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Pandemics and Infectious Disease Blog

Infectious Diseases: " Infectious diseases are disorders caused by organisms — such as bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites. Many organisms live in and on our bodies. They're normally harmless or even helpful. But under certain conditions, some organisms may cause disease. Some infectious diseases can be passed from person to person." Read More at Mayo Clinic
Pandemics: "An epidemic that spreads globally is a pandemic. The 1918 Spanish influenza, which infected more than one-third of the world’s population and killed approximately 50 million people, is the most famous example. There have been several influenza pandemics since 1918—in 1957 and 1968, as well as H1N1 in 2009." Read More at JAMA Network
Epidemics: "An epidemic is an outbreak that spreads over a larger geographical area. Examples include Zika virus, starting in Brazil in 2014 and spreading to most of Latin America and the Caribbean; the 2014-2016 Ebola outbreak in West Africa, which was large enough to be considered an epidemic; and the US opioid crisis." Read More at JAMA Network

Posted 7/7/2024
Disease
Infectious Diseases
The world recently faced another far reaching pandemic that disrupted the social, medical, political and economic stability of many countries on the planet Earth. History is replete with instances that led to changes that were dramatic, long lasting and challenging to our evolution. Whether it was the Black Death in 1350 or more recent pandemics, such as the Spanish Flu large numbers of individual suffered and died. The diseases spread rapidly due to polarization, ignorance, superstition and even denial.
Empires and nations fell, civilizations collapsed and millions died. Perhaps the worst example occurred when the Europeans brought with them smallpox, measles, whooping cough, cholera, and other diseases which killed large segments of the Native American populations. Read more at the Colorado Encyclopedia
The Corona virus 19 faced our civilization with new challenges in our religious, economic, political, social and health institutions. Today the crisis has waned but we must continue testing, tracking and vaccinating, so as to protect vulnerable individuals. I fear many have listened to conspiracy theories, not been vaccinated,  stopped using preventative measures and we will see another spike, because those who have not had their vaccine shots will get infected and give the virus a base for mutation. This is not a legal issue it is a health issue.  Pandemics should never be a religious, partisan, business or social issue. This problem should have been prevented, faced and dealt with when we first realized its potential. This is not the time for profiting, price gauging, misinformation, lying, partisanship, pontification, squabbling, finger pointing and being just plain stupid! We must listen to our scientists, doctors and experts In places such as the CDC, WHO, and the NIH. Other sources of information can be found at CNET, the World Economic Forum and CNN if you are over 60 along with Huffington Post. Politicians can raise funds (use the money for treatment, containment, vaccine development and stabilizing the economy) not for pet projects, political payback or advancing pet projects. Politicians need to help overcome this situation but they should not be allowed to control the message. History has shown that when we rely on politicians, military leaders, religious leaders and other people with special interest, a disaster soon followed. We as individuals should not panic, shop wisely (do you really need that much toilet paper?) we must demand honesty and listen to the advice of the medical institutions and experts.