Mandatory Quarantine for Ebola Aid Workers

Yes,
This quarantine has been brought to you by our new sponsor in New York City, Ebowla - Rama !

Can ebola be transferred in ball holes, rental shoes and little yellow pencils?

Aint it great when government has your back?

a reply to: badgerprints

Can ebola be transferred in ball holes, rental shoes and little yellow pencils?

It can survive on surfaces for a couple hours according to major health organizations. Its funny I found one man on a BBC Ebola page saying he doesnt imagine it could survive for more than a couple minutes. He was the source for the article about Ebola prevention...LOL

Its not easy to get, but if you touch even the sweat of a feverish person you need to get help soon. Your skin doesnt protect you from it.

Just to throw some more paranoia in the mix- what if this doctor developing a fever is just a testament to this new mandate working as intended? We'll have to wait for the test results. If they're negative and we don't hear about it after they parade this as a system working we'll know something is up. I don't necessarily think this is true, just an appealing train of thought.

Everything is safe, look, NJ prevented a case. Carry on in safety, citizens.

EDIT: For the record I am with a HCW quarantine, I think 21 days isn't long enough. These people have risked their asses and deserve all the respect in the world, I would hope that they understand not risking the well being of others unintentionally.

MSF can afford to buy Hotel Ebola and put everyone up with 5 star meals for a month.

Thanks for the thread. I've had a couple of really, really busy days and haven't had a chance to catch up on the news via ATS. I find this move by the governors heartening. Just yesterday I was talking with a local elected official who pointed out that it was the governors who actually hold the power in cases where public health is concerned---and rightly so, apparently, since the feds can't seem to drag their attention away from the up-coming elections. He pointed out that it is the duty of the head of local government actually, as in counties' health departments to make such determinations. The information he offered to me matched exactly what my friend in public health told me, that the county can declare an emergency and ask for the governor to make a statewide declaration if the problem exists in other counties. My friend who spent a good many years in public health fled from Dallas with his wife, daughter and grandchildren when ebola came there and he saw the lack of reaction by public health officials and the contaminated hospital. The attitude that it was more important to get good press out of this than to actually protect the staff and the public scared him right back to his home in Kentucky.
My guess would be that someone with some working brain cells and no political ambitions had a chat with these governors. I'm not sure about how NY and NJ public health laws read but in KY the hospital must notify the local health department if such a disease presents in their facility. In turn, the local health department must notify the state health department of the occurrence and the state reports it to the feds. But the authority to quarantine lies in the hands of the local department of health, they don't actually need even the state's approval, just a test result showing the presence of the deadly disease. The head of the county health department can ask for a declaration of emergency, the county executive signs the order and the county sheriff carries out the order to quarantine. However, if the declaration is strictly for one county, the county bears the total financial burden of the costs of the quarantine. If the declaration is from the state parts of the costs of quarantine may be absorbed by the state.
The announcement that troops from Ft. Campbell, KY will be sent to Liberia for several weeks then returned to the base, officials in the counties surrounding the base have been pulling out their disaster preparedness plans for disease and refreshing their plans.
Everyone I've spoken with about this situation is as surprised as I was upon finding out that no sort of quarantine even existed for these people coming back. I can't find anyone who can say just how many US workers are there and how many have cycled through without any problems. How many did voluntarily quarantine for the required time? It would only be using common sense. If common sense fails then the law must step in. I commend these men for their actions and continue to lift prayers for all those who must deal with this mess.

a reply to: drwill

Gupta is a tool! Needless to say I dont predict any balls standing up here in Atlanta....between CNN and the CDC we will be screwed if it lands here. Finally a politician does the right thing, not the public health people but a politician!

GREAT JOB NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY!!!

originally posted by: ~Lucidity
a reply to: Anyafaj

My thoughts? Both NYC and NJ have been through a lot since 9/11 and through Hurricane Sandy and are not going to sit around waiting from someone to do something FOR them. They just decided to do it themselves and not wait around for the bureaucratic, paralyzed worthless dweebs in DC decided on something.

Hoping the rest of the country takes a hint.

I will hold my breath for now. The man has been shown not to be trusted (Andy Cuomo). He is quick to enact things that violate our constitutional rights, my questions is, Whats his other agenda? Besides wanting desperately into the white house. Mark my words this will not go the way you imagine, this man is just a big a dolt as Obama

originally posted by: tadaman
a reply to: badgerprints

Can ebola be transferred in ball holes, rental shoes and little yellow pencils?

It can survive on surfaces for a couple hours according to major health organizations. Its funny I found one man on a BBC Ebola page saying he doesnt imagine it could survive for more than a couple minutes. He was the source for the article about Ebola prevention...LOL

Its not easy to get, but if you touch even the sweat of a feverish person you need to get help soon. Your skin doesnt protect you from it.

But,
It's known to survive longer in cooler dry climates.
A dry, air conditioned bowling alley might allow it to last longer than a sunny, hot, humid West African climate.

a reply to: jaynkeel

Yeah well, I''ll say it again...politics and personal feelings aside, this was the right move these governors made for the people of their states.

And while it's clear they/their decision won't be popular with some crowds (as already being seen with the DWB blowback and the criticism we will predictably see with other politicians and cabals whose agendas this might go against), overall they will have the overwhelming support of the people, for at the very least doing something.

Then, later, of course you'll have them being criticized for using this as a political agenda by the very people who actually were doing that themselves or by people who forget how vital this may be or was in preventing additional spread of this deadly virus. Becauase, well this is Murica.

Looks like the governor of Illinois is in too

Quinn orders mandatory quarantine for those who touched Ebola patients

CHICAGO -- The Illinois Department of Public Health has announced a 21-day mandatory quarantine for those who've had direct contact with West Africa Ebola patients.
Illinois' action on Friday follows that of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo. The two issued a mandatory quarantine for travelers after a physician who returned to New York City a week ago from treating Ebola patients in Guinea fell ill with the virus. Dr. Craig Spencer rode the subway, took a cab, went bowling, visited a coffee shop and ate at a restaurant in the city after returning home.
Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn says the order is a "common sense step" to ensure residents will be protected from potential exposure to the virus.
The order will be implemented by local health departments across the state. Previously, these high-risk individuals were subject to a voluntary quarantine.
No Ebola cases have been reported in Illinois.s

ETA: Reportedly, the CDC is not happy about these states taking proactive steps. Go figure, eh?

Ebola Quarantines Seen as Barrier to Volunteers

All I have to say about this is...if they can spare three weeks to help Africans, they can spare another three weeks to help people in their own country stay safe. And maybe there's something they can do while in quarantine that can still be beneficial. Like publish their experiences or advise via Skype.

a reply to: ~Lucidity

Looks like the governor of Illinois is in too

This is great news to wake up to! Thanks. (cup of coffee this early in the a.m.)
Fingers crossed that Georgia will get on board. I have friends in the Atlanta area who will be traveling
during the holidays. Speaking of which...I wonder if we'll see a travel ban put in place in Nov-Dec. Probably not,
but one can hope.

All I have to say about this is...if they can spare three weeks to help Africans, they can spare another three weeks to help people in their own country stay safe. And maybe there's something they can do while in quarantine that can still be beneficial. Like publish their experiences or advise via Skype.

Well said.

a reply to: ~Lucidity
CNN's Elizabeth Cullen just stated on live TV that Cuomo and Christie went "rogue" and the quarantine measures came as a "shock" to "federal officials." Good! The inmates aren't running the asylum in NY, NJ, and IL.

originally posted by: drwill
a reply to: ~Lucidity
CNN's Elizabeth Cullen just stated on live TV that Cuomo and Christie went "rogue" and the quarantine measures came as a "shock" to "federal officials." Good! The inmates aren't running the asylum in NY, NJ, and IL.

Yep. They absolutely did, and there are plenty who are not going to take too kindly to this. Already started...MSF/DWB and CDC criticism among it. I'm still applauding their decision, even though I also believe the quarantine should be a bit longer, but we'll take what we can get. Anything that helps this thing burn out before it really gets going is a good thing.

a reply to: ~Lucidity
Hours later, Elizabeth is still harping on it, claiming that "health officials" say it's a political move. So, are we to infer that the present administration is blessedly free from political moves? What about the WH's timeline (of their involvement) in the whole Ebola debacle? Elizabeth just made a dramatic boo-hoo statement about the nurse who was "held against her will." Was she released? If so, couldn't it be argued that her release was due to "politics"? (Or -- just speculating -- maybe she knew important people, which is worse than playing the political card, imho.)
I mean, just yesterday she was texting/calling her dear friend Dr. Yasmine, and a big stink was made on CNN, and is still being made.
That's a lot of noise for someone who was running a fever (yesterday) and who, imho, could test positive for Ebola any time in the next 20 days. It's not over till it's over.

a reply to: drwill
The media trying to sway public opinion, which from what I hear from my family in NY is on this move.

Some people just can't let go of politics for any reason. And you know what? Even if it is political? Who cares.

a reply to: ~Lucidity

That's so true about politics. (CNN is still debating it as I type this: Should returning Ebola workers be quarantined?)

Since the discussion has been about quarantine and the predictable cries of "politics!" I thought I'd share this joke. Seems like it's fitting.


While walking down the street one day a Corrupt Senator(that may be redundant) was tragically hit by a car and died.
His soul arrives in heaven and is met by St. Peter at the entrance.
... "Welcome to heaven," says St.. Peter. "Before you settle in, it seems there is a problem. We seldom see a high official around these parts, you see, so we're not sure what to do with you."
"No problem, just let me in," says the Senator.
"Well, I'd like to, but I have orders from the higher ups. What we'll do is have you spend one day in hell and one in heaven. Then you can choose where to spend eternity."
"Really?, I've made up my mind. I want to be in heaven," says the Senator.
"I'm sorry, but we have our rules."
And with that, St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell.
The doors open and he finds himself in the middle of a green golf course.
In the distance is a clubhouse and standing in front of it are all his friends and other politicians who had worked with him.
Everyone is very happy and in evening dress. They run to greet him, shake his hand, and reminisce about the good times they had while getting rich at the expense of the people.
They played a friendly game of golf and then dine on lobster, caviar and the finest champagne.
Also present is the devil, who really is a very friendly guy who is having a good time dancing and telling jokes.
They are all having such a good time that before the Senator realizes it, it is time to go.
Everyone gives him a hearty farewell and waves while the elevator rises.
The elevator goes up, up, up and the door reopens in heaven where St. Peter is waiting for him, "Now it's time to visit heaven...”
So, 24 hours passed with the Senator joining a group of contented souls moving from cloud to cloud, playing the harp and singing. They have a good time and, before he realizes it, the 24 hours have gone by and St. Peter returns.
"Well, then, you've spent a day in hell and another in heaven. Now choose your eternity."
The Senator reflects for a minute, then he answers: "Well, I would never have said it before, I mean heaven has been delightful, but I think I would be better off in hell."
So St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell...
Now the doors of the elevator open and he's in the middle of a barren land covered with waste and garbage.
He sees all his friends, dressed in rags, picking up the trash and putting it in black bags as more trash falls to the ground.
The devil comes over to him and puts his arm around his shoulders.
"I don't understand," stammers the Senator. "Yesterday I was here and there was a golf course and clubhouse, and we ate lobster and caviar, drank champagne, and danced and had a great time. Now there's just a wasteland full of garbage and my friends look miserable. What happened?"
The devil smiles at him and says, "Yesterday we were campaigning. Today, you voted.."

source: www.experienceproject.com...

Ha. Good one. And so very true.

originally posted by: ~Lucidity
a reply to: Anyafaj

My thoughts? Both NYC and NJ have been through a lot since 9/11 and through Hurricane Sandy and are not going to sit around waiting from someone to do something FOR them. They just decided to do it themselves and not wait around for the bureaucratic, paralyzed worthless dweebs in DC decided on something.

Hoping the rest of the country takes a hint.

Sounds like 2 governors finally woke up to common sense. I, for one, am thrilled! Bought time my old state (both of them! Born in NJ and lived in NY), finally grew some cojones! Now my question is, how long before they wake up and lose the common sense??? LOL It doesn't happen very often, so us Jerseyistes and Yorkers are stunned when it occurs!

originally posted by: tadaman
a reply to: badgerprints

Can ebola be transferred in ball holes, rental shoes and little yellow pencils?

It can survive on surfaces for a couple hours according to major health organizations. Its funny I found one man on a BBC Ebola page saying he doesnt imagine it could survive for more than a couple minutes. He was the source for the article about Ebola prevention...LOL

Its not easy to get, but if you touch even the sweat of a feverish person you need to get help soon. Your skin doesnt protect you from it.

Yet, MSN media has doctors on saying you CANNOT get it from being sneezed on NOR can you get it by putting your fingers in a bowling ball that may have Ebola sweat in the holes. They really think we are complete morons and buy their spit and swallow.

*BTW, I have my friends on Facebook trying to convince me how "safe" Ebola is because of these idiot doctors!

I just read the NJ aid worker's op-ed...whaaaa! Cry me a river!

Ugh, this PC crap will kill us! Ebola don't care. Quarantine them.

My God, they just came back from the devastation in W. Africa, seeing the ravages of this outbreak, with a record number of health care workers oddly infected despite PPEs - WTF!? And these people are experts. It's a virus, it mutates.

a reply to: kosmicjack
Yeah she's being a bit selfish I'd say. Or something.

Cry me a river too