterday on news that the second afflicted nurse was flying with a fever after treating an ebola patient. http://news.kron4.co...airline-stocks/

Edited October 16, 2014 by Merc14

[Jeremiah65]

Here's my fear porn and doom for the day prediction...

This could potentially be economic doom for the civilized world.

I won't repeat myself as I gave reasons in another thread...but in a nutshell...loss of GDP because of fear and people stop traveling, people don't go to work, actual death tolls effect agriculture and food preparation/stocking, costs to contain/quarantine...etc...etc...etc.

Yes....

The price for NOT doing things would be catastrophic...but...the cost for doing what eventually must be done is a going to be huge and crushing

[DONTEATUS]

IT will most likely all blow over in a few weeks, After all the Christmas add`s start up again ! Nothing beats a Downer like Good Old Captialism !