So . . . You Can’t Get Ebola from Someone On a Bus, Eh?
NOTE: Article has been edited to reflect the apparent deliberate removal of the original version of the droplet spread factsheet from the CDC’s web site, as well as its replacement with a deliberately watered-down version downplaying the threat.
Well, then why did the CDC publish this a few days ago?
The first copy linked above was obtained two days ago – before it disappeared from CDC’s web site; you won’t find that document on their website today. Look here for the current watered-down “don’t worry, be happy” version from CDC – one that’s been “edited” to reflect the current bogus, politically-based propaganda Administration “party line”.
Here’s what the pertinent section of the original document says (emphasis added):
DROPLET SPREADDroplet spread happens when droplets that are coughed or sneezed from a sick person splash the eyes, nose, or mouth of another person, or cause environmental contamination, like a soiled bathroom surface or handrails, from which another person can pick up the infectious material.A person might also get infected by touching a surface or object that has germs on it and then touching their eyes, mouth or nose. Droplets generally travel shorter distances, less than about 6 feet from a source patient.Germs like plague, meningitis, and Ebola can be spread through large droplets.
Now, that really makes you feel like the DC clown krewe current Administration is doing all it can to keep the US public safe from the possibility of an Ebola outbreak here, doesn’t it? I mean, we’re just letting anyone who’s been to the “hot zone” run around and do what they please – and depending on them to let us know if/when they start “feeling sick”. All we’re going to do monitor them is take their temperature a couple of times a day.
No, that technically isn’t “airborne spread” – true airborne spread produces particles (wet or dry) containing virions that are smaller, small enough to stay suspended in the air for a protracted period of time. Those smaller particles are about 1 micron or less in diameter; droplets sprayed during a cough or sneeze are typically larger than that.
But here’s the “kicker”: all it takes is one particle. Since Ebola’s viral load necessary for infection seems to be around one, coming in contact with only droplet containing one Ebola virion means you could be in for a really bad few weeks – or the guest of honor at a funeral.
It also means you’re hardly perfectly safe standing near a coughing or sneezing person who’s symptomatic with Ebola. Or sitting next to them (or in the seat in front of them) on a bus, for that matter. Or handling a doorknob after they’ve sneezed into their hand.
Further, sprayed droplets sometimes do travel farther than 6 feet. So I’m not really sure “on the other side of a 15-foot wide room” is safe if the individual is coughing or sneezing repeatedly and strongly, either.
A few days ago, this info was readily available on the CDC’s 2014 Ebola Outbreak in West Africa page under either “What’s New” or with their other “Infographics” under the “West Africa Ebola Outbreak” icon. I saw it, but I didn’t think much about it at the time; anyone who’s been following the situation should have already known that.
But for some reason, the document is no longer prominently displayed on that page any more – though it’s still on the CDC site if you dig deep enough. Follow the link and look for the item from October 31, 2014.
No, I’m not the only one to notice this rather sudden change. The New York Post noticed the original document a couple of days ago. But today, it’s pretty well hidden – as the UK’s Daily Mail points out. Indeed, per the Huffington Post the document seems to have become markedly harder to find the day after the NY Post ran its story about the CDC flier.
Other previously-posted info on the CDC’s site about Ebola also seems to have re-written about that same time also. The versions now posted appear to have been re-written to downplay the fact that Ebola can indeed be spread through droplet spray or via contaminated surfaces.
You know, it seems to me almost like someone is intentionally misleading the public about the risks involved for political reasons. But this Administration would never do that, right? (Yes, that last sentence was sarcasm in the extreme.)
Are you feeling like a mushroom yet?
Yeah, you might want to check to see if your pants leg is wet – again. And if it is . . . well, I don’t think that’s rain.
Category: "Teh Stoopid", "The Floggings Will Continue Until Morale Improves", "Your Tax Dollars At Work", Barack Obama/Joe Biden, Government Incompetence, WTF?
As a reminder, since the early stages of flu and ebola symptoms are similar, might be a good idea to get a flu shot now, to make sure you don’t have that problem.
I won’t say we’re doomed, but we are definitely in for a prolonged, wild ride.
How’s about we just avoid sharing bodily fluids with others, particularly strangers?
Don’t get anywhere near a sweaty, red-headed, bicycle riding nurse, if you can help it. She could pass something deadly on to you, just through skin-to-skin contact.
Can you imagine this in the NYC or DC subways?
Yes I can, OldSoldier54. And that absolutely scares the sh!t out of me.
Something else to make you feel better and more secure about wanting MOPP4 on public transportation devices.
http://www.popsci.com/article/science/how-sneeze-particles-travel-inside-airplane
If people could have some manners and cover their mouth and nose when they cough or sneeze, that would be great.
Also, wash your hands frequently this flu season! It helps! 🙂
I like the “cover” many people use: their hands! Or better still, it’s always pleasant to see someone put their hand NEAR their mouth when coughing. I have always wanted to ask, “Why bother, or are you trying to widen the shot spread?” So, lead by example. Bury your mouth/nose in the crook of your arm. This message brought to you by the Corporation for Public Germ Broadcasting.
Googled up some quote from The Blaze a couple of weeks ago regarding dogs carrying Ebola and noticed the CDC had scrubbed their research from the web and pointed to a conspiracy website.. Clicking on the cached version at the CDC caused a cascade of tabs to pop open. Tried a system restore, but PC is in the shop now. Yes, they are hiding stuff.
See, here’s the thing. We–and doubtless millions of other people–did not need the CDC to tell us that the contagion can be spread by casual contact or that the virus survives for hours on toilet seats, handles, door knobs, or faucets. Yet, it took the CDC months to come around to admit that much. Eventually, the CDC might agree with another piece of common sense knowledge, that allowing people who have been exposed to the virus to enter this country and go where they will when they will is foolish. Yeah, I doubt it too–unless the SCIENCE changes for obama.
Hondo…First thanks for this. Next, “You know, it seems to me almost like someone is intentionally misleading the public about the risks involved for political reasons. But this Administration would never do that, right?” Though I hear the sarcasm but also believe it is absolutely the truth. The continued Obama song of, “Don’t Worry, Be Happy!”. I’d think the groove on that record would have been long worn out by now but folks, with their heads in the sand, are still tuned into Obama radio and sucking it in and singing along.