DHS Sets Guidelines For Possible Swine Flu Quarantines

[nadinbrzezinski]

DHS Sets Guidelines For Possible Swine Flu Quarantines
Posted by Declan McCullagh | 1



(AP / CBS)

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has sent a memo to some health care providers noting procedures to be followed if the swine flu outbreak eventually makes quarantines necessary.

DHS Assistant Secretary Bridger McGaw circulated the swine flu memo, which was obtained by CBSNews.com, on Monday night. It says: "The Department of Justice has established legal federal authorities pertaining to the implementation of a quarantine and enforcement. Under approval from HHS, the Surgeon General has the authority to issue quarantines."

McGaw appears to have been referring to the section of federal law that allows the Surgeon General to detain and quarantine Americans "reasonably believed to be infected" with a communicable disease. A Centers for Disease Control official said on Tuesday that swine flu deaths in the U.S. are likely.

http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/04/28/politics/politicalhotsheet/entry4975598.shtml

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Yes they have the authority

And yes they are taking it seriously, like any rational adult should

Now cue the deniers, the it could not be serious crowd!

Now after the deniers have fun with this, I mean now the FEDS are going to cause a panic, here is what you need to do

CHECK if there have been any cases in your hometown, or nearby (check)

Check to make sure you have enough canned goods to live in a quarantine situation, aka at home, for a week or more

If not, GO GET THEM CANNED GOODS

And just because you are NOT in an area affected RIGHT NOW... DO THIS anyway.

Hey, good for disaster preparedness anyway

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. CRITICAL to this story

[Warren Stupidity]

2. I just got finished reading that quarantine for this sort of situation is

worse than useless. Here: http://scienceblogs.com/effectmeasure/2009/04/swine_flu_isolation_and_quaran.php

Isolation of infected individuals with active illness is appropriate, quarantine of everyone who has been in contact with an infected person or area will fail badly and increase the risk of pandemic.

[Hannah Bell]

3. Well, since thus far most every confirmed US case has been "mild," it

doesn't look like quarantine is in the cards unless something changes.

[hlthe2b]

4. The reason why it worked with SARS but not with Influenza....

Those infected with SARS did not become communicable until AFTER symptoms developed; with Influenza one can be infectious for 24-48 hours PRIOR to symptoms developing. Very different situations.

[nadinbrzezinski]

5. What I think they will do is what they've done in mexico if things get bad

close public spaces

Close museums

Close schools

Keep people at home...

They are meant to short cut the transmission and given Mexico City has been essentially on it, will see



Now if I take you and all your neighbors and force you into a camp you are right will not work

Also why CDC is trying to parse words

But if my local mayor says to people stay home, isolation, yeah whatever buddy

Now if he says, this is a mandatory quarantine, all are to stay at their homes for a week, and Guard and police will enforce it

Now the plans and the authority is in place, and given US history, get some canned goods.

Even if it does not work, you can guarantee a mayor or two will use it

(Thinking of my current idiot at city hall)

Oh and this is the concluding paragraph from your link


"CDC has rarely used its quarantine authority, and I don't expect it to use it in this instance. But I wouldn't rule out state and local authorities doing so out of fear.

Fear happens."

[Hannah Bell]

6. "If" space aliens invade we'll all get laser guns.

but so far, no signs of that.