3000 American troops being sent into the Ebola crisis. This is worrisome!

[carlimac]

I just wonder about the wisdom of this.  I know they need help, but 3000 troops? Seems like that is a bigger risk compared to the good they could accomplish in really wiping out the disease.

 

 

 

(I would put a link on here but I can't since I'm using IE at the moment. When I use Google chrome it tells me to log in before starting a new topic- even though I'm already logged in.)

[Palerider]

I just wonder about the wisdom of this.  I know they need help, but 3000 troops? Seems like that is a bigger risk compared to the good they could accomplish in really wiping out the disease.

 

 

 

(I would put a link on here but I can't since I'm using IE at the moment. When I use Google chrome it tells me to log in before starting a new topic- even though I'm already logged in.)

I agree.....I don't mind sending troops over to help but I thought 3000 was a big number.

[Just_A_Guy]

I agree.  I heard a news clip of the President saying that there were no concerns about the virus coming onto American soil, and I thought:  Well, there wasn't, until you sent 3,000 Americans right to the epicenter of the disease knowing that you'd eventually be bringing them home again.

Edited September 17, 2014 by Just_A_Guy

[FunkyTown]

I agree.  I heard a news clip of the President saying that there were no concerns about the virus coming onto American soil, and I thought:  Well, there wasn't, until you sent 3,000 Americans right to the epicenter of the disease knowing that you'd eventually be bringing them home again.

 

I think it's really nice of the President to send 3000 non-medical personnel to a hotzone of one of the worst plagues the world has ever seen.

 

I mean, I guess he could have sent doctors. Or nurses. Or the freaking EBOLA TREATMENT THE AMERICANS GOT.

 

But I'm sure soldiers are nice, too. If you can't fight Ebola with bullets, then the terrorists win.

[Blackmarch]

I just wonder about the wisdom of this.  I know they need help, but 3000 troops? Seems like that is a bigger risk compared to the good they could accomplish in really wiping out the disease.

 

 

 

(I would put a link on here but I can't since I'm using IE at the moment. When I use Google chrome it tells me to log in before starting a new topic- even though I'm already logged in.)

Actually i think this is a better use of troops than actual war- they have discipline, they can help police, they provide man-power for whatever projects, and within the military there are already functions set up to move things quickly and en-masse. and in general the military most likely has quite a bit of biological warfare training and equipment at its disposal.

[NeuroTypical]

3000 troops can help in such situations.  It's a population control and containment issue.  And despite how touchy Americans can get at the notion of American soldiers controling/containing a population, it's a legitimate way to keep Ebola from growing to a global impact.  

 

Although the large number, suddenness, and media blitz indicates one of two things - either the Ebola problem is worse (or expected to get worse) than we're currently thinking, or this is a political move to take the nation's attention off other things.

 

Dunno.  It's a good time to do some reading and be prepared.

[Blackmarch]

probably the more concern for me is having this happen simultaneously with the ISIS and iraq fronts.

[NeuroTypical]

Here's the 6 page pamphlet the CDC just issued to U.S. medical facilities and personnel.

[Palerider]

3000 troops can help in such situations.  It's a population control and containment issue.  And despite how touchy Americans can get at the notion of American soldiers controling/containing a population, it's a legitimate way to keep Ebola from growing to a global impact.  

 

Although the large number, suddenness, and media blitz indicates one of two things - either the Ebola problem is worse (or expected to get worse) than we're currently thinking, or this is a political move to take the nation's attention off other things.

 

Dunno.  It's a good time to do some reading and be prepared.

I am not touchy about it.....I still think it's too many and very risky

[Str8Shooter]

The only reason that disease is spreading is because of poor sanitary habits. The ONLY way it spreads is by direct contact, and by the time the person is contagious they are usually too weak to go anywhere. It can be transmitted sexually for up to three months. Education will likely stop the spread of this disease.

I really think sending troops is a political move to make certain politicians look good.

[Just_A_Guy]

The only reason that disease is spreading is because of poor sanitary habits. The ONLY way it spreads is by direct contact, . . .

Contact with bodily fluid, not just the host himself. Contact with sheets/bedding/clothing can infect you. And while it's not technically "airborne", you can be infected by inhaling large droplets of matter expelled by an infected person who sneezes within a radius of three to five feet.

. . , and by the time the person is contagious they are usually too weak to go anywhere. It can be transmitted sexually for up to three months.

Huh? So, the people who have spread Ebola by having sex, were nevertheless too ill to leave their homes?

Education will likely stop the spread of this disease.

I hope so; but it hasn't stopped the spread of the flu.

I really think sending troops is a political move to make certain politicians look good.

I fully agree with you on this.

[Palerider]

Makes me wonder how or what will stop the troops from bringing it back here ??

[jerome1232]

I imagine they'd be better at setting up and maintaining quarantines than mistrusted doctors. It does seem perplexing to me that we are getting involved though.

[Str8Shooter]

Contact with bodily fluid, not just the host himself. Contact with sheets/bedding/clothing can infect you. And while it's not technically "airborne", you can be infected by inhaling large droplets of matter expelled by an infected person who sneezes within a radius of three to five feet.

Huh? So, the people who have spread Ebola by having sex, were nevertheless too ill to leave their homes?

I hope so; but it hasn't stopped the spread of the flu.

I fully agree with you on this.

The few survivors of the disease that are male can infect people for up to three months by...well...doin the nasty, if you know what I mean.

I highly doubt that education can ever stop the flu because it is so incredibly contagious. The flu can be spread by speaking and it can be spread by someone who has no symptoms. With Ebola, people are not contagious until they show symptoms.

So basically, if Ebola mutates and can be transmitted like the flu, we're pretty much hosed.

I'm not so sure now about the troops. I just read that several aid workers were murdered by villagers thinking that the aid workers were spreading the disease. Still, 3000 is a lot of boots.

[Still_Small_Voice]

This makes me glad I did not join the military.  I think this is an abuse of our troops.  I heard these troops are getting a mere four hours of training on the ebola virus.  This is not adequate.  Anyone that is in these hot zones should be quarantined for 35 days before being allowed to return to the United States or any of its bases.

Edited October 18, 2014 by Still_Small_Voice

[NightSG]

This makes me glad I did not join the military.  I think this is an abuse of our troops.  I heard these troops are getting a mere four hours of training on the ebola virus.  This is not adequate.  Anyone that is in these hot zones should be quarantined for 35 days before being allowed to return to the United States or any of its bases.

 

Nope; they plan to ship 'em back right away if they get sick.  Might as well just call them the Vector Battalion.

 

And if you think our "first world hygiene and sanitation" will keep us safe, just remember we still have salmonella and E coli issues here fairly often.