There has been a considerable amount of news on the Fukushima Nuclear Disaster. Even though we’re being bombarded with information now, I bet a lot of it is misinformation, disinformation or even downright lies. Why? Because the government of Japan, country where the incident occurred, cannot allow the people to know the full extent of damage because this would likely cause a massive unrest, migration of people or even cause people to overthrow of the government.
It’s worth recalling the Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster which was initially labeled as “an incident” later became known as a disaster. Government of Ukraine was careful to release data only sparingly to let people get mentally adjusted to the new reality slowly. Rapid release of information could potentially cause a confusion and denial, turning into anger…and government overthrow.
This is the reason why Japan is releasing information slowly, or not releasing it at all. They know better.
The human cost is not really known. People affected by Fukushima disaster will continue to suffer and die of the consequences of radiation for considerable time. The current figures are misleading, because they will likely be revised upwards as time goes by.
Some interesting statistics include:
Estimated cost of Fukushima Disaster clean-up (so far):$70.1 billion-246 billion
Estimated cost of Chernobyl Disaster clean-up (in 2005 dollars):$235 billion
Cited sources:
www.wikipedia.com
5/26/2011
Emergency Preparedness Philosophy
There are many reasons why people frequently don’t talk about preparedness for emergencies. For some it is a silly concept; after all there are no shortages of anything in the stores these days. For others, it’s about a mental road block called “Really bad things happen only to other people, not to me.” After all there are many reasons anyone can cite against preparing for the worst.
Let me cite some reasons why I personally believe in preparation for emergencies, ie. the bad days.
1. Storms in Midwest. Many are without utilities, food, water.
Would it not have been nice to have some bottled water or canned
food stored in the basement before the storms hit.
2. Earthquakes in Japan which led to a nuclear disaster. Reports
from Japan stated that there were shortages of pretty much
everything days after the disaster, since people began buying in
bulk anything they could lay their hands on, especially water and
food.
3. 911. Need I say more?
4. Bad economy.
5. Zombie Apocalypse. I talk about it in entries below.
6. Loss of a job.
7. Freedom from shortages of basic supplies.
8. The great unknown, otherwise known as a “Black Swan”. It is an
event extremely rare, but gravely dangerous. 911 is in this
category.
9. Stock market crash.
10. Emergencies are inevitable.
It’s easy to add, or to subtract from this list. What is a fact is that sometimes bad things, or even really bad things just happen. There is no rhyme, no reason for it. It’s wise to be prepared for it…ahead of time.
Let me cite some reasons why I personally believe in preparation for emergencies, ie. the bad days.
1. Storms in Midwest. Many are without utilities, food, water.
Would it not have been nice to have some bottled water or canned
food stored in the basement before the storms hit.
2. Earthquakes in Japan which led to a nuclear disaster. Reports
from Japan stated that there were shortages of pretty much
everything days after the disaster, since people began buying in
bulk anything they could lay their hands on, especially water and
food.
3. 911. Need I say more?
4. Bad economy.
5. Zombie Apocalypse. I talk about it in entries below.
6. Loss of a job.
7. Freedom from shortages of basic supplies.
8. The great unknown, otherwise known as a “Black Swan”. It is an
event extremely rare, but gravely dangerous. 911 is in this
category.
9. Stock market crash.
10. Emergencies are inevitable.
It’s easy to add, or to subtract from this list. What is a fact is that sometimes bad things, or even really bad things just happen. There is no rhyme, no reason for it. It’s wise to be prepared for it…ahead of time.
To all the victims of storms in the Midwest
I am writing this entry to offer my deep sympathy to all the people in the Midwest who became casualties of this ferocious weather. I’ve decided to do my share to help you guys out in the only way I know how, and so over the next few weeks I intend to write more on a topic of emergency preparedness.
It’s the least I can do.
Some practical things that people in disaster areas can do, include:
1. Boiling ALL water. Some pipelines carrying water are bound to be damaged causing pollution of water supply with all kinds of contaminants. I know that if I were stuck in Joplin Mo., for example, I would be soiling my pants just looking at the devastation. I would not want to end up with diarrhea on top of that, due to water contaminated with Giardia, which is a parasite that likes to live in contaminated water. For those whose water supply was cut can in an emergency melt and boil snow, hail, or rain water. If the water you have available is visibly dirty, you can strain it through cloth, or a gauze and then boil it.
2. Stocking up on food. I understand that it may be too late for some to do that. For those without access to food, you can consider making a home-made rehydration fluid. You will need to dissolve 5 teaspoons of sugar and 1 teaspoon of salt in a quart of water. Salt contains an ion (chemical) called Sodium which lost from human body through sweating, and it functions in proper fluid balance in the body (ie. without it you’re a dead meat). Sugar is essentially glucose, which is necessary to give the body the energy it needs to function.
3. Finding a shelter. For those whose homes were destroyed maybe it’s worth asking a neighbor, or even a complete stranger for help with that. If this is not possible, it is worth considering making yourself a hut made of debris to survive.
The above are minimal requirements necessary for a human to survive in adverse conditions. There are others of course, but more on emergency preparedness later.
Facts worth knowing:
Survival time for a healthy adult in 60 degree weather who is without water is about 10 days.
Survival time for a healthy adult in 60 degree weather who is without food is about 4-6 weeks. (During World War II war prisoners lived about 28-40 days without food)
Good luck to you all.
Site consulted
www.survivaltopics.com
It’s the least I can do.
Some practical things that people in disaster areas can do, include:
1. Boiling ALL water. Some pipelines carrying water are bound to be damaged causing pollution of water supply with all kinds of contaminants. I know that if I were stuck in Joplin Mo., for example, I would be soiling my pants just looking at the devastation. I would not want to end up with diarrhea on top of that, due to water contaminated with Giardia, which is a parasite that likes to live in contaminated water. For those whose water supply was cut can in an emergency melt and boil snow, hail, or rain water. If the water you have available is visibly dirty, you can strain it through cloth, or a gauze and then boil it.
2. Stocking up on food. I understand that it may be too late for some to do that. For those without access to food, you can consider making a home-made rehydration fluid. You will need to dissolve 5 teaspoons of sugar and 1 teaspoon of salt in a quart of water. Salt contains an ion (chemical) called Sodium which lost from human body through sweating, and it functions in proper fluid balance in the body (ie. without it you’re a dead meat). Sugar is essentially glucose, which is necessary to give the body the energy it needs to function.
3. Finding a shelter. For those whose homes were destroyed maybe it’s worth asking a neighbor, or even a complete stranger for help with that. If this is not possible, it is worth considering making yourself a hut made of debris to survive.
The above are minimal requirements necessary for a human to survive in adverse conditions. There are others of course, but more on emergency preparedness later.
Facts worth knowing:
Survival time for a healthy adult in 60 degree weather who is without water is about 10 days.
Survival time for a healthy adult in 60 degree weather who is without food is about 4-6 weeks. (During World War II war prisoners lived about 28-40 days without food)
Good luck to you all.
Site consulted
www.survivaltopics.com
5/25/2011
Zombie Apocalypse Epidemiology, ie. Science of Zombies
Two years ago 4 mathematicians from University of Ottawa in Canada published a paper in a peer-reviewed book, modeling a fictional outbreak of zombies, kind of like the one from movie “28 Days Later”. The question these scientists were trying to answer was what would happen if a true zombie outbreak took place. The results were startling.
1. In zombie outbreak short in duration mathematical models revealed that zombies will infect everyone. This means that zombies take over quickly and people lose.
2. In zombie outbreak with latent infection, meaning it takes few hours from the time a human is infected to the time a person turns into a zombie, people again lose “the battle” with the zombies. The only positive news is that it takes about twice as long for the humanity to be overrun by zombies.
3. In zombie outbreak where the zombies are quarantined (it is an unrealistic model due to infrastructure limitations) zombies gain an upper hand and the living lose. This is due to the fact that it is not possible to find and quarantine every zombie.
4. In a zombie outbreak model where a treatment for “the zombie disease” is found, people end up existing in low numbers. This is because while zombies multiply simply by biting a healthy human, people multiply through a lengthy process called procreation and pregnancy, which takes at least 9 months.
5. In a zombie outbreak model where people quickly recognize the threat of zombies, and mobilize to eradicate the threat scientists determined that it would take about 2 weeks to destroy all zombies. Again this is an unrealistic scenario.
No wonder people are afraid of zombies. Dr. Khan of CDC who is warning us all of zombie apocalypse is right when he tells us to prepare.
1. In zombie outbreak short in duration mathematical models revealed that zombies will infect everyone. This means that zombies take over quickly and people lose.
2. In zombie outbreak with latent infection, meaning it takes few hours from the time a human is infected to the time a person turns into a zombie, people again lose “the battle” with the zombies. The only positive news is that it takes about twice as long for the humanity to be overrun by zombies.
3. In zombie outbreak where the zombies are quarantined (it is an unrealistic model due to infrastructure limitations) zombies gain an upper hand and the living lose. This is due to the fact that it is not possible to find and quarantine every zombie.
4. In a zombie outbreak model where a treatment for “the zombie disease” is found, people end up existing in low numbers. This is because while zombies multiply simply by biting a healthy human, people multiply through a lengthy process called procreation and pregnancy, which takes at least 9 months.
5. In a zombie outbreak model where people quickly recognize the threat of zombies, and mobilize to eradicate the threat scientists determined that it would take about 2 weeks to destroy all zombies. Again this is an unrealistic scenario.
No wonder people are afraid of zombies. Dr. Khan of CDC who is warning us all of zombie apocalypse is right when he tells us to prepare.
5/24/2011
Zombie Apocalypse
Recently a posting on a reputable Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website sent waves across the internet due to the posting on their emergency preparedness page about an impending ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE. Yes, you have read it correctly; a zombie apocalypse. The writer of this particular post, Assistant Surgeon General Ali S. Khan who is a decorated US navy man and a medical doctor stated that we should be preparing for the end of the world caused by the dead returning to life. Initially, I thought that CDC website was hijacked by a bunch of weed-smoking alcoholics, that is, until I thought about it a little harder…OK, a lot harder.
I kept thinking to myself as to why a man of such stature within the medical community would risk a downright ridicule by warning the general public that zombies would cause the end of the world as we know it. After all, zombies are a stuff of movies, fiction, or children nightmares not of legitimate concern, right? The simplest answer to that question would be that he must have had a darn good reason to warn the public about a threat. He must know something we all don’t.
Upon closer examination of his biography on CDC website, it turned out that Dr. Khan is a specialist in biodefense as well as emerging infectious diseases. He knows better than all of us what the current “state of the art” biological weapons can do. And yes, a disease that can cause a dead human to reanimate, would have to be a state-of-the-art biological weapon. Maybe out there somewhere there is such a disease waiting for its first victim, ie. “Patient Zero”. ...And Dr. Khan is risking ridicule warning us about it. I cannot dismiss Dr. Khan’s remarks as pure fiction.
Zombie fans: I’m with you on this. Zombies are coming.
More on that later.
I kept thinking to myself as to why a man of such stature within the medical community would risk a downright ridicule by warning the general public that zombies would cause the end of the world as we know it. After all, zombies are a stuff of movies, fiction, or children nightmares not of legitimate concern, right? The simplest answer to that question would be that he must have had a darn good reason to warn the public about a threat. He must know something we all don’t.
Upon closer examination of his biography on CDC website, it turned out that Dr. Khan is a specialist in biodefense as well as emerging infectious diseases. He knows better than all of us what the current “state of the art” biological weapons can do. And yes, a disease that can cause a dead human to reanimate, would have to be a state-of-the-art biological weapon. Maybe out there somewhere there is such a disease waiting for its first victim, ie. “Patient Zero”. ...And Dr. Khan is risking ridicule warning us about it. I cannot dismiss Dr. Khan’s remarks as pure fiction.
Zombie fans: I’m with you on this. Zombies are coming.
More on that later.
Time to wake up from the slumber.
I'll begin posting more regularly soon. In the meantime, don't forget to watch less TV, eat your vegetables, and smile at least once a day.
9/11/2010
Universal Health Insurance
It seems I was wrong about supporting the universal option on health insurance. The deficit spending will rise as a result causing more pain to the economy. The worst of it is that even though the law was passed, we're still waiting for the results. Politicians promise we'll see results in 2015. If they fail to materialize then they will just postpone the date to 2020...or later, just to keep people waiting. Promises, promises.
11/17/2009
The "Ukraine Flu" in Poland.
There has been a lot of news articles all over the internet recently regarding the impact of "Ukraine Flu" on the population of country lying in Eastern part of Europe.
Right now I'm in Krakow, Poland which is north-west of Lviv, Ukraine, about 182 miles (293km) away. Over the past few weeks I've been monitoring this situation on a local level and so far there has been no word on cases of this disease here in southern Poland. People are going about their daily activities without any worries. I have not seen anyone wearing face masks, respirators, etc. on the street.
All schools, universities, shops, and hospitals are open. I haven't seen or heard of any closure of public events. Local Polish Medical Mission (pmm.org.pl) did not send any doctors to Ukraine to help battle the outbreak. However, it has been reported that few doctors from Poland were sent there to help contain the outbreak.
Right now I'm in Krakow, Poland which is north-west of Lviv, Ukraine, about 182 miles (293km) away. Over the past few weeks I've been monitoring this situation on a local level and so far there has been no word on cases of this disease here in southern Poland. People are going about their daily activities without any worries. I have not seen anyone wearing face masks, respirators, etc. on the street.
All schools, universities, shops, and hospitals are open. I haven't seen or heard of any closure of public events. Local Polish Medical Mission (pmm.org.pl) did not send any doctors to Ukraine to help battle the outbreak. However, it has been reported that few doctors from Poland were sent there to help contain the outbreak.
11/08/2009
Update: Obama public option on insurance.
This train is gaining momentum...
After US Senate Finance Committee gave its nod of approval for Obama's plan to provide most of the uninsured with an affordable insurance alternative many, including me, cheered. However others were more reserved about achieving this major milestone on the road to insuring the public saying it still had a way to go. Just yesterday however, the supporters of Obama's plan on healthcare received more good news in form of a US House of Representatives approval for the plan to go ahead.
With this kind of a momentum going for it, it sure looks like the dream of insuring the poor, and the uninsured, is quickly becoming a reality. Who knows, maybe November 7, 2009 House of Representatives decision on healthcare reform will be written into history books.
One more win for the underdog, or in this case the uninsured.
After US Senate Finance Committee gave its nod of approval for Obama's plan to provide most of the uninsured with an affordable insurance alternative many, including me, cheered. However others were more reserved about achieving this major milestone on the road to insuring the public saying it still had a way to go. Just yesterday however, the supporters of Obama's plan on healthcare received more good news in form of a US House of Representatives approval for the plan to go ahead.
With this kind of a momentum going for it, it sure looks like the dream of insuring the poor, and the uninsured, is quickly becoming a reality. Who knows, maybe November 7, 2009 House of Representatives decision on healthcare reform will be written into history books.
One more win for the underdog, or in this case the uninsured.
10/18/2009
Will plague return?
When people think of plague they associate it with medieval Europe, where Black Death caused a tremendous death toll among Europeans. However, there are indications that plague can, and will return to haunt us once again.
Earlier this year, a number of newspapers worldwide began reporting on an outbreak of plague in a terrorist camp in Algeria where members of the group were found dead after exposure to the bacteria(4). Although the outbreak died out, the bacteria is still out there. Apparently terrorists who got their hands on it did not know how to handle it. It is sobering to think that there are many terrorists out there who are actively trying to get their hands on potential weapons of mass destruction such as plague. This is a reminder that such group could potentially become a culprit in an outbreak of plague.
Furthermore, there is continuous discussion about funding for research on dangerous germs, including plague, to help us find new treatments for it. However, there are big drawbacks to such a noble sounding cause; just recently a scientist working on plague out of University of Chicago became sick, and died (2). Just think how easy it would be to cause an epidemic in this case. A plague scientist in a lab located in a major metropolitan area gets infected with plague and dies. How easy would it be for this incident to spiral into a full blown outbreak? Imagine, a scientist getting infected at work, then going home only to find out he or she caught the bug, infecting countless people on the way.
Another potential source of plague epidemics are wars. All conflicts are associated with destruction, death, and unsanitary conditions. Rats, which are found everywhere, carry plague and can easily multiply in such conditions spreading germs to humans through contact. And, as always, there is an unforeseeable but ever present danger of a random plague outbreak, such as the one in Libya (1), where people got sick, but were successfully treated. It could have been a lot worse.
Although our healthcare system is much more advanced, the thought of plague return should send shivers down our spines. Our hospitals, and entire infrastructure, would have a difficulty handling all the cases (patients) if plague were to reappear on a massive scale. For example, in a plague outbreak in China in August of this year, an entire city had to be sealed off from the surroundings in order to prevent its spread (3). The only way to control the spread of this disease was through quarantine of an entire city! Another good example, closer to home, illustrating how difficult it would be to control an infectious disease on a massive scale, and deal with the sick, is the current flu pandemic. Even though flu has been around for thousands of years, upon appearance of a new strain called H1N1 flu, there was suddenly a considerable discussion regarding closure of schools, planning for work place absenteeism, stockpiling of Tamiflu, etc.
…And flu has a much lower mortality rate than plague.
What can we do? We can educate ourselves about plague; just “google it.” Knowledge is power, and in this case knowing means remaining alert and aware.
Will plague return? Yes, it most likely will. The likely culprit? Human nature.
Works Cited:
1. BBC News. Bubonic plague reported in Libya. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8105144.stm 6/17/2009. Last Accessed 10/18/2009.
2. Global Security Newswire. Researcher's Death Possibly Linked to Plague. http://www.globalsecuritynewswire.org/gsn/nw_20090922_3542.php
9/22/2009 Last Accessed 10/18/2009
3. MSNBC News. China seals off town amid plague outbreak. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32265866 8/3/2009, Last Accessed 10/18/2009
4. West, Alex. Deadliest weapon so far... the plague. http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article2146286.ece 1/19/2009, Last Accessed 10/18/2009
Earlier this year, a number of newspapers worldwide began reporting on an outbreak of plague in a terrorist camp in Algeria where members of the group were found dead after exposure to the bacteria(4). Although the outbreak died out, the bacteria is still out there. Apparently terrorists who got their hands on it did not know how to handle it. It is sobering to think that there are many terrorists out there who are actively trying to get their hands on potential weapons of mass destruction such as plague. This is a reminder that such group could potentially become a culprit in an outbreak of plague.
Furthermore, there is continuous discussion about funding for research on dangerous germs, including plague, to help us find new treatments for it. However, there are big drawbacks to such a noble sounding cause; just recently a scientist working on plague out of University of Chicago became sick, and died (2). Just think how easy it would be to cause an epidemic in this case. A plague scientist in a lab located in a major metropolitan area gets infected with plague and dies. How easy would it be for this incident to spiral into a full blown outbreak? Imagine, a scientist getting infected at work, then going home only to find out he or she caught the bug, infecting countless people on the way.
Another potential source of plague epidemics are wars. All conflicts are associated with destruction, death, and unsanitary conditions. Rats, which are found everywhere, carry plague and can easily multiply in such conditions spreading germs to humans through contact. And, as always, there is an unforeseeable but ever present danger of a random plague outbreak, such as the one in Libya (1), where people got sick, but were successfully treated. It could have been a lot worse.
Although our healthcare system is much more advanced, the thought of plague return should send shivers down our spines. Our hospitals, and entire infrastructure, would have a difficulty handling all the cases (patients) if plague were to reappear on a massive scale. For example, in a plague outbreak in China in August of this year, an entire city had to be sealed off from the surroundings in order to prevent its spread (3). The only way to control the spread of this disease was through quarantine of an entire city! Another good example, closer to home, illustrating how difficult it would be to control an infectious disease on a massive scale, and deal with the sick, is the current flu pandemic. Even though flu has been around for thousands of years, upon appearance of a new strain called H1N1 flu, there was suddenly a considerable discussion regarding closure of schools, planning for work place absenteeism, stockpiling of Tamiflu, etc.
…And flu has a much lower mortality rate than plague.
What can we do? We can educate ourselves about plague; just “google it.” Knowledge is power, and in this case knowing means remaining alert and aware.
Will plague return? Yes, it most likely will. The likely culprit? Human nature.
Works Cited:
1. BBC News. Bubonic plague reported in Libya. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8105144.stm 6/17/2009. Last Accessed 10/18/2009.
2. Global Security Newswire. Researcher's Death Possibly Linked to Plague. http://www.globalsecuritynewswire.org/gsn/nw_20090922_3542.php
9/22/2009 Last Accessed 10/18/2009
3. MSNBC News. China seals off town amid plague outbreak. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32265866 8/3/2009, Last Accessed 10/18/2009
4. West, Alex. Deadliest weapon so far... the plague. http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article2146286.ece 1/19/2009, Last Accessed 10/18/2009
10/17/2009
Is smallpox truly an eradicated disease?
According to conventional wisdom smallpox disease was eradicated in 1980, with samples of the virus being locked away in high security labs located at two research institutes, one in USA, and the other in Russia (1). The reason smallpox is still stored there, instead of being destroyed, is due to vague logic on part of scientific community, which states that more research is needed to be done on this disease (1).
Unfortunately more recently evidence began accumulating that North Korea may have stockpiles of smallpox virus (2). Intelligence agents of countries around the globe began to uncover proof that North Korea never destroyed remaining stock after the global eradication campaign was over, leading to the assumption that smallpox may have been weaponized (2).
Smallpox makes a poor weapon though. It spreads very easily, and therefore can affect both the attacking as well as the attacked militaries, and further spreading worldwide, causing a horrific pandemic.
Given the irrationality of North Korea’s regime, and given its propensity for selling their weapon technology, as evidenced by trades of nuclear technology with other unstable regimes, smallpox could already have been sold to other nations for the right price.
It is worth to consider the thought that this disease can no longer be considered eradicated. Anyone could have it, if they paid the right price. Question about who else has this disease in their inventory remains.
Works Consulted:
1. Herriman, Robert. Where are the stocks of smallpox located? Examiner Online. http://www.examiner.com/x-7707-Tampa-Disease-Prevention-Examiner~y2009m8d5-Where-are-the-stocks-of-smallpox-located. Published 8/5/2009. Last Accessed 10/17/2009.
2. Parry, Richard. North Korea can unleas 13 types of biological agent, South Korea says. Times Online. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article6862306.ece. Published: 10/6/2009. Last accessed 10/17/2009
Unfortunately more recently evidence began accumulating that North Korea may have stockpiles of smallpox virus (2). Intelligence agents of countries around the globe began to uncover proof that North Korea never destroyed remaining stock after the global eradication campaign was over, leading to the assumption that smallpox may have been weaponized (2).
Smallpox makes a poor weapon though. It spreads very easily, and therefore can affect both the attacking as well as the attacked militaries, and further spreading worldwide, causing a horrific pandemic.
Given the irrationality of North Korea’s regime, and given its propensity for selling their weapon technology, as evidenced by trades of nuclear technology with other unstable regimes, smallpox could already have been sold to other nations for the right price.
It is worth to consider the thought that this disease can no longer be considered eradicated. Anyone could have it, if they paid the right price. Question about who else has this disease in their inventory remains.
Works Consulted:
1. Herriman, Robert. Where are the stocks of smallpox located? Examiner Online. http://www.examiner.com/x-7707-Tampa-Disease-Prevention-Examiner~y2009m8d5-Where-are-the-stocks-of-smallpox-located. Published 8/5/2009. Last Accessed 10/17/2009.
2. Parry, Richard. North Korea can unleas 13 types of biological agent, South Korea says. Times Online. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article6862306.ece. Published: 10/6/2009. Last accessed 10/17/2009
10/16/2009
Public option debate
The current debate regarding healthcare reform instituted by President Barack Obama is causing considerable turmoil among healthcare industry experts, insurance industry agents, as well as the public among others. On one hand, Obama’s ambitious plan to insure more Americans is a hopeful sign that millions of uninsured will have at least limited access to a doctor, and will not be completely left out in the cold. However, the plan is still opposed by health insurers, who fear that they will lose a share of insurance market that was theirs.
Furthermore, some special interest groups catering to physicians fear that their interests are also threatened because, once the government option is in place, the government will be able to institute more price controls for various treatments which in turn will lower their reimbursement fees. This will create a downward pressure on physician wages.
In countries where socialized medicine is a norm such as UK, physician wages are lower, and in some countries such as Poland, considerably lower, than in US. With time, the decreased wages of physicians will cause a ripple effect, and can lead to a decrease in medical school enrollment as potential applicants may be turned off by high debts associated with medical school tuition, and lower salaries.
The simplest way to follow the public option healthcare debate is to follow where the money which patients or taxpayers pay is going, and then consider where the same money will be going once the public option is enacted.
Furthermore, some special interest groups catering to physicians fear that their interests are also threatened because, once the government option is in place, the government will be able to institute more price controls for various treatments which in turn will lower their reimbursement fees. This will create a downward pressure on physician wages.
In countries where socialized medicine is a norm such as UK, physician wages are lower, and in some countries such as Poland, considerably lower, than in US. With time, the decreased wages of physicians will cause a ripple effect, and can lead to a decrease in medical school enrollment as potential applicants may be turned off by high debts associated with medical school tuition, and lower salaries.
The simplest way to follow the public option healthcare debate is to follow where the money which patients or taxpayers pay is going, and then consider where the same money will be going once the public option is enacted.
10/14/2009
Ways to fight flu (H1N1 or any other type) during flu season:
The flu season is a time interval between November and April when infections with flu are at their peak.
Although you cannot completely avoid getting infected, you can help diminish the risk of getting sick following simple, time tested and cheap ways.
They include:
1. Washing your hands. If your hands are clean there will be less germs on them, and less chance of an infection. According to CDC, influenza
can remain on surfaces (including hands) for 2 to 8 hours.
2. Don't touch your eyes, nose or mouth with hands. Germs love to get to those places because they are warm, and moist, and safe, just like a perfect home.
3. Try to avoid contact with sick people. If it is not possible, try to stand at least 3 feet (at least 1 meter) from any person who you think may be infected. This is the distance sneeze droplets full of flu can travel.
4. Consider taking Vitamin C which is considered a booster for immune system.
5. Consider vaccination.
However, if you do find yourself with sore throat, runny/stuffy nose, headache, cough, fatigue, chills headache, fever, body ache, and sometimes even vomiting and diarrhea you could have a flu.
In such case there are other simple, time tested and cheap ways to combat the infection.
They include:
1. Getting over the counter medicines such as aspirin (for fever), or ibuprofen (for aches).
2. Avoid going to work. You could get into a lot of trouble if your own boss catches flu from you.
Stay at home for at least 24 hours after fever goes away. This is a current CDc recommendation.
3. Cover your mouth if you sneeze or cough. Use tissues, and wash your hands afterwards, even though it's a pain. If you don't want to, or can't move use alcohol based hand rubs.
4. Consider taking vitamin supplements.
Although you cannot completely avoid getting infected, you can help diminish the risk of getting sick following simple, time tested and cheap ways.
They include:
1. Washing your hands. If your hands are clean there will be less germs on them, and less chance of an infection. According to CDC, influenza
can remain on surfaces (including hands) for 2 to 8 hours.
2. Don't touch your eyes, nose or mouth with hands. Germs love to get to those places because they are warm, and moist, and safe, just like a perfect home.
3. Try to avoid contact with sick people. If it is not possible, try to stand at least 3 feet (at least 1 meter) from any person who you think may be infected. This is the distance sneeze droplets full of flu can travel.
4. Consider taking Vitamin C which is considered a booster for immune system.
5. Consider vaccination.
However, if you do find yourself with sore throat, runny/stuffy nose, headache, cough, fatigue, chills headache, fever, body ache, and sometimes even vomiting and diarrhea you could have a flu.
In such case there are other simple, time tested and cheap ways to combat the infection.
They include:
1. Getting over the counter medicines such as aspirin (for fever), or ibuprofen (for aches).
2. Avoid going to work. You could get into a lot of trouble if your own boss catches flu from you.
Stay at home for at least 24 hours after fever goes away. This is a current CDc recommendation.
3. Cover your mouth if you sneeze or cough. Use tissues, and wash your hands afterwards, even though it's a pain. If you don't want to, or can't move use alcohol based hand rubs.
4. Consider taking vitamin supplements.
10/13/2009
Update: Why I support Obama's public option on healthcare
It seems there is hope for Obama's plan to insure greater number of people in USA. Senate Finance Committee, by a majority vote, has laid a foundation for providing majority of people with health insurance.
It may mean greater government control of healthcare field, but good things come with costs. You can't have something for nothing.
It may mean greater government control of healthcare field, but good things come with costs. You can't have something for nothing.
Flu pandemic update
According to WHO and CDC as of 10/4/09 there are over 375,000 lab-confirmed cases of H1N1 influenza worldwide. However CDC report adds that those confirmed cases are seriously underestimated. This is because lab testing is usually done only on those who are severely ill, ignoring the rest. People whose symptoms are mild may not even know that they
contracted it.
This shows that in fact people around each, and everyone of us, may be getting sick with H1N1 flu and we may be unaware of it. I'm kind of wondering whether I had it last week when I felt a little 'under the weather' :)
contracted it.
This shows that in fact people around each, and everyone of us, may be getting sick with H1N1 flu and we may be unaware of it. I'm kind of wondering whether I had it last week when I felt a little 'under the weather' :)
Why I support Obama's public option on healthcare
For the past 5 years I've been studying medicine in Cracow, Poland. This is a city of about 800,000 in southern Poland, close to the Slovak Republic, in eastern Europe. When I came to Poland 5 years ago, I didn't know what health insurance for all citizens meant, until I became sick. I didn't know what was wrong with me then, but I knew I had a fever. My aunt directed me to go the nearest walk-in clinic and see a doctor. I couldn't believe it would be that simple, but I had no choice but to try it out. When I arrived a nurse asked me to fill out paperwork which included my DOB, city of residence, and my name. Within around 20 minutes I saw a doctor who did a short physical exam on me, prescribed me antibiotic, and I was free to go. I promptly went to a pharmacy to buy the medication, and in no time, I was getting better. Did I mention that I never received a bill from the doctor?
My experience with the public health option have been pleasant. Granted, I was never hospitalized or required a surgery, and I can't speak for all, however, for the poorest members of the American society, such option would be a potential life saver.
Should this be tried in US? You bet. Will it work? We won't know till we try.
My experience with the public health option have been pleasant. Granted, I was never hospitalized or required a surgery, and I can't speak for all, however, for the poorest members of the American society, such option would be a potential life saver.
Should this be tried in US? You bet. Will it work? We won't know till we try.
10/12/2009
aspirin connection to flu deaths of 1918 flu pandemic
Recent article in NYT says that 1918 flu pandemic was made worse by indiscriminate use of aspirin. Essentially people were being administered doses of aspirin which were too large. This lead to complications such as Reye's Syndrome (changes in kidneys and liver, brain swelling), as well as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, lethargy, tinnitus (ringing in ears). Person weakened by flu, was essentially being poisoned by aspirin overdoses, leading to death.
Old adage holds here: Too much of a good thing is not necessarily good.
Old adage holds here: Too much of a good thing is not necessarily good.
Commentary
Russia apparently cancelled a sale of TOR missle systems to Iran. This missle system would help Iran defend itself from any aerial attacks against its soil. Does that mean that attack on Iran by Israel is one day, and one barrier, closer to becoming reality?
10/11/2009
Finally done
After years of work, I managed to accomplish what I once thought was impossible. I finished medical studies at Jagiellonian University in Poland. Future doesn't look bright though. With the war right around the corner the rosy future I once thought was within reach, doesn't look so rosy.
It seems that all the biblical stories of the end of the world are coming to pass.
1. We have a disease (swine flu) which the world has never seen.
2. There is a threat of economic meltdown all around the globe. Leading us into the abyss of hyperinflation, and depression.
3. As if that wasn't bad enough there is a continuing threat of war with Iran. Bush Jr. once said that this war will turn into a world war 3. All for oil.
4. We are continously bombarded with the news of catastrophic climate change. Some say global warming, others global cooling is coming. It seems that what people are not considering is the larger point in the debate, and that is great climactic shift which will take us out of our comfort zones for generations to come.
5. The ever present peak oil/peak energy where the seemingly endless supply of oil used to power our society could no longer be taken for granted.
I do wonder how it is possible that such global changes, outlined in above points, could appear on the radar screen of humanity in such a short amount of time. If I look back on the 90's, and reminisce on the times back then, it seems that no one worried about disease sweeping the globe, global war, economic depression, peak oil, or a climate change.
As soon as the world entered year 2000 all that started to change. Suddenly we started to talk about terrorism, iraq/afghanistan, resource wars, threat of the( former) bird flu, economy slowing down due to money being channeled into sands of Iraq.
How is it possible that in such a short amount of time, so much could change?
I do wonder if there is someone or something much greater at work. That something or someone which is pulling the strings to bring about war/pestilence/hunger?/strife.
Could it be that someone or something knows that the earth as a planet is dying from resource depletion and climate change, and is trying to depopulate the earth a little at a time? This would include all that is available at 'its' disposal which would obviously include diseases of all kinds, wars, economic collapse.
I wonder.
See you soon.
It seems that all the biblical stories of the end of the world are coming to pass.
1. We have a disease (swine flu) which the world has never seen.
2. There is a threat of economic meltdown all around the globe. Leading us into the abyss of hyperinflation, and depression.
3. As if that wasn't bad enough there is a continuing threat of war with Iran. Bush Jr. once said that this war will turn into a world war 3. All for oil.
4. We are continously bombarded with the news of catastrophic climate change. Some say global warming, others global cooling is coming. It seems that what people are not considering is the larger point in the debate, and that is great climactic shift which will take us out of our comfort zones for generations to come.
5. The ever present peak oil/peak energy where the seemingly endless supply of oil used to power our society could no longer be taken for granted.
I do wonder how it is possible that such global changes, outlined in above points, could appear on the radar screen of humanity in such a short amount of time. If I look back on the 90's, and reminisce on the times back then, it seems that no one worried about disease sweeping the globe, global war, economic depression, peak oil, or a climate change.
As soon as the world entered year 2000 all that started to change. Suddenly we started to talk about terrorism, iraq/afghanistan, resource wars, threat of the( former) bird flu, economy slowing down due to money being channeled into sands of Iraq.
How is it possible that in such a short amount of time, so much could change?
I do wonder if there is someone or something much greater at work. That something or someone which is pulling the strings to bring about war/pestilence/hunger?/strife.
Could it be that someone or something knows that the earth as a planet is dying from resource depletion and climate change, and is trying to depopulate the earth a little at a time? This would include all that is available at 'its' disposal which would obviously include diseases of all kinds, wars, economic collapse.
I wonder.
See you soon.
8/30/2009
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