printBy the dictionary’s telling, epidemiology is “the branch of medicine that deals with the study of the causes, distribution, and control of disease in populations.” During an outbreak, that necessitates tracing “Patient Zero,” the “single individual who bears the unknowing responsibility for having introduced the disease” to a certain population.
The AIDS outbreak in North American, as documented in the late Randy Shilts’ And the Band Played On, was traced to Gaetan Dugas, a dashing, promiscuous Canadian flight attendant. Dugas had had approximately 1000 sexual partners.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have posted a preliminary update as to the status of the investigation into “Human Swine Influenza.”
We are assured that, “Investigations are ongoing to determine the source of the infection and whether additional people have been infected with similar swine influenza viruses.”
Will the Gaetan Dugas of the Mexican swine flu outbreak be identified to the public? Somehow I doubt it.
Just the other day, passive American tokers and dopers were blamed for the fact that Mexican murderers were killing one another over drugs. Like Bush before him, Barack and Madam Hildebeest, will find a way to saddle the US for the spread of another disease.
Updated I (April 26): The Swines Are AWOL. I said it in my latest column, “To Bug Or Not To Bug Abu Zubaydah’s Cage.” You can trust the government’s untrustworthiness–always. Whether the enemy is a human or a viral invader, “America’s deracinated elites [will never fail] to elevate the interests of the enemy above those of the people.”
We accuse China of not looking out for its people, but as Drudge reports, “in Hong Kong, health officials said checks at border crossings had been stepped up and that airlines had been asked to broadcast messages on all flights coming direct from affected areas.”
“In Japan, airports tightened checks on passengers arriving from Mexico, with quarantine officials giving out face masks and using thermography imaging cameras to screen for passengers with a fever.”
Bloomberg: “Russia suspended imports of all meat from Mexico and the U.S. states of Texas, California and Kansas.”
Reuters: Even Guatemalan mask-wearing health officials “interview passengers arriving from Mexico.”
Drum Roll: “US says not testing travelers from Mexico for flu.”
Enforcing the borders and preventing a foreign invasion is perfectly within the purview of the “night-watchman state of classical-liberal theory,” in the words of the late philosopher, Robert Nozick.
Constitutionally, that is the most basic role of government.
Ms. Mercer: Excellent post. I had to chuckle when I read your prediction that the US will be blamed for this epidemic — very likely with racial (as in accusations of racist intentions) overtones!
According to this report, airline passengers on flights arriving from Mexico will not be screened for the disease: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/first100days/2009/04/26/napolitano-cdc-hold-joint-news-conference-swine-flu/
but according to this one, http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/altss/mobile/breakingnews/115120.php Mexico City airport officials were trying to prevent infected individuals from boarding planes.
One conclusion: Our government, negligent as usual in matters of our _real_ security, would be delighted if widespread infection occurred here. Heck, it would give them a chance to show they are “doing something” by means perhaps including strict quarantines, questioning of citizens (but not illegal border crossers), perhaps even detention. If they can somehow “trace” a branch of infection to “right-wing extremists,” so much the better!
Could this be another, in the words of Rahm Emanuel, “never waste a good crises?”
Your last sentence is prescient, perhaps prophetic.
Not to detract in any way from your point (excellent, as always) but rather to give credit where due, I would like to clarify that the Hong Kong government, and not the central government in Beijing, oversees matters of immigration (and economy) with regards to the former colony in accordance with Hong Kong’s autonomous status. Certainly, on both accounts, they deserve commendation.
Heard you on Mike Church this morn. Great interview, Great blog.
You would think that, logically, this outbreak would be a great argument AGAINST globalization by the elites. You would be wrong.
Actually, recent evidence suggests that HIV was introduced into the United States by an unknown Haitian around 1969:
http://www.reuters.com/article/scienceNews/idUSN2954500820071030
At any rate, I’m not sure screening airline passengers for flu would work. People recently infected might not have any symptoms when getting off the plane. The disease is probably already in the United States, and even if it wasn’t the government is incapable of totally sealing the border.