On 11/11/2014 mominohio said: On 11/10/2014 dex said: Why is there no more discussion..I like to know what is going on so there will be no surprises.
We were not ready, and that was made clear.
We seemed to get a handle on it, but I think there are a number of things to be learned, because if this isn't "it" (the next really serious global pandemic), "it" will come in some form or another. What we learn here can be applied to other places and other illnesses, so even though we didn't have (yet anyway) the big outbreak some considered possible, doesn't mean we wont have it or something similar in the future. So what have I learned?
The medical profession isn't as ready for or doesn't have the full understanding of everything that crosses it's path. So in initial stages, erring on the side of being overcautious is a good thing.
People who supposedly have the education and training in a field (this case, health care) aren't always considerate of the public or even their own families, as they break quarantine, and scoff at cautious procedures in the infancy of a possible health care crisis. A little arrogance among those exposed really fueled the fires of "panic" in this case. It would have been simpler if those medical professionals had just followed quarantine, then when it became clear that the disease wasn't spreading all that easily, point would have been proven, rather than causing a ruckus by having people known to be exposed out in the public.
Media is helpful in getting information out, but too much can cause problems. Each person has to weigh the information at hand, and not be afraid to take a stand different than the general populace. Follow your gut, follow your instincts. There is nothing wrong with being cautious, and people who are upset with cautious and label it "panic" are only helping to fuel the flames.
Any preparation one makes for something like this (purchasing extra food, water, medications, protective equipment like masks) is not "crazy", it is not panic, as it can be used for any other crisis situation, weather related, economic related (even something as simple as a job loss), the next serious flu outbreak, etc.
I agree that paying attention, being ready, and wanting to avoid "surprises" is not panic, it is not unreasonable, and is what more people should be doing, in this case, as well as many other things life can throw our way.
Excellent, well expressed post. One of the best I have read here.
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