10-02-2014, 12:48 PM
Wow. Nothing like a bit of light reading to lessen the stress of lava watching. (and waiting)
I too am concerned about Ebola.
There are so many unknowns, and we are a tourist destination.
Viruses are the most adaptive little critters I can think of. They're real survivors. They mutate and replicate millions of times a day. Hepatitis (another nasty little virus) has been found alive after weeks on surfaces. (like a table top somebody bled on) That's why blood spills (and other bodily fluids) are considered "Biohazard" by medical professionals, and cleaned up efficiently and according to strict specifications.
HIV and SOME forms of Hep. are transmitted sexually also, but the risk rises if there's blood mixed in those fluids for any reason.
Unlike HIV and Hepatitis, Ebola does not require blood exposure. From what I'm gathering ALL bodily fluids are infected. That means tears and sweat. I know there would be a lot of both if I were infected. (HIV and Hep. are NOT transmitted through these fluids unless there is blood in them) SO, if you shake somebody's sweaty hand, or hug somebody who's sweating...well, you see where I'm going.
If Doctors are getting it (and they are. Several have already died) it appears to be pretty easy to get, but only time will tell.
I have no doubt the CDC is working fervently trying to figure out how the most recent Doc. got it. He knows how to protect himself. I'm really curious about how HE thinks he was exposed.
That guy in Texas lied on his exit interview at the airport(in whatever country he came from) and said he didn't have any family members with Ebola. He had taken a relative to the hospital days before with Ebola. His country now says they hope he gets better, and they will be arresting him if he lives. I think he knew he'd been exposed, but might have thought he'd get better care here in the good ole USA. So far, our medical system has been able to bring all our people through the infection, if they're just HERE.
I don't think a simple mask would do much protecting. Virus's are REALLY small. Isolation and special protective clothing are required. Don't run out to Longs and buy paper masks. Waste of $.
So, what's the answer? Like everything else going on in Puna, we wait and see. (It's getting easier with practice isn't it?)
Keep the Faith!
I too am concerned about Ebola.
There are so many unknowns, and we are a tourist destination.
Viruses are the most adaptive little critters I can think of. They're real survivors. They mutate and replicate millions of times a day. Hepatitis (another nasty little virus) has been found alive after weeks on surfaces. (like a table top somebody bled on) That's why blood spills (and other bodily fluids) are considered "Biohazard" by medical professionals, and cleaned up efficiently and according to strict specifications.
HIV and SOME forms of Hep. are transmitted sexually also, but the risk rises if there's blood mixed in those fluids for any reason.
Unlike HIV and Hepatitis, Ebola does not require blood exposure. From what I'm gathering ALL bodily fluids are infected. That means tears and sweat. I know there would be a lot of both if I were infected. (HIV and Hep. are NOT transmitted through these fluids unless there is blood in them) SO, if you shake somebody's sweaty hand, or hug somebody who's sweating...well, you see where I'm going.
If Doctors are getting it (and they are. Several have already died) it appears to be pretty easy to get, but only time will tell.
I have no doubt the CDC is working fervently trying to figure out how the most recent Doc. got it. He knows how to protect himself. I'm really curious about how HE thinks he was exposed.
That guy in Texas lied on his exit interview at the airport(in whatever country he came from) and said he didn't have any family members with Ebola. He had taken a relative to the hospital days before with Ebola. His country now says they hope he gets better, and they will be arresting him if he lives. I think he knew he'd been exposed, but might have thought he'd get better care here in the good ole USA. So far, our medical system has been able to bring all our people through the infection, if they're just HERE.
I don't think a simple mask would do much protecting. Virus's are REALLY small. Isolation and special protective clothing are required. Don't run out to Longs and buy paper masks. Waste of $.
So, what's the answer? Like everything else going on in Puna, we wait and see. (It's getting easier with practice isn't it?)
Keep the Faith!