Governments to "Share" Emergency Health Information BEFORE Public Release in US, Canada and Mexico

The US and Canada are prepping for more MERS cases - and have signed a trilateral Health Agreement with Mexico to "share communications plans and statements with one another before releasing them to the public" during "health emergencies."

Whaaa?!

Meanwhile, Al Jazeera reports that MERS is airborne. …Chikungunya Virus is hitting Florida and reports on the Ebola epidemic in Guinea+ remain unreliable.

US, Canada, Mexico agree to share health emergency communications

The US, Canadian, and Mexican governments formally agreed yesterday that during health emergencies they will share communications plans and statements with one another before releasing them to the public.

The three countries signed a declaration of intent on the subject at the 67th World Health Assembly in Geneva, according to an announcement from the Canadian government.

"Infectious diseases are not limited by countries' borders, and neither are the ways through which we receive the news," Canadian Minister of Health Rona Ambrose stated in the announcement. "This Declaration will help our countries work together on the essential task of communicating more effectively on public health issues, which will protect the health of all of our citizens."

The declaration of intent calls on the three countries to "share public communications plans, statements and other communications products related to health emergencies with each other prior to their public release." In addition, the agreement calls for conducting annual joint communications exercises to improve coordination.

Canadian agency calls for preventive equipment for MERS

Coordinating CDC’s emergency response to the deadly MERS virus

Special Report : Saudi Arabia takes heat for spread of MERS virus

Al Jazeera reports that MERS is airborne

Mosquitos spreading extremely debilitating Chikungunya Virus through Caribbean and Florida

3rd MERS Case in the US: Silent Transmission, No Symptoms

And?

It has always been like that. Occassionally a step will be missed and the media gets it first, but any public release follows an approval pecking order before being released.

a reply to: soficrow

Hmmm. We're facing looming health emergencies and pandemics - our governments have agreed NOT to keep us informed 'til they get together on their stories - and nobody here cares? ...Not the ATS I used to know.

a reply to: soficrow
Sure. Much better to have people get some incomplete information, misinterpret it, and start running around in circles about it.

Of course, that never happens. Especially on ATS.

Yeah, that sounds about right. Remember though, mushrooms don't need to know. If you try to find if there is anything in your area, you often can't. The local health department has to have permission from above to release that info. The info usually goes up the ladder but often does not leave the ladder till it gets to the top.

If you know someone in the right position at your local health department well, they may tell you. When my wife worked there she would often tell me about some non-personal stuff but would always tell me I couldn't tell anyone. Non-disclosure agreements.

Since when does the government have the right to conspire with foreign governments to keep the public uninformed?
Did I miss another NDAA paragraph or two?
Stalin would be proud..............

originally posted by: nixie_nox
And?

It has always been like that.

Really? Sources? Curious 'cuz the news report says the US-Canada-Mexico deal is brand new.

originally posted by: Phage
a reply to: soficrow
Sure. Much better to have people get some incomplete information, misinterpret it, and start running around in circles about it.

The reason people do not know enough to verify information and fill in gaps is because TPTB are so committed to keeping the masses ignorant. And because it's politically expedient to do so.

...Ie. Information about the Ebola epidemic that recently started in Guinea would never have come to light except that Doctors Without Borders had to publicize the situation just to get help. 'Course they have a tight gag order on now.

Sixteen being monitored for deadly camel virus MERS after sharing flight with infected man

Sixteen people in LA County are being monitored by doctors after fears they may have been exposed to the deadly Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, or MERS.

….scientists still have no idea how people are getting infected, whether by eating camel meat, or drinking the milk, touching blood or other body fluids, or simply being nearby when they cough or sneeze.
There is also no good data on how many people may be catching the virus but showing no or few symptoms, or how to successfully treat patients who get sick with MERS.
'There is so much missing in our knowledge of this infection after 20 months - whether it be the epidemiology, the transmission routes, the virology, or behavioural change,' said Jeremy Farrar, an infectious disease specialist and director of the Wellcome Trust international charity.

Worried about MERS? Worry about polio instead

Some pundits believe a pandemic or two might solve immigration problems, and the world's overpopulation "problem" too. And of course, the strategy would work best on an uninformed public.

[url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/10847344/Jean-Marie-Le-Pen-Ebola-epidemic-would-solve-immigration-problems.html]Jean- Marie Le Pen: Ebola epidemic would solve immigration problems[/url

a reply to: soficrow

Some pundits believe a pandemic or two might solve immigration problems, and the world's overpopulation "problem" too.

Idiotic statements from Le Pen aside, maybe you better check the definitions of pandemic vs epidemic. The article you quoted is about epidemics but I will admit the difference can be subtle. Don't see how a pandemic would help France's immigration problem.
Le Pen

How can not creating a panic about a disease help its spread? How can allowing rumors to spread help limit it?

a reply to: Phage

The obvious way to prevent rumors from spreading is to prohibit free speech. An alternative is to educate people - learning curves aside, rumors only flourish in populations without free access to information and education.

fyi - Le Pen is not the only idiot who believes a pandemic will "solve the world's overpopulation problem" - evidence abounds on ATS alone. also fyi - I do not need to check the definitions of pandemic v/s epidemic. But I have no doubt you will benefit from a refresher course on logical fallacies.




Ed to add: Uh oh.

Democrats to Repeal First Amendment

a reply to: soficrow

An alternative is to educate people - learning curves aside, rumors only flourish in populations without free access to information and education.

And that is exactly what the concerned agencies want to do. They also want to make sure that consistent information is released in communications to the public. Inconsistent information leads to confusion and rumor.

Share public communications plans, statements and other communications products related to health emergencies with each other prior to their public release;

news.gc.ca...

a reply to: Phage

Hmm. Seems to me "consistency" relies on lack of detail and inaccuracy. Cool that they're "harmonizing" information control and not just laws though. [/sarcasm]

imho - Inconsistent information leads to further research (or it should, anyway).

a reply to: soficrow

Inconsistent information leads to further research (or it should, anyway).

What is being coordinated is how information about public health information is released to the public. Inconsistency in this can lead to confusion and rumor.

“The United States, Canada and Mexico have had a long and close relationship in supporting and improving our collective ability to respond to public health events and emergencies of mutual interest when they arise,” Secretary Sebelius said. “This declaration reinforces our joint efforts to strengthen our national capabilities to communicate effectively with our respective populations.”

a reply to: Phage

PS. PS. We're not talking "concerned agencies" - this is about governments complying with the "harmonization" clause(s) in the "Free" Trade Agreement - and no doubt, tightening the gags on our scientists.

Canadian scientists protest government muzzling of researchers

Gagging order on scientists probing dolphin deaths as U.S.

A newly retired muzzled Canadian scientist speaks out.

9/11: NY Firefighter Admits Gag Order on Video Tape- More Than Once

U.S. Still Silencing Scientists

a reply to: soficrow

We're not talking "concerned agencies" - this is about governments complying with the "harmonization" clause(s) in the "Free" Trade Agreement - and no doubt, tightening the gags on our scientists.

It has nothing to do with NAFTA. And it has nothing to do with "gaggin" science. It's about communications to the public about public health measures in the case of health emergencies or events.

Notwithstanding the provisions of this Declaration of Intent, each Participant may diverge from the advance notice provisions if urgent communication needs require. The Participants understand that coordinating and providing public information and communications products is not intended to require the consent of the other Participants prior to disclosure.

www.hhs.gov...

originally posted by: Phage
a reply to: soficrow

Inconsistent information leads to further research (or it should, anyway).

What is being coordinated is how information about public health information is released to the public. Inconsistency in this can lead to confusion and rumor.

Gotcha. They're getting their stories straight before they testify.

....This involves the politicization of "public health information" - and marketing public health information - not a commitment to accuracy. I have faith in my own abilities to sort through contradictions and inconsistencies - I don't need the pap, and certainly don't appreciate it.

I care that our scientists are muzzled, gagged and neutralized to further idiots' political agendas.

a reply to: soficrow

They're getting their stories straight before they testify.

Testify? No. Before they make public announcements about public health matters.

I have faith in my own abilities to sort through contradictions and inconsistencies - I don't need the pap, and certainly don't appreciate it.

What pap? But good for you. Judging from a lot of topics on ATS, you're an exception.

I care that our scientists are muzzled, gagged and neutralized to further idiots' political agendas.

You didn't read it, did you?

originally posted by: Phage
a reply to: soficrow

They're getting their stories straight before they testify.

Testify? No. Before they make public announcements.

Play on words. Literary device.

What pap? But good for you. Judging from a lot of topics on ATS, you're an exception.

Didn't used to be - says more about the new revised ATS than the general population. I hope.

You didn't read it, did you?

Read between the lines, relied on my experience, knowledge and instincts. Whenever politicians and bureaucrats control information there is an agenda. You should know that. Also, this business of gagging and muzzling scientists is proceeding on every front - to political purpose.