Am I imagining things, or is everyone ignoring the greatest impending disaster of our lifetimes? A recent study on the Avian Flu, which is really just repeating the same thing scientists have been saying all along, is almost too frightening to comprehend. But how do we stand by and pretend it isn't happening? Our government is obviously more concerned with fending off subpoenas than taking serious preventative measures against a flu pandemic. But why are people not taking to the streets to demand that more is done?
My guess is that most people don't want to consider the seriousness of this threat. The general attitude, I'm assuming, is one of "I'll worry about it IF it happens." Perhaps the worst misconception about the pandemic scare is that since the virus hasn't yet mutated into a form easily spread from human-to-human, then there's the chance that it won't happen. Scientists aren't saying, a pandemic is possible. They're not even saying that a pandemic is likely.
The world's leading disease experts agree that an Avian Flu pandemic is INEVITABLE.
Inevitable. It will happen. No chance of avoiding it. It's reality.
A projected death toll of 2 million people within the United States.
A projection of 90 million people within the US infected overall. As I understand it, these are people who do not die from the illness, but are expected to suffer prolonged time away from work to recuperate.
The more money that we throw at this problem, the faster scientists will progress toward a vaccine that works. There currently is a vaccine prototype, but it only seems to work about 50% of the time. Also, if a pandemic broke out within the next year, we would not have the resources available to even reproduce that vaccine for the population.
Our government's answer? Ignore it. Draw as little attention to it as possible and people won't make a fuss about it. That way we can keep funneling money into Iraq. The administration knows that Iraq is a disaster. But as long as they can keep the war going until the next election, they won't have to clean it up. Then when the next administration pulls out of the war, Bush and his minions can say, "At least WE didn't surrender."
If anyone knows of agencies or organizations that are currently trying to raise awareness, not to mention money, in the hope of combating the Avian Flu, I'd be very thankful if you could let me know. I've been searching around myself, but there doesn't seem to be much out there. Other than the standby of writing to our state representatives, what else can we do to help push for more funding and emergency preparation? Feel free to post any information so that others can read it. If you just want to vent frustration, that's welcome, too.
Sorry to bring down the room. But when it comes to the survival of my species, I'm serious as a shitattack, Dawg.
Peace.
Recent Comments