Throw Out Your Dead

Monty Python's humorous treatment of the Black Plague aside, I am somewhat puzzled by the administration's position on closing the border to prevent further influx of this new swine flu.

A little bit of background on me, I studied microbiology for two years before deciding that I wanted nothing to do with the medical profession and switched to electronics. Cold heartless conservative that I am, after participating in a work-study program with a major metropolitan hospital I decided that I didn't want to deal with sick people and preferred to work on cold heartless electronic equipment, which at least...did not whine and complain as much. All jesting aside, I really decided I did not like the cold heartless treatment patients received in the management of the modern medical profession, aside from the minor discovery that generally the sick and dying usually complained the least, and those who really had nothing wrong with them were a major pain in the ass.

That said, I fail to understand the administrations position of closing the border would be the equivalent of closing the barn door after the cows got out (cute analogy Mr. President). Having a rudimentary knowledge of vector transmission (at least what I can remember after 25 years)... I fail to understand how limiting the number of sick people who can infect others allowed into the country can be viewed as a bad thing. Given that the appearance of the virus in the United States does not appear to have the severity of the virus present in Mexico (for yet to be established reasons), and that currently there are only a small number of identified infected persons in the US, does allowing possibly infected people unrestricted access to the US make sense?

Sure, they are performing checks at the border... but not on everyone, and by whom? I am relatively sure that all the border posts are not being manned by MDs, so what? They are checking people that appear sick to a border patrol agent? Nothing against border patrol agents, I am sure that despite their limited numbers they are highly qualified in keeping people out of the country who don't belong here, when they are in the position to intervene. The overly simplistic explanations offered by the administration don't quite meet my standards of scientific reasoning, and no additional explanation appears to be forthcoming.

Nor do I believe that the administration could effectively close the border, barring the deployment of large numbers of National Guard personnel, even if they wanted to. I mean, we can't keep illegal workers out, what makes us think we could keep "illegal infecteds" out? I just don't like the patronizing and child-like explanations offered by the administration. Trust the government? What are you nuts?

On top of that, I keep hearing on TV and the radio that "Now is not the time to panic". Am I to believe that sometime in the future I shall tune in to a soothing voice telling me to "PANIC"? When is the time to panic? Is this defined in some government brochure I have overlooked? Is there some statistical basis for panic? Okay.... 7352 people have died..... PANIC!!!!

I don't believe that it is time to panic, in fact the thought of panic hasn't even crossed my mind yet... but is it too much to ask to be treated as a rational and intelligent citizen? Instead of being treated like it is way to far beyond me to even understand this situation... now be a good boy, put away your blocks, and go wash your hands before nap time.

Seriously, it's the flu... sure it killed millions in 1917-1918, but hey... we didn't have antibiotics and antivirals readily available at the time. My personal reaction is one of a slightly raised eyebrow... of cold scientific detachment, hmmm that's interesting, perhaps we should keep an eye on this. Since I am not advocating panic and I haven't heard anyone else either advocating or actually panicking, why does the government feel it necessary to keep telling us not to panic.

But then what do I know? I didn't panic over the millennium bug either.

It seems, when it really comes down to it, not closing the border is a socio-economic political decision, not a medical or scientific one... and I can respect that, just don't patronize me with cute sayings about barns, cows, and stuff. Or, simply admit, as is commonly known, we don't have a snowballs chance in hell of effectively closing the border... now that's an analogy I can respect, it's simple, straight forward, to the point, and accurately captures the real situation.

I see two alternatives in the administrations current approach... and I will grant that President Obama is an intelligent and well-educated man, but he is either talking down to us, or repeating the statements of other, more specialized professionals, who are talking down to him.

Neither explanation appeals to me.


Cheers!

~Finntann~