tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2532313388110978122.post6467686523357490129..comments2023-10-28T00:47:18.069-07:00Comments on Weeks Population: High-Tech Methods to Track EbolaJohn Weekshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04069566137451684355noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2532313388110978122.post-50267391941252525412014-10-17T11:27:12.116-07:002014-10-17T11:27:12.116-07:00just some second thoughts as I absorb the news in ...just some second thoughts as I absorb the news in your article. I find it amusing at some level ... the USA always seems to want to look at the world through a pair of binoculars. We seem to want to sit in our own "safe refuge" and say ... "Just give me the information I need!". In practice, things are not so easy. African hospitals can be crowded anyway. Patients sit around for days, and get no attention. it doesnt matter whether they have ebola or just the common cold ... nobody helps them very much that is so typical.<br /><br />What the USA always needs ... and never has ... is accurate human intelligence. We need real on-theground reporting. It is conceivable that this can be set up in Africa - they are just going about it the wrong way. The issue still boils down to the essentials ... people in Africa are not our "data points". They are human beings. So if we can respect their dignity - we can get the information we want. <br /><br />Pete Pollock, Redondo Beach, CAAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2532313388110978122.post-2334826182936830802014-10-17T10:46:19.483-07:002014-10-17T10:46:19.483-07:00I think their BEST strategy is to "Isolate An...I think their BEST strategy is to "Isolate And Contain" the virus to the continent of Africa. In other words, do everything possible to prevent infected people from leaving Africa. I know they already have some steps in place ... but not a highly-reliable screen. The "Containment Within Africa" strategy needs to be made highly effective. AS FAST AS POSSIBLE!! Otherwise, once infected people get into the air transportation systems of the world - the virus can go anywhere.<br /><br />I thought the idea of monitoring cell phone calls is quite ingenious. But as you and I both know, there are many people in rural Africa who lack cell phones, or have limited coverage. I am skeptical that they will stop the virus in W. Africa - the chances of a spilllover to Central Africa and E. Africa seem high to me. I'd love to believe they could stop it in W. Africa, Knowing the place well, and the ability of this virus to transmit, I doubt they can stop it so easlity. BTW, the next country with very high risks for widespread transmission is a place near and dear to your own heart - Ghana!! <br /><br />The ONLY way to truly monitor the actual progress on the ground in Africa ... is having people on the ground. Tracking this disease is very high risk, but it will have to be done on the ground. It can be done. It is just that the US respone has been so random and disorganized. The greatest risk to the world right now ... is ignorance. We cannot fight an "enemy" ... if we dont know where it is. <br /><br />Pete Pollock Ph.D., Redondo Beach, CAAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com