At least there’s talk of a plan this time

Experts have slammed President Bush’s plan to use the military to impose a quarantine should a flu pandemic strike. But at least Washington appears to finally be paying attention to the warnings of a coming outbreak. News last week that the deadly 1918 virus was actually a bird flu that jumped directly to humans gives credence to fears about the emerging avian flu viruses in Asia. It also makes planning all the more urgent. And it’s good that Congress seems unwilling to take Bush’s word that the United States is doing all it can.
Here’s a commentary that Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., wrote for The Eagle about a bill that he and Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., sponsored aimed at increasing the availability of vaccines.
Posted by Melissa Cooley

8 Comments

  1. J M Walker
    Posted October 10, 2005 at 6:22 am | Permalink

    Bush would like nothing better than to have the military involved in every aspect of this country. His idea of freedom and mine couldn’t co-exist in the same sentence, let alone the same country.The whole idea of using the military to impose a quarantine in this country is absurd and illegal.

  2. Galahad
    Posted October 10, 2005 at 12:01 pm | Permalink

    Agreed, JM.

    There’s one big difference between now and 1918: vaccines.

    We can develop a flu vaccine and get people immunized in a few months or perhaps weeks if necessary.

    And why is this all of a sudden a bigger threat than five or ten years ago?

    Answer–it’s not.

  3. TRACY
    Posted October 10, 2005 at 1:15 pm | Permalink

    You know the answer Sir G:It’s a good diversion from all the bad stuff that’s already became an epidemic during George’s watch.

  4. Jed
    Posted October 10, 2005 at 3:27 pm | Permalink

    Galahad,Given our Fearless Leader’s responses to previous threats- the war, the economy, FEMA, gas prices etc., He’s got to show that he’s good for something, or no republican will ever again be honestly elected to any office! He has to prove he’s on top of something other than that huge, steaming pile he’s up to his neck in now.

  5. XXX
    Posted October 10, 2005 at 5:56 pm | Permalink

    Hmmm… If we should have a flu pandemic, I wonder what the vaccine would cost and which of Bush’s friends would profit.

  6. Joe C
    Posted October 10, 2005 at 7:05 pm | Permalink

    XXXOnly the ones in Europe.

  7. Jed
    Posted October 10, 2005 at 8:35 pm | Permalink

    XXX,I maybe wrong, but I don’t think money is directly involed; just a last-ditch effort to hold onto the political power that’s made them rich.

  8. JUSTA GUY
    Posted October 11, 2005 at 7:13 am | Permalink

    Hey you got it right! There is TALK of a plan. No action, just talk.