Ebola: the current situation, measures being taken, and reasons for Spain to be optimistic

[Myrtle Hogan-Lance]

Man, it's great to see @Pelinor in full grumpy old git mode.  Rock on Pelinor! 

I've kept a tab open all day so I could post this Telegraph (cookie alert) article about the pathetic quarantine procedures undertaken in Madrid.  It's a wonder there are not more people now being held in isolation.

The pictures will really piss Pelinor  anybody with a brain off. 

[Janet]

I've been SO hoping that those pictures are a spoof, but as the day's gone on, it's looking increasingly likely that they're for real ... 

[Janet]

The US has its first case. A man travelled from Liberia and presented with feverish symptoms ... and was sent home with antibiotics. He's now in isolation but that dismissal when he first went to hospital means that in the meantime he's mixed with an unknown number of people ...

There's been much talk of how he lied to get into the States, and how criminal charges could be filed against him ... it's all too late now, Thomas Eric Duncan died today.

And in Madrid, despite the protester and police presence, Excalibur has been removed from the apartment in a UCM van; UCM is the Universidad Complutense de Madrid where the vet facility is. Despite the protestor and police presence, Excalibur has been removed from the apartment in a UCM van; UCM is the Universidad Complutense de Madrid where the vet facility is. The health department, Sanidad, has issued a statement saying that the resolution which indicated the dog's euthanasia has been complied with". It really does seem that Excalibur has been put to sleep.

[Guanche]

Man, it's great to see @Pelinor in full grumpy old git mode.  Rock on Pelinor! 

I've kept a tab open all day so I could post this Telegraph (cookie alert) article about the pathetic quarantine procedures undertaken in Madrid.  It's a wonder there are not more people now being held in isolation.

The pictures will really piss Pelinor  anybody with a brain off. 

Myrtle thank you. I have only three words, to be read very slowly and with feeling...

WHAT     THE     FUCK.  

[Nova]

Can we not just put the nurse to sleep as well if it was good enough for her dog?  It would stop the infection spreading better than bits of tape, unless the virus recognises red and white stripes as no-entry and obeys.  I have never understood how one life can be more important than another.  Why fight to save the nurse whilst putting others at risk yet "euthanase" her dog who wasn't even confirmed as infected???  A life is a life.  Either save them both or kill them both for the greater good.

[Janet]

I've been SO hoping that those pictures are a spoof, but as the day's gone on, it's looking increasingly likely that they're for real ... 

Unfortunately, they are now confirmed as genuine.

WTF?????????

I have never understood how one life can be more important than another.

But as to why the human versus the dog, humans are speciesist. It's understandable ... if we're evaluating one life against another, I value mine, amd yours, more than a cockroach  ... the question is where one draws the line ...

[Guanche]

Again not going to be mister popular here. But when did a dogs life become equal to a human? While I feel for the animal it has to be the right thing to do. The question here is what's more important, the nurse, all the people she may have infected, the moronic hospital management and medical staff who thought that the Ebola virus would respect plastic barrier tape. The Spanish government that thought it was a good idea to bring the sky pilot back from Africa.

Or putting emotion out of the equation and stopping the infection from getting any worse?

Just to add, looking at the photos in the press I think the hospital management would be as well to pop down the the local fire station and borrow a couple of hazmat suits. Failing that the nearest milatry depot and get some NBC Suits because they seem to be better that the stuff the medical staff seem to be wearing!!!

[Myrtle Hogan-Lance]

I have to say I am confused about the dog.  There is no - none/zip/nada/niks nie-  evidence that dogs can harbour or acquire or pass on ebola.  Why put the little guy down? 

Anyway RIP poor Excalibur.  Imagine if the poor nurse recovers and finds out they killed her poor dog.  Poor lady.

[El Profesor]

Arturo Pérez-Reverte is a sharp tongued and controversial journalist and author . . . . with lashings of irony

He hits the headlines in Spain with an ease that  Russell Brand can only aspire to in England. And this tweet hit them all.

Arturo Pérez-Reverte        ✔ @perezreverte
Seguir

Propongo poner el perro en observación y sacrificar a la ministra. No hay color.
19:34 - 7 oct 2014

"I suggest the dog is put under obsevation and the health minister is put down. It's a no-brainer."

This followed several tweets along the lines of how Ana Mato is actually a lot more dangerous than that dog would ever be. Which is probably true.

[Janet]

Have loved him for decades, since a colleague gave me The Dumas Club to read ...