Community Chat

[september]

I'm puzzled as to where this "patting on the back" comes into play. I was one of the ones who, I think, asked lots of questions at the beginning of the ebola cases coming into this country.

I wasn't on one side vs. the other. I just wanted to get the facts..I did, and now I'm recognizing some posters who played a part in this. If those who thought there would be a big epidemic here were correct...I'd be here saying "you were right" to them.

[Sushismom]

I'll admit to a lack of respect for an opinion that's based on fear and not on fact. I don't see anyone patting themselves on the back. What I do see is that reality has borne out their facts and opinions and the acknowledgement of that.

And let's be honest. Do you think if a nationwide epidemic of Ebola had broken out no one would be hear saying ""I told you so""?

[scotttie]

On 11/11/2014 september said:

Scottie, I don't post during the day, and I think a lot of the day posts get zapped before I get online. Sometimes...I did see some of them, and yes, I did see some posters who don't post here often, anymore, swoop in and say negative things.

That's going to happen... but when I've been actively posting here at night about this topic...I'd say that most people have been respectful. It's been informational for me to post about this topic here.

Living in CA...where there hasn't been much discussion, or any cases of Ebola....I know much more about this than anyone else who I know here. Thanks to this board, and other online research.

For me, September, there were one or two who really surprised me on this subject. People I held in high esteem and thought very highly of. One in particular who I won't name. While at times posting measured informational posts one minute, were taking part in the mocking the next post. In addition to having NO sympathy for the citizens of this country(not just on this board) who do/did not have the education perhaps or ability to sort it all out. No regard for frightened people in the beginning of it all. It was an eye opener for me ....a sad and surprising eye opener.

Anyway, I'm glad you didn't have the misfortune of seeing what I did.

[Dam Yankee]

On 11/11/2014 puglet1 said:

I don't think anyone outside the New York tri-state area saw the entire news conference, which lasted almost one hour. It showed what is best about people working together in a calm, organized and intelligent way. I'm proud of my city and have a great deal of confidence in our hospitals and healthcare professionals. Unfortunately, I do not have as much confidence in individuals who might choose to make their own decisions without regard for their community.

I don't, as a rule, participate in Viewpoints and there's a reason why. There simply is not civil and respectful discussion here. Reading the posts, it sounds to me like many of you appear to be patting yourselves on the back that you were right all along. Some of you continue to ridicule and express your disgust with others who, understandably and legitimately, had their doubts and concern and may still have doubts and concern. You have gone completely overboard in assigning "hysteria" and "panic" to posters who have expressed this concern. You have been smug in your opinions and have had little tolerance or respect for others' opinions.

Bingo.

Those of us who won't bow down and blindly accept the gospel, as spoken by the worshiped ones, need to go sit in the "hair on fire" corner and don our dunce caps. Pfffffft.

[pitdakota]

On 11/11/2014 september said:

I'm puzzled as to where this "patting on the back" comes into play. I was one of the ones who, I think, asked lots of questions at the beginning of the ebola cases coming into this country.

I wasn't on one side vs. the other. I just wanted to get the facts..I did, and now I'm recognizing some posters who played a part in this. If those who thought there would be a big epidemic here were correct...I'd be here saying "you were right" to them.

Oh september, I wouldn't take that personally. I don't think they mean you. If anything they mean me. But I have my opinion and I stick to it. I am thrilled that we have now successfully treated 7 ebola victims and that no community acquired transmissions occurred.

Experts from the field know that ebola is not a disease that is acquired easily, especially when one isn't symptomatic. They know how it is transmitted. There is a ton of research out there about various aspects of this disease over the years.

At any rate, what we have learned here has the extraordinary possibility of really helping the providers in West Africa to improve the survival rate for victims over there. That is my biggest hope. Obviously getting more beds operational will help, but what they have learned here may very well transfer to better survival rates for individuals in West Africa. And that would be wonderful. What has happened over there and continues to happen is heart breaking.

[Sushismom]

Most likely you and me both. I prefer to base my opinion on fact and not fear. But if you don't fall into line with the fear mongers, well...

[Dam Yankee]

Nonsense. Anyone who dared question anything was mocked, ridiculed and insulted, repeatedly.

[NoelSeven]

On 11/11/2014 Sushismom said:

Most likely you and me both. I prefer to base my opinion on fact and not fear. But if you don't fall into line with the fear mongers, well...

I stand with you.

[pitdakota]

On 11/11/2014 Sushismom said:

I'll admit to a lack of respect for an opinion that's based on fear and not on fact. I don't see anyone patting themselves on the back. What I do see is that reality has borne out their facts and opinions and the acknowledgement of that.

And let's be honest. Do you think if a nationwide epidemic of Ebola had broken out no one would be hear saying "I told you so"?

Hi Sushi! Reminds me now of september....I got up to do a few things and now that I am back I may have missed you. lol

But I am going to post a study that was just recently published in the NEJM. I thought of you and Noel, but others might want to look at it as well.

HERE IS THE LINK

Great study with very important information. There are great charts and graphs depicting the statistical significance of BUN, creatinine, and AST with fatal outcome.

Combine that with lessons learned here about very aggressive fluid management along with dialysis and this could have broad sweeping implications with this strain of ebola.

Although they have kept specifics of the patients treated here to a minimum, it was noticeable from the video that Kim Pham released as she was being transferred from Dallas to NIH that she had an AV Shunt in her right arm. I suspect (although I don't know for sure) that the majority of the patients here received dialysis. Of course it remains to be seen if they would even be able to get dialysis units in any significant numbers in West Africa and have the trained individuals to do the dialysis.

Anyway, it is an interesting research article.

I will say good night and hope that everyone has a good night as well.

[dooBdoo]

I feel the issue was so heated, the discussions so passionate, that some of us either wrote things that were unkind or we didn't write carefully and so our posts were perceived to be unkind. I don't believe for a minute that the overwhelming majority of established posters here have the intent to hurt, to mock, to ridicule, to demean.

In my case, I've been fighting depression and I also have loved ones in West Africa. No excuse for me to be touchy, and for any part I played in anyone's discomfort, disillusionment, or even disgust with these forum discussions, I offer my sincere apology. I offer this as the background or filter which probably causes me to press "submit" when I should rethink it and delete my comment -- and I offer it as a reminder that others here also have things going on in their lives which affect their responses (and the way we interpret the comments of others).

All these words to ask this: Instead of holding on to hurts we might feel, instead of repeatedly mentioning comments made that we didn't like, instead of more and more blame heaped upon one another, isn't it possible for us to forgive and move forward? To remember each of us is a human being with our own personal pain, joy, triggers, passions? There's no positive payoff from holding grudges, in my opinion, and I think we all have a choice in how we move forward from difficult discussions.

Have a warm, safe, secure, and peaceful night, everyone.