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 I listen to a fair amount of radio and read news headlines throughout the day, so I have heard and read a lot
about the lurking Ebola epidemic. Like most RF Cafe visitors, I am at least as informed on topics like viruses as
the average citizen of the world. We know that there is no 'cure' for a virus per se, just a possibility that it
can be subdued by disrupting its ability to replicate. Unlike bacteria which are cellular and have their own
support system, viruses require the metabolic mechanisms of a host in order to thrive; they embed themselves in
host cells for survival. As with the AIDS virus, what makes them so hard to combat is their ability to mutate and
thwart drugs that are designed to specifically target unique characteristics of the virus body while not being
toxic to the host system. At least that's my layman's understanding of the distinction.
Americans and people of other countries are being inhumanely subject to Ebola needlessly.
Here are a few questions about Ebola that I have not heard asked yet:
- If a treatment is created for Ebola, for what percentage of the population will it be effective?
Will the antivirus mitigate all symptoms permanently?
- Will a drug need to be taken at a regular interval for the rest of one's life in order to survive? If so,
then attempts to calm the public with the promise of a 'cure' is somewhat disingenuous. Sure, it beats dying,
but should we be grateful for such a 'cure' from the same people who needlessly exposed us to it in the first
place?
- Are 100% of blood donations being screened for Ebola, and if so, what is the accuracy rate? How has/will
donation rate been/be affected? How many people will die because of refusal to participate?
- Will innocent victims be allowed to sue private and public transportation systems and facilities that provide the pathways for
Ebola
transmission?
- Will the Government (aka taxpayers) be required to pay the entire cost of domestic Ebola victims' medical
cost, lost wages, lost opportunity, pain, and suffering since it has provided and continues to provide the
pathway for infection by not prohibiting entry of high risk travelers?
- If a person is diagnosed with and successfully treated for Ebola, is his immune system permanently attenuated by the
presence of the virus and/or the suppression drugs required? That is to say, does the presence of the virus make
him more likely to succumb to other invaders, require additional medication, etc?
- Is data available that shows the long-term effect on the human body by Ebola? Does the heart weaken, does
hearing or sight degrade? Is dementia more likely to occur? Is the average lifespan affected? Is personality -
temperament, disposition, etc. -
altered ?
- How many people will be injured or die because of reluctance of medical workers to treat anyone with
Ebola-like symptoms? How many people will be injured or die because the average citizen will be reluctant to
provide aid to someone exhibiting Ebola-like symptoms, or decide to just not take a risk by offering any
assistance?
- Has some other virus already affected the population that somehow makes the majority too stupid to demand
that our borders be closed immediately before they or someone they know contracts Ebola? If so, I recommend the
name 'Ebola Enabler' virus.
Do you have any heretofore unasked questions that should be asked?
Posted October 17, 2014
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