[Vivtek]

Of course it will -- there is no terrorism any more, after all.

Real answer: this is nothing more than security theater. The effective way to fight disease would be health care, and that's the one measure the United States will never take to fight any disease.

[cheald]

I'm curious why you'd undermine your point with a statement that is demonstrably false. Hyperbole doesn't do you any favors in trying to make a convincing argument. As measured by the CDC, mortality rates in the US have been on a steady downwards march more or less across the board for as long as we've been measuring them.

Making those kinds of statements just makes you seem like an angry, irrational person with an axe to grind.

[worklogin]

>The effective way to fight disease would be health care, and that's the one measure the United States will never take to fight any disease.

What are you trying to say? That the US doesn't do health research? That the US doesn't have the best medical care in the world? That we haven't yet invented the magical cure to Ebola and shipped it to West Africa? Or are you trying to politicize a virus discussion into something about insurance?

[alexhawdon]

I'm loathe to get involved as I know this is a very emotive subject to you friends over the pond, but from my various (largely anecdotal) readings on the subject I fear the view may be correct.

I don't think it's unfair to say that there's a percentage of the population that is scared of incurring healthcare costs and that these people will not seek medical attention as pro-actively. With something like Ebola this is very bad news for their family, friends and community.

[bitJericho]

In what way does the US have the best medical care in the world?

http://www.forbes.com/sites/danmunro/2014/06/16/u-s-healthca...

[warfangle]

*if the patient can afford it / isn't bankrupted by the cost

[refurb]

In this way, among others....

http://www.ncpa.org/pub/ba596

[warfangle]

I wonder if the study includes those who died of cancer but were never diagnosed?

[emodendroket]

But access would seem to be an important dimension to any effort to stop the spread of a pandemic, since pathogens do not discriminate by insured status.

[TallGuyShort]

There is little to no health care that can make a difference to a person already infected with Ebola, AFAIK, IANAD. Quarantine is the best thing you can do to prevent it getting further.

[maxerickson]

Supportive care makes a difference. It isn't a cure, but preventing dehydration at least means the infected person doesn't die of dehydration.

[crpatino]

Exactly! 70% mortality if disease is let to follow its course, 30-40% if supportive care is provided.

I don't know guys. But anything that doubles my survival rate sounds like a big difference to me.

[TallGuyShort]

Back to the original point, though, a 30-40% fatality rate is still not at the point that I would consider health care alone an effective response.

[crpatino]

Why not? Because is not perfect? Such is life. And still, I am sure those people that have received proper care and survived are grateful enough.

Or are you arguing that additional measures are needed both at the individual and at the social/political level to prevent the worst outcomes. There I agree 100%.

[TallGuyShort]

Yes that's exactly what I'm arguing. The commenter to whom I replied initially was arguing against the need for other measures stating that "THE" solution was healthcare.

[dnautics]

you do realize that this is exactly what the OP asserts?