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"do you feel lucky, punk?"

Printed From: Avian Flu Talk
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Forum Name: Latest News
Forum Description: (Latest Breaking News)
URL: http://www.avianflutalk.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7966
Printed Date: May 01 2024 at 3:56am


Topic: "do you feel lucky, punk?"
Posted By: oknut
Subject: "do you feel lucky, punk?"
Date Posted: May 14 2006 at 3:53am

U.S. unprepared for avian flu epidemic

The Bush administration has not developed an adequate plan for dealing with a potential avian flu outbreak. Flu experts believe that, in a pandemic, one-third of our population (100 million people) could become infected. At present, the avian flu is killing over 50 percent of its victims, which means that 50 million Americans could die.

The only proven deterrent to any type of flu is vaccine. Unfortunately, our entire production of vaccine has been outsourced to foreign suppliers. These sources have proven unreliable in the past and, in the event of a pandemic, we couldn't count on a single dose of avian flu vaccine being available.

Of course, we might get lucky. Maybe the flu won't jump from birds to humans. In the immortal words of Clint Eastwood, "do you feel lucky, punk?" If not, demand that action be taken by the administration and Congress to facilitate the production of flu vaccine in this country. Your life may depend on it.

Staunton

HENRY P. DICKERSON III

Originally published May 14, 2006

http://www.newsleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060514/OPINION03/605140317/1014/OPINION - http://www.newsleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060514/OPINION03/605140317/1014/OPINION



Replies:
Posted By: Oisanatta
Date Posted: May 14 2006 at 7:00am
Although I concur that the US is unprepared as the article states, it probably doesn't matter who is President....the US would most likely still be unprepared from the federal perspective.  Politics (2-party system) ALWAYS gets in the way....look at the current "undocumented" issue...each side wants to come out on top of the other.

Add on top of that the ridiculous health care insurance and pharmaceutical industry that seems to run the health care management in this country, and the issue of unpreparedness gets even greater.

And then add on top of that the whole "outsourcing" issue in this country...not just for vaccine-production, but also for computer software resolution issues as well as to where clothes/shoes/toys /etc are made....it's very difficult to find something that is 100% USA-made anymore.

It's a sad state of affairs for this country that used to be the top of the bunch in the manufacturing industry for whatever to now have to be dependent upon other countries.

And so when it comes down to the vaccine-preparation, there's a whole lot of factors to overcome for any US administration/Congress/Senate/etc.  I wish that it could be as simple as "hey, let's now start making the vaccine ourselves".  This country is in a pickle, no doubt...and maybe it is going to take a pandemic to wake it up....for whoever is alive afterwards.

Just some thoughts...


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The only thing worse than a brutal lie is the brutal truth. (M Twain) I waited patiently for the LORD; He turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit; He set my feet on a rock. Psalm40


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