Community Chat

[scotttie]

On 11/3/2014 focksie said:

I was able to watch the first hour of the webinar yesterday. It wasn't exactly what I expected. I expected to see the really gruesome and graphic side of Ebola. I thought that would be the case in order to elicit more support from the global community. Maybe that's in the second hour? I'm concerned that the world doesn't seem to be stepping up. I thought what I saw in hour 1 was more a picture of courage and human kindness as opposed to factual.

A question I have is if Ebola is so easy to treat (Tylenol and fluids), why have so many healthcare workers died? I mean, it's tragic that people have to wait outside the treatment centers because there aren't enough beds, but surely they tend to the healthcare workers first (?)

I also didn't appreciate the moderator's tone. I think in the first 2 minutes she "joked" - "Don't worry. I didn't lick any doorknobs on my way (home)." That seemed inappropriate and I fail to see the humor. Oh well.

So far, it hasn't changed my questions about transmission. It was the second doctor who spoke (the balding one -sorry, I didn't catch his name), who said "There is not zero risk".

Thanks again Gato for sharing this with us. And thanks to you (and others here) for not being condescending towards those of us who may not share your opinion. It's nice to be able to have a respectful discussion, isn't it? I was tossed around on another thread a couple of days ago. I didn't appreciate it and will rethink my participation here. It's easy to see who the "ugly" people are.

Lynnj, I'm glad you were able to post your response! That has happened to me before with long responses. I think it just "times out" after a few minutes. What I've done is type long responses in a Word doc, then copy and paste here. That's a great idea about a town hall type of presentation. I think there is plenty of completely irrational fear (understandably so) in the general public because of a lack of knowledge and information about the disease. It would kind of demystify, if you will. Oh, congrats on your Eagles' win!

I agree with you on that. One would think her sarcastic and snide remarks would have been reserved for her own government which hasn't managed to arrange for their own medivac plane and team so that they can send workers into the field.

[Lynnj]

Waving hi to all. I agree that it has been very nice to have a respectful conversation about this important subject, and no condescending comments about posts with differing opinions. One other thing stuck out to me in the video - the workers that clean the homes of those who have died from being infected, and also those that collect contaminated items at the health facilities and place them in the canisters for burning. This work is the most important in trying to stop the spread, and these workers are at the highest risk for infection. As pointed out in the video, most give praise to MSF/DWB Doctors and Nurses, but these people don't get much praise and are the most important in the process. I can see why they may not be able to employ just anyone for that clean up work. They would really need special training and understanding to ensure these workers don't further spread this in WA.

[Lynnj]

Another thing that stuck out to me was the amount of now orphaned children, because both parents have died from infection. Blessings and praise to that one WA gentleman they highlighted that adopted some of the orphaned children, and one of the kids was challenged with some sort of brain injury. Orphaned children is another impact to this that I hadn't thought of,,especially given the large numbers being reported of those that have died in the area.

[dooBdoo]

On 11/3/2014 wookie said:

On 11/3/2014 Sushismom said:

Many of the points made in the webcast had been presented here time and time again. I'm glad, though, that this was posted (thanks, Gato!) and that some now have a better understanding.

Yes, it validated my belief in what the science community has been saying. It did answer the one concern I had, which was direct contact with someone the day before they registered an elevated temperature. Seeing the interactions at the field hospitals was very interesting, as well. All in all, the webcast was very informative.

I agree with both of you. So much was being lost in the arguments on all the threads, and I think it was hard for all of us to listen to each other as a result. I'm grateful to Gato for getting everyone's attention, condensing it down to the science with this thread and this webcast.

[Lynnj]

Gato - in response to the death of Dr Godfrey George - he must have been pretty sick and very far along if a 5 hour transport ride had impact to his death. If he was a Dr, and already at a facility, why wouldn't he have had an opportunity to receive the simple treatment in a more timely manner?

[Lynnj]

Focksie - for your post #80 asking about healthcare worker deaths. The majority of deaths are local WA healthcare workers, not working in the MSF/DWB facilities. Only a few associated with MSF/DWB have died, and mainly due to the medivac issue, only being 1 from US/prioritizing US transports first/the time to return due to clean up protocol between flights. Here is an article I found about this from Time magazine, posted 10/3 ----copy/paste link into browser-----http://time.com/3453429/ebola-healthcare-workers-fatality-rate/

[Say Nay]

On 11/3/2014 Lynnj said: Gato - in response to the death of Dr Godfrey George - he must have been pretty sick and very far along if a 5 hour transport ride had impact to his death. If he was a Dr, and already at a facility, why wouldn't he have had an opportunity to receive the simple treatment in a more timely manner?

Hi Lynn, It would make sense he would try to get to the best treatment facility possible which is in Freetown. He may have been delayed waiting for transport to pick him up from the hospital he was overseeing. Doctors in these countries are very poor, especially those working for government run hospitals. Staff will often go many months before being paid. Only a very few are fortunate to have cars.

[Say Nay]

On 11/3/2014 Lynnj said: Waving hi to all. I agree that it has been very nice to have a respectful conversation about this important subject, and no condescending comments about posts with differing opinions. One other thing stuck out to me in the video - the workers that clean the homes of those who have died from being infected, and also those that collect contaminated items at the health facilities and place them in the canisters for burning. This work is the most important in trying to stop the spread, and these workers are at the highest risk for infection. As pointed out in the video, most give praise to MSF/DWB Doctors and Nurses, but these people don't get much praise and are the most important in the process. I can see why they may not be able to employ just anyone for that clean up work. They would really need special training and understanding to ensure these workers don't further spread this in WA.

These men and women are so brave. And you're right. They get very little praise for the deadly work they accomplish. To see all of the volunteers in front of the gate wanting to be hired… it is so hard to look at.

[Lynnj]

It was sad to see so many at the gate wanting to be hired. No money, no training available...plus the potential to further risk additional spread is just not worth it.

[scotttie]

On 11/3/2014 Lynnj said: Another thing that stuck out to me was the amount of now orphaned children, because both parents have died from infection. Blessings and praise to that one WA gentleman they highlighted that adopted some of the orphaned children, and one of the kids was challenged with some sort of brain injury. Orphaned children is another impact to this that I hadn't thought of,,especially given the large numbers being reported of those that have died in the area.

Oh yes. So heartbreaking the orphans. That man who took those kids in is a saint.

The one questioner talked about the crops that aren't being tended either. This has just layer upon layer of tragedy.