A JUDGE LIFTS QUARANTINE. NURSE HICKOX THUMBS HER NOSE AT MAINERS.
THE KUHNS REPORT
LAS VEGAS
Hello Americas, and how is the world treating you?
Nurse Kaci Hickox, 33, is in the state of Maine, suing so she can run around among the general public. The state of Maine should not buckle under to this nurses threats. I would think that state health officials rules, regulations and mandates would trump a whining woman's total disregard for the safety of people's health and well being. But it looks like wrong-minded, uninformed judge Charles LaVerdiere lifted the quarantine for Hickox. What does that tell you about people in the legal system who may have an ax to grind or has a political agenda? Instead of putting the welfare and health of the people of Maine first this judge let Hickox have her way as she thumbs her nose at the authorities. That's sad. My view - -nurse Hickox should have been taken into custody as soon as she left the residence. She should not be allowed to defy a quarantine. Governor Paul LePage should appeal this judges decision.
I would think if voters vote judges to the bench in Maine they should dump LaVerdiere next election cycle. I believe nurse Hickox complaints should have been tossed out immediately by the judge and any judiciary body. If we have judges in Maine that care less about the health and welfare of its citizens I would suggest that the state of Maine's legislators take action and pass legislation to be certain other judges follow mandates of health officials. The legislators should make it perfectly clear that anyone coming in from West Africa be isolated and quarantined for the 21 day period. No excuses.
The judge said: "The court is fully aware of the misconceptions, misinformation, bad science and bad information being spread from shore to shore in our country in respect to Ebola," He also said the court is fully aware that people are acting our of fear and that this fear is not entirely rational."
Wow! The judge is suddenly a clairvoyant, a swami, maybe he's a latent medical God of infectious diseases who, from the mountain top, makes his pronouncement that he knows people FEAR Ebola. He states people are acting out of fear when they request and require a quarantine. To him I would say - -No! Judge LaVerdiere, people in the health community and government officials are acting in a rational manner by placing restrictions on ANY possible Ebola infected person coming into the USA from West Africa.. These officials are acting in a prudent and reasonable manner when they initiate a quarantine policy. In Hickox's case the health officials and lawmakers were clearly acting to protect Mainers, as a precaution against Ebola. I would suggest that Judge LaVerdiere is the one that is out of touch and does not have the slightest inkling regarding the possible ramifications of the lethal disease.
Keep in mind nurse Hickox came home from West Africa and REFUSED to stay home and abide by a voluntary quarantine. She lied and broke promises she made to state officials - - bluntly speaking, she "lied."
Here's a woman that appears to be ignorant of the fact that there is a possibility, (no matter how slight, she could infect the general population if she goes out among them. Where's her concern for others? This arrogant nurse, above all people, should have concern for the health and safety of others. But apparently she doesn't. However, it looks as though she wants her 15 minutes of fame in the spotlight so people will recognize her. I would think that in a lot of peoples minds she appears to be a totally untrustworthy person. And, then to top it off, one of her antics was daring and inviting the media press people to shake her hand, touch her. What a stupid stunt. I would think until there is actual, definitive proof as to how the deadly Ebola can be totally erased from one's body without any recurrence in future all Mainer's and others around the country should consider using caution when interacting with a person that interacted with an infected Ebola patient.
I said it before and I say it again - -even the health official experts in the government does not really know and have a full understanding of the effects of Ebola on an individual. It is all GUESSTIMATES. To date there is no complete treatment and/or cure for this deadly disease and there are NO FDA-approved vaccines or cures for Ebola, and the experimental drugs to treat the disease are in the very early stages of development . I submit it would be more than appropriate to err on the side of CAUTION. Thus, quarantines should be imposed on any and all persons arriving from West Africa and definitely should be placed in at least a 21 day quarantine. That includes health care workers.
Will the fatal disease rear it's ugly head again in a mutated way down the line? Will it, or can it lay dormant in an infected persons body for years and then reappear in some form or manner that was unknown or unexpected by the health care community? Could that happen? It's possible. The so-called experts doesn't really know.But if and when it does I predict there will be a lot of finger pointing.There will be statements such as: "we had no idea that this would happen." "we had no plans for that to occur." "It wasn't our fault, we had no way to predict it."
Just as an example- look at some of the medications doctors prescribe today for various diseases and ailments. They prescribe the drugs saying the medication will help alleviate and/or cure the disease. Guess what? In many cases, it doesn't. Two, three, four, five -- even ten and twenty years later they find that the medication did not do the trick and in fact did harm to the person and/or a disease has mutated into another deadly strain. There are lawsuits everyday over bad medications and the damage it caused to a person years earlier. The harm is discovered only years later. By then it's too late. Who knows what the result will be of the medications being used on the Ebola infected patients today? Will they really rid the persons body of all and any traces of the Ebola disease? It's an unknown, people. As i stated before: look at Chicken Pox. It lies dormant in a persons body and then often reappears causing Shingles, which can cause blindness, nerve pain for life, and even death. Then there is the reappearance of Tuberculosis which is now resistant to present day medications.Now we are back looking for a cure, again.
I keep shouting from the rooftops: Any person suspected of being exposed to an Ebola patient should be ISOLATED immediately; QUARANTINED immediately, treated at ONE LOCATION, ONE SPECIFIC FACILITY, by a specif team of health care workers. CONTAINMENT is the name of the game as far as I'm concerned and all of the above steps will accomplish that.
But people, containment with certainty will never happen until the ONE LOCATION, ONE FACILITY is enacted. Again, just within the last 48 hours another suspected Ebola patient was admitted to a Portland, Oregon hospital. I believe that patient should have been sent to a location specific for Ebola treatment rather than a hospital in a major city. The possibility of errors occurring at random hospitals across the country is like an accident waiting to happen.
What I also disagree with is president Obama scolding Americans and saying that anyone exposed to Ebola patients should not be isolated and quarantined. He goes on to say that doctors and nurses will not want to go to West Africa to treat and work with Ebola patients if they are going to be isolated and quarantined when they return. What a bunch of gobbly-gook that is. From my experience in the health field I found that doctors and nurses treat patients around the world mainly because they want to do the right thing and adhere to their oath. Being quarantined for a period of 21 days after return from an infected country is just part of the package and they should know that going in. Contrary to Obama's view I would say that the dedicated doctors, nurses and health care workers would not let a 21 day quarantine, observation period stop their commitment to doing their good deeds.
Obama is not looking our for the security of Americans when he refuses to have every person coming into the country from West Africa placed in quarantine for the 21 day incubation time frame. That move would be a prudent, common sense approach and I applaud Governor Christie, officials in Florida and Illinois for putting in place stringent rules for possible Ebola infected individuals. Even the Pentagon is taking the step to isolate and quarantine military personnel who return from West Africa for the 21 day incubation period. And now Canada is banning flights from West Africa in to their country. It seems every reasonable country and person is taking legitimate precautions against Ebola but - -Obama refuses to see the benefits and advantages to stop Ebola in America so he sticks to his stubborn point of view with total disregard for Americans.
Folks, it is my opinion that Obama and his government health officials are just playing politics and wanting to be politically correct. And for him to side with nurse Hickox is a slap in the face for all Americans that expect the government, especially the administration , to protect their health and welfare. Obama says he does protect us and the government says they do. They pass laws to keep people from smoking; what kids can eat in school; what they are not allowed to eat out of vending machines; what type of oils people fry their food in. Mrs. Obama even has the government push rules and regulations to have children and people eat cardboard tasting, yucky food in the name of fitness. This is all in the name of "we know what's good for you." " We'll take care of you Americans from birth to death." That is their battle cry. YET, when one of the most deadly diseases on the planet is brought to America, Obama, and his political correct government officials refuse to take a firm, hard stand on the Ebola crisis because they choose to play the voting, politic card. - And, that's my opinion.Make your own decisions. You decide.
Bradley W. Kuhns, Ph.D., O.M.D.
____________________________
Dr. Kuhns can be reached by email at:
bradleykuhns@gmail.com
Friday, October 31, 2014
Monday, October 27, 2014
GOVERNOR CHRISTIE'S APPROACH TO EBOLA RIGHT ON TARGET
THE KUHNS REPORT.
LAS VEGAS
Hello America, and how is the world treating you?
It looks like Governor Cuomo is back peddling and playing along with Obama and his political correct posse when it i comes to QUARANTINE of suspected Ebola patients. I applaud the Governor of NJ, Chris Christie, for sticking to his guns. I also applaud Illinois and Florida for deciding to quarantine possible infected Ebola persons.
The head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Tom Frieden, falls in line with Obama and tries to rationalize Obama's refusal to quarantine possible infected people. This guy has been falling down on the job since day one of the Ebola crisis yet Obama continues to put credence in his abilities. But in reality, Frieden will do and say anything his puppet master (Obama) wants him to say.
I submit QUARANTINE is a MUST. What is the first thing these government health officials said was necessary --- yep, quarantine , and they did just that with the infected patients.But when it comes to a quarantine on travelers suspected of carrying the lethal disease they use excuse after excuse "not" to quarantine. We have one nurse, Kaci Hickox, who recently returned from an Ebola country who was placed in quarantine and she cried and complained that the quarantine was "inhumane" and that she's being picked on. She even threatened to sue. And guess what, she was released from quarantine. The government health officials should have told this whining, nurse to WOMAN UP! Quit your whining and do the 21 days, lady. I have no doubt that her employer would still pay her for the days she was out . Result: The nanny conditioned White House and health officials cave in and agree that there should be no quarantines regarding people coming in from the Ebola infected countries. Can you imagine?
People, we have no CURE for this deadly virus and until we have a specific, accurate treatment for Ebola it WILL NOT ever be contained. It is no secret that most everything the government talking heads have told the American public so far about the Ebola virus has been proven to be WRONG and/or untrue.
These muddled health officials led by Obama's cadre' continue to tell us that a quarantine on a national scale will not work, but do you notice these same people quickly QUARANTINE each and every person with EBOLA. It's as simple as 2 plus 2 equals four to a fifth grader. Hell, if there is someone who has Ebola that person should be kept away from those people that DO NOT have Ebola. It's not rocket science - -QUARANTINE them for the suspected incubation period of 21 days. But the political word from the White House ignores the quarantine issue because they have an agenda.
Folks, so far the government spent approximately $500,000, just on patient Duncan in that Texas hospital for his Ebola treatment. Apparently it costs about $500,000 per patient and we have been treating patient after patient and I predict it will get worse and the cost will continue to rise as the Ebola patients increase. Duncan and his family didn't pay dime one for the treatment. They got a free pass and I suspect all the other patients that have been treated will have a ZERO medical bill from the government (courtesy of OUR tax money.)
Dr. Frieden and his colleagues that have been advising Obama should be turned out to pasture, in fact, FIRED would be better. They appear to me to be a bunch of Keystone Cops blind to the dangers of a serious situation. All in the name of politics. That's sad.
Governor Christie has it right and those other lawmakers from other states that agree with Governor Christie's position HAS it right - - QUARANTINE the traveler's. Better safe than sorry, right? Once the Genie has been let out of the bottle, it will not be able to be put back in and contained. Governor Christie is on the right track. I sincerely hope he doesn't waffle like Governor Cuomo.
Like I preached before in earlier blogs, I said from the start of this Ebola outbreak: AIR TRAVEL BANS is a must. Do not let anyone infected with the Ebola virus into the United States. Treat them at the source in the country where they contracted the deadly virus. If there is any infected person diagnosed in the United States the protocol should be: ISOLATE immediately, QUARANTINE immediately and treat the infected person at ONE specific LOCATION in ONE SPECIFIC FACILITY with a specific team of health care workers.
And finally, any person coming into the United States from Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea and West Africa countries shoud be QUARANTINED in isolation for the 21 days, away from any and all other people, with the exception of the health care workers observing and working the case. - And, that's my opinion. Make your own decisions. You decide.
Bradley W. Kuhns, Ph., O.M.D.
__________________________
Dr. Kuhns can be reached by email at:
bradleykuhns@gmail.com
THE KUHNS REPORT.
LAS VEGAS
Hello America, and how is the world treating you?
It looks like Governor Cuomo is back peddling and playing along with Obama and his political correct posse when it i comes to QUARANTINE of suspected Ebola patients. I applaud the Governor of NJ, Chris Christie, for sticking to his guns. I also applaud Illinois and Florida for deciding to quarantine possible infected Ebola persons.
The head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Tom Frieden, falls in line with Obama and tries to rationalize Obama's refusal to quarantine possible infected people. This guy has been falling down on the job since day one of the Ebola crisis yet Obama continues to put credence in his abilities. But in reality, Frieden will do and say anything his puppet master (Obama) wants him to say.
I submit QUARANTINE is a MUST. What is the first thing these government health officials said was necessary --- yep, quarantine , and they did just that with the infected patients.But when it comes to a quarantine on travelers suspected of carrying the lethal disease they use excuse after excuse "not" to quarantine. We have one nurse, Kaci Hickox, who recently returned from an Ebola country who was placed in quarantine and she cried and complained that the quarantine was "inhumane" and that she's being picked on. She even threatened to sue. And guess what, she was released from quarantine. The government health officials should have told this whining, nurse to WOMAN UP! Quit your whining and do the 21 days, lady. I have no doubt that her employer would still pay her for the days she was out . Result: The nanny conditioned White House and health officials cave in and agree that there should be no quarantines regarding people coming in from the Ebola infected countries. Can you imagine?
People, we have no CURE for this deadly virus and until we have a specific, accurate treatment for Ebola it WILL NOT ever be contained. It is no secret that most everything the government talking heads have told the American public so far about the Ebola virus has been proven to be WRONG and/or untrue.
These muddled health officials led by Obama's cadre' continue to tell us that a quarantine on a national scale will not work, but do you notice these same people quickly QUARANTINE each and every person with EBOLA. It's as simple as 2 plus 2 equals four to a fifth grader. Hell, if there is someone who has Ebola that person should be kept away from those people that DO NOT have Ebola. It's not rocket science - -QUARANTINE them for the suspected incubation period of 21 days. But the political word from the White House ignores the quarantine issue because they have an agenda.
Folks, so far the government spent approximately $500,000, just on patient Duncan in that Texas hospital for his Ebola treatment. Apparently it costs about $500,000 per patient and we have been treating patient after patient and I predict it will get worse and the cost will continue to rise as the Ebola patients increase. Duncan and his family didn't pay dime one for the treatment. They got a free pass and I suspect all the other patients that have been treated will have a ZERO medical bill from the government (courtesy of OUR tax money.)
Dr. Frieden and his colleagues that have been advising Obama should be turned out to pasture, in fact, FIRED would be better. They appear to me to be a bunch of Keystone Cops blind to the dangers of a serious situation. All in the name of politics. That's sad.
Governor Christie has it right and those other lawmakers from other states that agree with Governor Christie's position HAS it right - - QUARANTINE the traveler's. Better safe than sorry, right? Once the Genie has been let out of the bottle, it will not be able to be put back in and contained. Governor Christie is on the right track. I sincerely hope he doesn't waffle like Governor Cuomo.
Like I preached before in earlier blogs, I said from the start of this Ebola outbreak: AIR TRAVEL BANS is a must. Do not let anyone infected with the Ebola virus into the United States. Treat them at the source in the country where they contracted the deadly virus. If there is any infected person diagnosed in the United States the protocol should be: ISOLATE immediately, QUARANTINE immediately and treat the infected person at ONE specific LOCATION in ONE SPECIFIC FACILITY with a specific team of health care workers.
And finally, any person coming into the United States from Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea and West Africa countries shoud be QUARANTINED in isolation for the 21 days, away from any and all other people, with the exception of the health care workers observing and working the case. - And, that's my opinion. Make your own decisions. You decide.
Bradley W. Kuhns, Ph., O.M.D.
__________________________
Dr. Kuhns can be reached by email at:
bradleykuhns@gmail.com
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
VOTER PHOTO ID SHOULD BE THE LAW OF THE LAND.
THE KUHNS REPORT
LAS VEGAS
Hello America, and how is the world treating you?
The courts allowed Texas voter ID law to go forward. Hooray!
A majority of the Supreme Court on Saturday rejected an emergency request from Obama's Justice Dept. and Civil Rights groups to prohibit the state of Texas from requiring voters to show certain forms of photo ID in order to cast a ballot.
We have all these nanny's and cry babies saying that requiring someone to show a photo ID at the polls before they vote is mean and discriminatory. What a bunch of manure that argument is. The groups that are against photo ID also say that it will affect Latinos and Blacks because the poor people can't afford an ID. WHAT? Are they kidding? I believe that most everybody in the nation has some form of ID with a photo attached.
Many of the people that these groups and whimpy lawmaker's talk about already have ID's. Let's remember everyone generally needs an ID to cash a check; open a bank account; drive a car; collect city, county , state and federal benefits, such as welfare and social security. Even to buy alcohol in a 7-11 or liquor store the person has to show ID. They also need a passport and proper ID to travel into and outside the United States so -- hey! Come on.
The problem is the lawmaker's opposed to photo ID and the special ethnic groups that oppose the Photo ID plan clearly want people to vote that should not be allowed to vote. Many of these lawmaker's and groups have an agenda to allow illegal aliens and minorities to vote, perhaps multiple times.
One of the main reasons they oppose photo ID at the polls is that people can't afford an ID. Boy, are they reaching for straws. People, in many states if a person doesn't drive and have a drivers license the state will issue a state photo ID which basically looks like a drivers license ID. It has a photo, age and other pertinent data to identify that person holding the identification. Plus Texas and other states that ask for voter ID give the prospective voter ample opportunity to present other forms of photo identification . It's not like a person cannot identify themselves.
When my mother stopped driving at the age of 85-years-old, she relinquished her drivers license but she needed a photo ID so the state of California issued her the PHOTO ID for identification purposes. As I recall the cost of the photo ID card at the time was only $2.00 or $3.00 dollars. So my question? If a person claims they currently do not have a photo ID how much trouble is it to pay the state a few dollars to acquire one? If the person is elderly and can't afford the cost of a state ID card (as the people that oppose voter ID) claim. Why can't the children of the elderly person spring for the few bucks to have their parent issued a state ID card?
Folks, the other argument from those that oppose voter photo ID is that: there is not voter fraud occurring at the polls. They say because of that fact a voter photo ID card is unnecessary. How wrong they are. There IS voter ID fraud occurring every election throughout the country. People vote more than once. Others who are illegal aliens and people who do not have citizenship in the U.S. have been caught casting ballots in an election. However, the groups and people that are opposed to showing a photo ID at the polls want to turn a blind eye to the fraud. Many of the groups and people have an agenda. I submit they actually want the illegal aliens, non-citizens and the fraudsters to cast a ballot. Some political parties feel it is to their advantage to have illegal votes cast in order to sway an election one way or the other.
I suggest that the only reason an individual would not want to show a photo ID to authentic their person is because they have something to hide, (i.e.) they're not a legal citizen; they are an illegal alien; they are using a fraudulent name (some other identity); they are afraid to show up at a state office and present proof and identification that they are in fact the person who wants to be issued a voter ID card.
But keep in mind many of these same people that have objections to presenting a proper ID card at a voting booth are the same people that have NO problems presenting identification to collect social security benefits, welfare and food stamps, cash a check, show identification when asked to identify themselves by a law enforcement officer, dealing with the school and educational system, etc.
So what is their big gripe about not wanting to show proper identification in order to cast a vote? They seem to be able to identify themselves for many other reasons -- why not when casting a ballot to vote. I submit the Supreme Court should make it the law of the land that any e person who wants to cast a ballot in an election should have to present a photo ID to verify that person and their vote in in fact, legal. Voting in America is one of the most cherished rights an American citizen has. It should not be mucked up by a political party, a special group and/or a fraudulent person. Finally, who would be afraid to show a photo identification at a voting booth if they are a legal citizen of the United States? It's clear that a state ID card is available to anyone in most states (at a very nominal fee, sometimes free), if they can prove who they are. And, that's my opinion. Make your own decision. You decide.
Bradley W. Kuhnsd, Ph.D., O.M.D.
_____________________________
Dr. Kuhns can be reached by email at:
bradleykuhns@gmail.com
THE KUHNS REPORT
LAS VEGAS
Hello America, and how is the world treating you?
The courts allowed Texas voter ID law to go forward. Hooray!
A majority of the Supreme Court on Saturday rejected an emergency request from Obama's Justice Dept. and Civil Rights groups to prohibit the state of Texas from requiring voters to show certain forms of photo ID in order to cast a ballot.
We have all these nanny's and cry babies saying that requiring someone to show a photo ID at the polls before they vote is mean and discriminatory. What a bunch of manure that argument is. The groups that are against photo ID also say that it will affect Latinos and Blacks because the poor people can't afford an ID. WHAT? Are they kidding? I believe that most everybody in the nation has some form of ID with a photo attached.
Many of the people that these groups and whimpy lawmaker's talk about already have ID's. Let's remember everyone generally needs an ID to cash a check; open a bank account; drive a car; collect city, county , state and federal benefits, such as welfare and social security. Even to buy alcohol in a 7-11 or liquor store the person has to show ID. They also need a passport and proper ID to travel into and outside the United States so -- hey! Come on.
The problem is the lawmaker's opposed to photo ID and the special ethnic groups that oppose the Photo ID plan clearly want people to vote that should not be allowed to vote. Many of these lawmaker's and groups have an agenda to allow illegal aliens and minorities to vote, perhaps multiple times.
One of the main reasons they oppose photo ID at the polls is that people can't afford an ID. Boy, are they reaching for straws. People, in many states if a person doesn't drive and have a drivers license the state will issue a state photo ID which basically looks like a drivers license ID. It has a photo, age and other pertinent data to identify that person holding the identification. Plus Texas and other states that ask for voter ID give the prospective voter ample opportunity to present other forms of photo identification . It's not like a person cannot identify themselves.
When my mother stopped driving at the age of 85-years-old, she relinquished her drivers license but she needed a photo ID so the state of California issued her the PHOTO ID for identification purposes. As I recall the cost of the photo ID card at the time was only $2.00 or $3.00 dollars. So my question? If a person claims they currently do not have a photo ID how much trouble is it to pay the state a few dollars to acquire one? If the person is elderly and can't afford the cost of a state ID card (as the people that oppose voter ID) claim. Why can't the children of the elderly person spring for the few bucks to have their parent issued a state ID card?
Folks, the other argument from those that oppose voter photo ID is that: there is not voter fraud occurring at the polls. They say because of that fact a voter photo ID card is unnecessary. How wrong they are. There IS voter ID fraud occurring every election throughout the country. People vote more than once. Others who are illegal aliens and people who do not have citizenship in the U.S. have been caught casting ballots in an election. However, the groups and people that are opposed to showing a photo ID at the polls want to turn a blind eye to the fraud. Many of the groups and people have an agenda. I submit they actually want the illegal aliens, non-citizens and the fraudsters to cast a ballot. Some political parties feel it is to their advantage to have illegal votes cast in order to sway an election one way or the other.
I suggest that the only reason an individual would not want to show a photo ID to authentic their person is because they have something to hide, (i.e.) they're not a legal citizen; they are an illegal alien; they are using a fraudulent name (some other identity); they are afraid to show up at a state office and present proof and identification that they are in fact the person who wants to be issued a voter ID card.
But keep in mind many of these same people that have objections to presenting a proper ID card at a voting booth are the same people that have NO problems presenting identification to collect social security benefits, welfare and food stamps, cash a check, show identification when asked to identify themselves by a law enforcement officer, dealing with the school and educational system, etc.
So what is their big gripe about not wanting to show proper identification in order to cast a vote? They seem to be able to identify themselves for many other reasons -- why not when casting a ballot to vote. I submit the Supreme Court should make it the law of the land that any e person who wants to cast a ballot in an election should have to present a photo ID to verify that person and their vote in in fact, legal. Voting in America is one of the most cherished rights an American citizen has. It should not be mucked up by a political party, a special group and/or a fraudulent person. Finally, who would be afraid to show a photo identification at a voting booth if they are a legal citizen of the United States? It's clear that a state ID card is available to anyone in most states (at a very nominal fee, sometimes free), if they can prove who they are. And, that's my opinion. Make your own decision. You decide.
Bradley W. Kuhnsd, Ph.D., O.M.D.
_____________________________
Dr. Kuhns can be reached by email at:
bradleykuhns@gmail.com
Monday, October 20, 2014
THE ELDERLY LOSES OUT ON SOCIAL SECURITY COST-OF-LIVING (COLA) AGAIN.
THE KUHNS REPORT
LAS VEGAS
Hello America, and how is the world treating you?
Preliminary figures suggest that the cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA will e less than two (2%) percent com e January 2015. The government says gasoline prices are down from a year ago and so is the cost of clothing. Prices of meat, fish and eggs are up nearly nine(9%) percent.
Folks, those of us who depend on social security are feeling the squeeze and the idiotic small, tiny increase year after year. We people on social security continually lose that increase not only in the short-term, but we lose the compounding over time.
For the middle-class, for people who DO NOT qualify for low-income programs, they have to dip into their savings (if they have any) or they are borrowing against their homes to get by.
Congress enacted automatic increases for Social Security beneficiaries back in 1975, when inflation was high and there was a lot of pressure to raise benefits. For the first 35 years, the COLA was less than two(2%) percent ONLY three times. In fact, if the COLA is less than two(2%) percent next year, (2015), it would be the FIFTH time in six years,
Folks, the elderly seniors are being dinged over and over again. They may get a small, pittance of and increase but generally the cost of their Medicare share goes up and in most cases the person doesn't see any increase to spend. It is eaten up in the government's automatic raise for health care. So the small, tiny increase which will probably be (1.7%) is "zeroed" out, leaving the person with no increase at all.
I want to remind all you elderly people out there on social security that Congress, Federal employees, and public sector workers have seen annual cost-of-living increases each year ranging from THREE (3%) percent, FOUR, FIVE and SIX percent. Some have even received up to a TEN (10%) percent cost-of-living increase. So, tell me that's fair? It isn't. The (lawmakers, federal employees, and public employees) have clearly look out for their own well- being and retirement but in essence tell the elderly senior citizen ( let them eat cake) while they gorge at the government pigs trough.
I would suggest the elderly people and all of those dependent on social security benefits take to the streets demanding at least a THREE (3%) percent guarantee annual cost-of-living increase. It can be done by Congress if they want to do . They just have to rewrite parts of a law. If it's good enough for the Congress, federal employees and public employees to receive 3,4,5,6 and even ten percent cost-of living increases each year, it should be good enough for the elderly seniors depending on the benefit.
Finally, I would submit that EVERY person in America, including (Congress people, federal employees, public sector employees) have to be enrolled in the social security program. Their employers and themselves should have pay into the social security system just like all of us PRIVATE sector people holding down jobs. Their retirement expectations should be no different than what we in the private sector expect to receive when we retire.
As it stands now the social security COLA's are chained into the Consumer Price Index (CPI) . Many Democrats and advocates of older Americans have put a thumbs down on the CPI indexing for a Social Security COLA. They want a more generous COLA, that they say would reflect price increases faced by older American who clearly spend more of their income on health care. I totally agree with those Democrats and advocates of the elderly who want to see the social security COLA increased. That said, Congress should get of it's duff and find a way to calculate the COLA for social security increases that deal with reality. We need Congress men and women to stop looking out for themselves and think about the older Americans in this country and do what is right-- increase the annual COLA's other than depending on the CPI calculation. I would suggest that congress make sure older Americans receiving social security benefit COLA's see at least a THREE (3%) increase each and every year, at a minimum. That is fair.
You can bet that if all of the Congress people, federal employees and public employees were paying into the social security system like the rest of us common folk the fund would be more than stable and secure. Further, you can bet that if those lawmakers, federal employees and public employees had to depend on the social security benefits on retirement, (like the rest of us), not on the public dole, the social security fund would never be in trouble because those government people would have some skin in the game and wouldn't let it go for broke - -no matter what. - And, that's my opinion. Make your own decisions. You decide.
Bradley W. Kuhns, Ph.D., O.M.D.
____________________________
Dr. Kuhns can be reached by email at:
bradleykuhns@gmail.com
THE KUHNS REPORT
LAS VEGAS
Hello America, and how is the world treating you?
Preliminary figures suggest that the cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA will e less than two (2%) percent com e January 2015. The government says gasoline prices are down from a year ago and so is the cost of clothing. Prices of meat, fish and eggs are up nearly nine(9%) percent.
Folks, those of us who depend on social security are feeling the squeeze and the idiotic small, tiny increase year after year. We people on social security continually lose that increase not only in the short-term, but we lose the compounding over time.
For the middle-class, for people who DO NOT qualify for low-income programs, they have to dip into their savings (if they have any) or they are borrowing against their homes to get by.
Congress enacted automatic increases for Social Security beneficiaries back in 1975, when inflation was high and there was a lot of pressure to raise benefits. For the first 35 years, the COLA was less than two(2%) percent ONLY three times. In fact, if the COLA is less than two(2%) percent next year, (2015), it would be the FIFTH time in six years,
Folks, the elderly seniors are being dinged over and over again. They may get a small, pittance of and increase but generally the cost of their Medicare share goes up and in most cases the person doesn't see any increase to spend. It is eaten up in the government's automatic raise for health care. So the small, tiny increase which will probably be (1.7%) is "zeroed" out, leaving the person with no increase at all.
I want to remind all you elderly people out there on social security that Congress, Federal employees, and public sector workers have seen annual cost-of-living increases each year ranging from THREE (3%) percent, FOUR, FIVE and SIX percent. Some have even received up to a TEN (10%) percent cost-of-living increase. So, tell me that's fair? It isn't. The (lawmakers, federal employees, and public employees) have clearly look out for their own well- being and retirement but in essence tell the elderly senior citizen ( let them eat cake) while they gorge at the government pigs trough.
I would suggest the elderly people and all of those dependent on social security benefits take to the streets demanding at least a THREE (3%) percent guarantee annual cost-of-living increase. It can be done by Congress if they want to do . They just have to rewrite parts of a law. If it's good enough for the Congress, federal employees and public employees to receive 3,4,5,6 and even ten percent cost-of living increases each year, it should be good enough for the elderly seniors depending on the benefit.
Finally, I would submit that EVERY person in America, including (Congress people, federal employees, public sector employees) have to be enrolled in the social security program. Their employers and themselves should have pay into the social security system just like all of us PRIVATE sector people holding down jobs. Their retirement expectations should be no different than what we in the private sector expect to receive when we retire.
As it stands now the social security COLA's are chained into the Consumer Price Index (CPI) . Many Democrats and advocates of older Americans have put a thumbs down on the CPI indexing for a Social Security COLA. They want a more generous COLA, that they say would reflect price increases faced by older American who clearly spend more of their income on health care. I totally agree with those Democrats and advocates of the elderly who want to see the social security COLA increased. That said, Congress should get of it's duff and find a way to calculate the COLA for social security increases that deal with reality. We need Congress men and women to stop looking out for themselves and think about the older Americans in this country and do what is right-- increase the annual COLA's other than depending on the CPI calculation. I would suggest that congress make sure older Americans receiving social security benefit COLA's see at least a THREE (3%) increase each and every year, at a minimum. That is fair.
You can bet that if all of the Congress people, federal employees and public employees were paying into the social security system like the rest of us common folk the fund would be more than stable and secure. Further, you can bet that if those lawmakers, federal employees and public employees had to depend on the social security benefits on retirement, (like the rest of us), not on the public dole, the social security fund would never be in trouble because those government people would have some skin in the game and wouldn't let it go for broke - -no matter what. - And, that's my opinion. Make your own decisions. You decide.
Bradley W. Kuhns, Ph.D., O.M.D.
____________________________
Dr. Kuhns can be reached by email at:
bradleykuhns@gmail.com
Saturday, October 18, 2014
TRAVEL BANS, ISOLATION & QUARANTINE IS THE ONLY WAY TO STOP EBOLA.
THE KUHNS REPORT
LAS VEGAS
Hello America, and how is the world treating you?
President Obama selected a Czar to take charge of the Ebola situation. Wow! A czar. Didn't we go through this czar routine over and over again, especially with the DRUG CZAR's. Where did that get America? We lost the drug war decades ago. The czars didn't do a bit of good. Did they? Now an "Ebola czar" named Ron Klain, is Obama's point man. But folk, this guy has no medical or public health experience and background. He is nothing but a political appointee representing the White House.Klain was Obama's first choice for the position when I would think if Obama was that concerned about the health and welfare of the citizens of the United States he would have selected a person a least with infectious disease experience.
I suspect that this political friend of the White House is nothing more than Obama's way of dodging the bullet of being accountable for the Ebola crisis. This is just part of a dog and pony show by the White House.
Obama talks a good game but lacks the ability to take positive, responsible action in a crisis. He listens to a close group around him and in all likelihood goes with a majority consensus of the group meeting. The president came out and and said: " I have no philosophical objection" to imposing a travel ban on West Africa but after talking wit his health officials and security advisers he came up with the excuse that it would be less effective that the measures already in place -- and would be counterproductive. Are you kidding? There are other countries around the world implementing travel and visa bans on those from the West Africa. Again, the president is behind the curve and out of sync with other nations which will, in my opinion be a costly mistake.
Federal officials that are currently advising the president, said during a recent meeting that they place a special emphasis on the importance of stopping the virus in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea to "protect" Americans and the rest of the world from its spread. So Obama goes on TV and radio and says "we have to stop the Ebola at its source."
I agree . The fact that we have to stop the Ebola at it's source is necessary BUT that doesn't mean allowing infected people from these countries to travel will-nilly on airplanes and cruise ships to enter the United States. STOP it at the source, in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea. That means ISOLATING the virus to those countries and dealing with it there. Until we have a resolution and solve the Ebola problem, we should NOT allow any traveler's from those infected countries into the United States.
People, it appears the president and his federal health officials talk out of both sides of their mouth. The Federal policy and protocol is FIRST- ISOLATE the infected patient. However, they refuse to isolate the patients from our borders. I suggest isolation is no different than isolating ONE patient here in the USA in a hospital versus isolating any and all traveler's from the countries spawning the disease. I suggest health officials and the president do as they say - -ISOLATE the disease at it's source , keeping it contained in those West Africa countries, treating it there. NOT HERE in the USA.
White House spokesman Josh Earnest said the United States was already taking the necessary steps to protect the public. He also said: " the chances for a widespread outbreak in the United States remain "exceedingly low" despite the shortcomings in the governments initial response." That should give Americans confidence? The government officials has been screwing up continually and they screwed up right out of the gate by allowing the first patient to be brought back to the United States.
I say that if a disease is to be treated at the source like Obama and his misfits claim, then they should not allow even one more person into the United States that is infected with Ebola. The borders of the United States is every Americans house and should be protected from someone walking into our house with a deadly disease. ISOLATE the infected people to their own house, and treat them there, their own country. That's their house. Further, I suggest that if the president and his posse of talking heads want to treat the Ebola virus "at the source" then send our expertise and expert doctors in to those countries, the infected peoples house and treat them right there, on the spot, containing the disease "at the source."
Already we had infected patient Duncan, then infected nurse, Pham, then infected nurse, 29-year-old Amber Joy Vinson and don't forget the other doctors the administration allowed back into the U.S. before infected patient Duncan passed the disease on in America.
We are told that the second nurse (who was allowed to monitor herself) contracted a fever and went to the hospital. She was "isolated" within 90 minutes. Folks, that's an hour and a half and we are to feel confident that the health workers are doing a good job taking that long to isolate someone with the fatal Ebola virus. It shouldn't have taken that long to get anyone in an isolation unit. Talk about falling down on the job, Christ, they sure did. A lot of people could have been exposed and infected in 90 minutes.
It's very nice that these federal health officials go on television and show some workers wearing gowns, wearing rubber gloves and covering their sleeves and then taping the gloves but hey!!!! Does that make you feel confident? I don't. These show- and- tells are for a play on television and is supposed to impress the American public that we are safe and that health care workers are being particularly careful.
With all this show- and- tell and assurances from the White House and federal health officials I would offer that this circus is nothing but (PC) "political correctness." As I predicted in an earlier blog the infected people in the West Africa countries could quickly reach 10,000 or more a-week and as this administration would have it, it's okay. They keep harping, "let these people come to the U.S. but how many infected people do we have to have come into the U.S. before we are "the source?!"
Folks, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that if we keep allowing infected people to travel freely to our country we will soon have an epidemic here too. Common sense, folks. Using visa bans and banning air and cruise ship travel to our country will certainly prevent more infected people invading our shores. So, this stupid argument from Obama and his know-it-all crew that air travel bans won't work is unwarranted.
I also believe that these laser temperature guns and questionnaires is a farce. People will :lie" on the questionnaire (infected patient Duncan did). Those tactics are just another way to placate the American public into believing everyone is safe.
We all need a passport or some type of travel papers to go from country to country. Is the USA to wishy-washy to ask other countries to flag those people that have visited and/or lived in the West Africa countries in question? It would be no big task to have that done. They should be flagged and prohibited from entering the United States. The people from those countries could be held in quarantine for the 21 day symptom appearance time period.
And, finally, as I suggested before - - the "Q" word. Lets quarantine the infected people. We are not dealing with the common cold, we are dealing with a "death" sentence. Like I mentioned in an earlier blog I had occasion to go to the Leper Colony in Hawaii in the early 1950's, I can attest that what we consider isolation, was not isolation at the colony. The infected people lived in great housing quarters, they had most all of the conveniences, even drove cars. Many drove the Henry J. Kaiser automobile, which was popular in the early 50's. The Leper Colony was a living, breathing community. All the residents were Lepers and they did not consider themselves isolated. My point, even isolation can be made to be enjoyable. Now, 60- years later the world has many conveniences that make life much better than it was in the 50's. The age of the computer, iPhones, Internet are just some of the things available. Large screen TV's, spas, movies, restaurants, High Def, super large screens for a a person to Skype a call around the world is available. So, in quarantine an infected Ebola person can have all the toys at their disposal to communicate world-wide, enjoy restaurants and social activities in ONE LOCATION without exposing their fatal disease to the general public.
Again, as I've suggested in prior correspondence -- ONE LOCATION, ONE FACILITY, manned and staffed by an expert team of health care workers to treat infected Ebola patients.. - And , that's my opinion. Make your own decisions. You decide.
Bradley W. Kuhns, Ph.D., O.M.D.
____________________________
Dr. Kuhns can be reached by email at:
bradleykuhns@gmail.com
THE KUHNS REPORT
LAS VEGAS
Hello America, and how is the world treating you?
President Obama selected a Czar to take charge of the Ebola situation. Wow! A czar. Didn't we go through this czar routine over and over again, especially with the DRUG CZAR's. Where did that get America? We lost the drug war decades ago. The czars didn't do a bit of good. Did they? Now an "Ebola czar" named Ron Klain, is Obama's point man. But folk, this guy has no medical or public health experience and background. He is nothing but a political appointee representing the White House.Klain was Obama's first choice for the position when I would think if Obama was that concerned about the health and welfare of the citizens of the United States he would have selected a person a least with infectious disease experience.
I suspect that this political friend of the White House is nothing more than Obama's way of dodging the bullet of being accountable for the Ebola crisis. This is just part of a dog and pony show by the White House.
Obama talks a good game but lacks the ability to take positive, responsible action in a crisis. He listens to a close group around him and in all likelihood goes with a majority consensus of the group meeting. The president came out and and said: " I have no philosophical objection" to imposing a travel ban on West Africa but after talking wit his health officials and security advisers he came up with the excuse that it would be less effective that the measures already in place -- and would be counterproductive. Are you kidding? There are other countries around the world implementing travel and visa bans on those from the West Africa. Again, the president is behind the curve and out of sync with other nations which will, in my opinion be a costly mistake.
Federal officials that are currently advising the president, said during a recent meeting that they place a special emphasis on the importance of stopping the virus in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea to "protect" Americans and the rest of the world from its spread. So Obama goes on TV and radio and says "we have to stop the Ebola at its source."
I agree . The fact that we have to stop the Ebola at it's source is necessary BUT that doesn't mean allowing infected people from these countries to travel will-nilly on airplanes and cruise ships to enter the United States. STOP it at the source, in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea. That means ISOLATING the virus to those countries and dealing with it there. Until we have a resolution and solve the Ebola problem, we should NOT allow any traveler's from those infected countries into the United States.
People, it appears the president and his federal health officials talk out of both sides of their mouth. The Federal policy and protocol is FIRST- ISOLATE the infected patient. However, they refuse to isolate the patients from our borders. I suggest isolation is no different than isolating ONE patient here in the USA in a hospital versus isolating any and all traveler's from the countries spawning the disease. I suggest health officials and the president do as they say - -ISOLATE the disease at it's source , keeping it contained in those West Africa countries, treating it there. NOT HERE in the USA.
White House spokesman Josh Earnest said the United States was already taking the necessary steps to protect the public. He also said: " the chances for a widespread outbreak in the United States remain "exceedingly low" despite the shortcomings in the governments initial response." That should give Americans confidence? The government officials has been screwing up continually and they screwed up right out of the gate by allowing the first patient to be brought back to the United States.
I say that if a disease is to be treated at the source like Obama and his misfits claim, then they should not allow even one more person into the United States that is infected with Ebola. The borders of the United States is every Americans house and should be protected from someone walking into our house with a deadly disease. ISOLATE the infected people to their own house, and treat them there, their own country. That's their house. Further, I suggest that if the president and his posse of talking heads want to treat the Ebola virus "at the source" then send our expertise and expert doctors in to those countries, the infected peoples house and treat them right there, on the spot, containing the disease "at the source."
Already we had infected patient Duncan, then infected nurse, Pham, then infected nurse, 29-year-old Amber Joy Vinson and don't forget the other doctors the administration allowed back into the U.S. before infected patient Duncan passed the disease on in America.
We are told that the second nurse (who was allowed to monitor herself) contracted a fever and went to the hospital. She was "isolated" within 90 minutes. Folks, that's an hour and a half and we are to feel confident that the health workers are doing a good job taking that long to isolate someone with the fatal Ebola virus. It shouldn't have taken that long to get anyone in an isolation unit. Talk about falling down on the job, Christ, they sure did. A lot of people could have been exposed and infected in 90 minutes.
It's very nice that these federal health officials go on television and show some workers wearing gowns, wearing rubber gloves and covering their sleeves and then taping the gloves but hey!!!! Does that make you feel confident? I don't. These show- and- tells are for a play on television and is supposed to impress the American public that we are safe and that health care workers are being particularly careful.
With all this show- and- tell and assurances from the White House and federal health officials I would offer that this circus is nothing but (PC) "political correctness." As I predicted in an earlier blog the infected people in the West Africa countries could quickly reach 10,000 or more a-week and as this administration would have it, it's okay. They keep harping, "let these people come to the U.S. but how many infected people do we have to have come into the U.S. before we are "the source?!"
Folks, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that if we keep allowing infected people to travel freely to our country we will soon have an epidemic here too. Common sense, folks. Using visa bans and banning air and cruise ship travel to our country will certainly prevent more infected people invading our shores. So, this stupid argument from Obama and his know-it-all crew that air travel bans won't work is unwarranted.
I also believe that these laser temperature guns and questionnaires is a farce. People will :lie" on the questionnaire (infected patient Duncan did). Those tactics are just another way to placate the American public into believing everyone is safe.
We all need a passport or some type of travel papers to go from country to country. Is the USA to wishy-washy to ask other countries to flag those people that have visited and/or lived in the West Africa countries in question? It would be no big task to have that done. They should be flagged and prohibited from entering the United States. The people from those countries could be held in quarantine for the 21 day symptom appearance time period.
And, finally, as I suggested before - - the "Q" word. Lets quarantine the infected people. We are not dealing with the common cold, we are dealing with a "death" sentence. Like I mentioned in an earlier blog I had occasion to go to the Leper Colony in Hawaii in the early 1950's, I can attest that what we consider isolation, was not isolation at the colony. The infected people lived in great housing quarters, they had most all of the conveniences, even drove cars. Many drove the Henry J. Kaiser automobile, which was popular in the early 50's. The Leper Colony was a living, breathing community. All the residents were Lepers and they did not consider themselves isolated. My point, even isolation can be made to be enjoyable. Now, 60- years later the world has many conveniences that make life much better than it was in the 50's. The age of the computer, iPhones, Internet are just some of the things available. Large screen TV's, spas, movies, restaurants, High Def, super large screens for a a person to Skype a call around the world is available. So, in quarantine an infected Ebola person can have all the toys at their disposal to communicate world-wide, enjoy restaurants and social activities in ONE LOCATION without exposing their fatal disease to the general public.
Again, as I've suggested in prior correspondence -- ONE LOCATION, ONE FACILITY, manned and staffed by an expert team of health care workers to treat infected Ebola patients.. - And , that's my opinion. Make your own decisions. You decide.
Bradley W. Kuhns, Ph.D., O.M.D.
____________________________
Dr. Kuhns can be reached by email at:
bradleykuhns@gmail.com
Friday, October 17, 2014
ANOTHER IRRESPONSIBLE INFECTED EBOLA PATIENT RUNS AMOK.
THE KUHNS REPORT
LAS VEGAS
Hello America, and how is the world treating you?
The Ebola virus still keeps rolling along here in the USA. As I predicted in earlier blogs there are those people that contract the Ebola disease and fail to report it to health officials UNTIL their symptoms are in the treatment stage. These people only think about themselves. Take infected nurse, Amber Vinson. She thought nothing about taking a flight from Ohio to Texas. This woman put 70 or more fellow passengers at risk. In fact, the CDC is attempting to track down all of the passengers that was on the same flight as Vinson. Vinson was isolated when the plane arrived in Texas but keep in mind some of those passengers were within THREE feet of this infected nurse. She also exposed relatives and friends once she spent time in Ohio. It is reported that the state of Ohio is now trying to monitor 100 people this woman came in contact with.
The CDC health officials flatly stated that Amber Vinson SHOULD not have flown on the plane saying she should have known better. But again, this is just another reason to quarantine and isolate ANY possible infected person for at least 21 days until the supposedly incubation period of the disease has passed. Until Dr. Thomas Frieden and his ilk stop allowing health care workers to voluntarily monitor themselves for the disease this merry-go-round will continue and the Ebola will spread. Health officials HAVE to mandate and make it an order that anyone working in and around the Ebola patient be monitored by a team set up to do just that one task - - monitor health care workers.
Because of this woman's total disregard for other people the relatives of Vinson who work at Kent State were asked to remain off campus. Lets see how that works out, right? They should not be asked - - I believe they should be ordered to stay off campus and quarantined for the 21 days in their own residence completely away from the general public. Hell, even Vinson's apartment had to be decontaminated by teams of workers and all the residents in the building had to be notified. All because of the actions one person, Amber Vinson. If Vinson was around children they may have been exposed, if so, they should not be allowed inside a school for at least 21 days - - and, I have my doubts regarding the 21 day monitor period. But that's another story all in itself.
Frieden, the director of the CDC, who acknowledged "LAPSES" in his and other health officials handling of the Ebola outbreak still is sugar coating the real dangers of Ebola virus. He says: " The risk to other passengers on the Frontier Airlines flight is "very low." To me that is displaying a lack of urgency and seriousness of the disease. And yet, Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins, the county's chief political officer, said authorities were "anticipating" additional Ebola cases. He went on to say: " We are preparing for contingencies for more, and that is a real possibility."
Folks, you can bet there will be more. I've said that all along but as some health officials tell America that there is nothing to worry about, other like Jenkins know there is something to worry about but still continue the "rosy glasses" routine.
Finally, I would suggest that the men and woman that have been infected with the Ebola virus and disregard the welfare and well-being of other Americans by going out among the masses should be held accountable and prosecuted. If exposing others to a deadly disease is not a crime, I don't know what is. And, I'll say it again and keep saying it until some of these dummy health officials and the administration listen up: That is, ONE LOCATION, ONE FACILITY. Isolation, containment and quarantine is the path to go down. Otherwise we will continue to have infected patients like DUNCAN, (who lied), and Amber Vinson , who knew better than to fly on an airplane in her condition but did so anyway. It is people like this that will perpetuate the disease, passing it on and on to others. - And, that's my opinion. Make your own decisions, You decide.
Bradley W. Kuhns, Ph.D., O.M.D.
____________________________
Dr. Kuhns can be reached by email at:
bradleykuhns@gmail.com
Monday, October 13, 2014
EBOLA VIRUS CONTINUES TO INFECT- WE NEED ACTION, NOT WORDS
THE KUHNS REPORT
LAS VEGAS
Hello America. and how is the world treating you?
The Ebola fiasco is still happening and as I stated in earlier blogs some of the people supposedly in charge still don't get it.
I also mentioned previously that there should be "ONLY" one center to accept and treat Ebola patients but because of political correctness the health officials turn a blind eye. For example, I mentioned in an earlier blog that I had occasion in the early 1950's to spend time at the Leper Colony in the Hawaiian Islands. The entire Island was dedicated to housing and treating Leper patients. The medical staff was trained, were constantly on site, and had specific protocols and policy set up to treat the Leprosy and none of the Lepers were in contact with the general population off the Island. I would have to say that the isolation and the treatment given the Leper community was well organized and controlled. The disease was well contained.
As I proposed, specialized treatment units and location are ideal. That should be the watch word.
With the resources the United States has it would be no problem to set up ONE location and ONE facility where all possible Ebola infected people are treated and cared for by a group of trained staff. From day one of the Ebola matter I have always maintained that the federal government and its health authorities should mandate and require any/and all Ebola patients be sent to a highly specialized "containment" center. Money spent for the protection of Americans should come first, rather than giving BILLIONS of dollars to foreign countries who take our money and spit in our face.
It has been reported that "new" data suggests that even "tiny droplets" of a patients body fluids can contain the fatal virus. And, I emphasize the word "new." So, believe me when I say that one careless nurse, doctor and/or health care worker can pick up some secretions and/or body fluids and spread the disease.
Again, I say that allowing each and every hospital in America to accept possible Ebola patients is a losing battle. Why? Because each and every hospital's emergency room is clearly NOT prepared to isolate , contain and take infection control precautions. Hell, at the present time there are hundreds of thousands of people that contract illness and disease while spending time in a hospital. In many cases a patient comes out of the hospital with a disease that is worse that the ailment they went to the hospital for originally. Infection control in hospitals in the United States at the present time is dismal. Many patients become gravely ill, some die. A hospital-acquired infection is called "nosocomial" and the biggest offender causing a nosocomial hospital-acquired infection is "lack of hand washing." It's hard to believe but the truth is the truth. Doctors, nurses, technicians and support staff frequently touch patients before washing their hands, thereby transferring a virus and/or disease on to an unsuspecting patient. And now, these health officials tell Americans that they have everything regarding Ebola under control? Hell ! If they cannot even wash their hands before treating a patient, what makes you think that they will not take short cuts and break policy and protocol with the fatal Ebola?
Case in point: One of the nurses, (26- year-old, Nina Pham) who treated infected patient Duncan at Texas Presbyterian contracted the Ebola virus and then she came in contact with others at the hospital. There were also at least 70 other hospital staffers who were involved in Thomas Eric Duncan's care. I would think these people warrant watching and monitored. Nurse Pham must have violated or ignored protocol in some way if she came down worth the virus. She contracted the virus and according to the talking heads that claim to know everything about Ebola say that policy and/or protocol HAD to be broken in order for Pham to contract Ebola. I believe it is "unacceptable" to have a health care worker contract the disease. You can't have it both ways, people. There is no such thing as being "only half pregnant." It's an "either -or" situation. Pham either broke protocol or she didn't. My view is that if she followed policy and protocol she would NOT have contracted Ebola. The conclusion being: She contracted Ebola so she MUST have broken protocol and/or policy. Lets face it - - If you go to bed at night and there's NO snow on the ground and you wake up the next morning and there IS snow on the ground , one can conclude that indeed, it did snow during the night. But the sad part of this case is Dr. Frieden initially indicated the nurse broke protocol in some way, shape or form BUT after a group of nurses complained about his statement saying he's blaming the nurse--Dr. Frieden., the head of the CDC back-peddled, and softened his remarks and apologized to the world and the nurse. Wow! What's that tell you folks. Here we are dealing with one of the most deadly diseases in the entire world but to be politically correct and to sooth over hard feeling of a specific group it appears Dr. Frieden bends with the wind and is willing to change views in a heartbeat. Does that give one confidence in the governments edicts? I think not.
I see one of the failures in policy/protocol as allowing these health care workers who work with isolated Ebola patients to"self-monitor" themselves. As it stands, it appears health officials have been relying on an "honor" system . They expect health care workers to report any potential exposure and watch themselves for symptoms. I see that clearly as a dangerous move. Any health care worker may be afraid to report any symptoms and/or knowingly fail to report symptoms. I would offer the following: Have any and all health care workers involved in Ebola treatment monitored by a team of experts. The government health officials should not leave these workers the option to monitor themselves.
Folks, small hospitals across the country are not equipped to handle Ebola patients. They never will be. I have no doubt that nurses and health care workers in every position is "frightened, afraid" because of the training they never received or the inadequate training they may have received.
I suggest that the people in charge like, Dr. Tom Frieden, head of the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention and state Health officials throughout the country are a "day late and a dollar short." Now, and only now, they are screaming and yelling that they "will" set up training, policy and protocols. They intend to ramp up training NOW? Where were they when Ebola reared it's ugly head years ago? Ignorance is bliss, isn't it? I say Ebola training protocols should have be set up and in place years ago. I think people have been sleeping at the switch.
Mark my words, these health officials who are now telling Americans there is nothing to worry about will argue against treating any and all Ebola infected patients at ONE location, ONE facility. I will further predict these same health officials will say it's dangerous and high-risk to "transfer" the patient because it has potential to expose more people to the virus. To me, that's a lame argument. The Ebola patient would have to be transported in any event, whether from a residence, business, off the street, etc., by health care workers wearing the protective gear that was used to transport the first doctor who was brought back to the United States for treatment. So transferring the patient directly to one specific Ebola facility at one specific location for isolation, containment and treatment would not be as dangerous as allowing an Ebola patient to "try" to be treated at some small hospital emergency room in some small town or city where the risks of an error would be enormous.
As I write this I understand that Dr. Tom Frieden, head of the CDC again went to the media and said something like: "We have to rethink how we handle Ebola." " Even a single case of Ebola is unacceptable." No kidding!
Here's a few suggestion(s) for the health officials that would rather talk, than act.
1. Look at the type of protective gear being used to handle an Ebola patient.
2. Minimize the number of heath care workers caring for an Ebola patient.
3. Have one specific team work with the Ebola patient.
4. Have members of that team trained with specific policy and protocol to be followed by the numbers, checked off a clip board, not unlike a (flight check for pilots) as they gear up and progress through each phase of treatment and carried out to removing the protective gear.
5. And, most of all, transfer any/and all Ebola infected patients to ONE LOCATION, ONE FACILITY where all data, medical records and treatment can be closely monitored and controlled, preventing possible exposure to the general population outside the facility.
Note: The one facility, one location for isolation and treatment might be: a particular military base that has been closed for years. It could be set up with the most sophisticated equipment and staffed with the trained medical personnel most able to treat and care for Ebola patients. I would think this would put the military base to good use. The patients. would be centralized, contained and would avoid exposure to the general population of Americans. There also would be no opportunity for the Ebola infected people to ignore quarantine rules and regulations. They could be housed on the base as thousands of military men and women have been before the base closure.
A secondary suggestion could be that Ebola patients be transferred to a ship for care and treatment. Keep in mind the United States has a number of medical ships already operating around the world and it would be easy enough to treat Ebola patients on a ship. Remember many of the ships in the United States fleet house 3,000, even 4000 or more individuals and since we already know how to equip a ship for medical treatments, one could be specific for Ebola patients. Again, One location, one facility.
6.Conduct frequent and periodic checks on any/and all health care workers and personnel working in the Ebola facility and around infected Ebola patients.
There clearly is many other suggestions that could and should be put in place to protect all Americans from the deadly Ebola but the ones mentioned herein is a start.
Finally, here's a scary though people. I predict that it will only be a matter of time, in the near future, before an illegal alien crosses our Southern Border carrying this deadly virus. And if I were a betting man I would put money down that the illegal will co-mingle with people in the community and pass the disease on to others before it is detected. By then -- the spread of this killer disease will be much more difficult to trace. That is what is happening right now in West Africa. People in those countries and their relatives are infected and they fail to report it. The result is now over 4000 deaths and climbing, as of this date. I would estimate that within 9 months to a year the death toll in West Africa will reach at least 10,000. per month You can bet that the same will occur here because of our porous borders if Congress does not address the problem.
I predict this scenario will happen because of our weak-headed lawmakers in Washington who are still playing games with securing our borders. Christ, they don't even want to suspend flights into the country or place visa bans on these West Africa countries (which would be a great first step). So wishing and hoping this lame Congress will get some back bone, step up and "secure" our borders to " prevent the spread of Ebola" is just that - -wishful thinking. It's been reported by West Africa officials and officials in the United States that the Ebola epidemic in West Africa is clearly "out of control." What does Congress not understand about "out of control?" You would think our lawmakers in Congress would learn by experience and from the past but they continue to ignore the warning signs and allow the lethal Ebola virus to gain a foothold in America. First, it was ONE patient, that ONE turned into TWO, TWO turned into THREE and so on, --- and it's going to get worse and the numbers are going to multiply if lawmakers continue on this irresponsible path.
I suggested that the first patient should not have been brought back to the USA, I said that he should have been treated in West Africa. Others like Donald Trump said the same thing. But the dumb bunnies in Washington put a rubber stamp on bringing the Ebola patients back to America. Look at the result. The stock market has crashed and burned. In fact it fell by hundreds of points three and four days in a row. Airline stocks fell. People are afraid to fly. And, I predict that when the Ebola numbers continue to rise the lawmakers and these same health officials that have been preaching the word will say they didn't see it coming and something unexpected caused the virus to "get out of control" in America. They will be playing the blame game and pointing fingers. - And, that's my opinion. Make your own decision. You decide.
Bradley W. Kuhns, Ph.D., O.M.D.
____________________________
Dr. Kuhns can be reached by email at:
bradleykuhns@gmail.com
THE KUHNS REPORT
LAS VEGAS
Hello America. and how is the world treating you?
The Ebola fiasco is still happening and as I stated in earlier blogs some of the people supposedly in charge still don't get it.
I also mentioned previously that there should be "ONLY" one center to accept and treat Ebola patients but because of political correctness the health officials turn a blind eye. For example, I mentioned in an earlier blog that I had occasion in the early 1950's to spend time at the Leper Colony in the Hawaiian Islands. The entire Island was dedicated to housing and treating Leper patients. The medical staff was trained, were constantly on site, and had specific protocols and policy set up to treat the Leprosy and none of the Lepers were in contact with the general population off the Island. I would have to say that the isolation and the treatment given the Leper community was well organized and controlled. The disease was well contained.
As I proposed, specialized treatment units and location are ideal. That should be the watch word.
With the resources the United States has it would be no problem to set up ONE location and ONE facility where all possible Ebola infected people are treated and cared for by a group of trained staff. From day one of the Ebola matter I have always maintained that the federal government and its health authorities should mandate and require any/and all Ebola patients be sent to a highly specialized "containment" center. Money spent for the protection of Americans should come first, rather than giving BILLIONS of dollars to foreign countries who take our money and spit in our face.
It has been reported that "new" data suggests that even "tiny droplets" of a patients body fluids can contain the fatal virus. And, I emphasize the word "new." So, believe me when I say that one careless nurse, doctor and/or health care worker can pick up some secretions and/or body fluids and spread the disease.
Again, I say that allowing each and every hospital in America to accept possible Ebola patients is a losing battle. Why? Because each and every hospital's emergency room is clearly NOT prepared to isolate , contain and take infection control precautions. Hell, at the present time there are hundreds of thousands of people that contract illness and disease while spending time in a hospital. In many cases a patient comes out of the hospital with a disease that is worse that the ailment they went to the hospital for originally. Infection control in hospitals in the United States at the present time is dismal. Many patients become gravely ill, some die. A hospital-acquired infection is called "nosocomial" and the biggest offender causing a nosocomial hospital-acquired infection is "lack of hand washing." It's hard to believe but the truth is the truth. Doctors, nurses, technicians and support staff frequently touch patients before washing their hands, thereby transferring a virus and/or disease on to an unsuspecting patient. And now, these health officials tell Americans that they have everything regarding Ebola under control? Hell ! If they cannot even wash their hands before treating a patient, what makes you think that they will not take short cuts and break policy and protocol with the fatal Ebola?
Case in point: One of the nurses, (26- year-old, Nina Pham) who treated infected patient Duncan at Texas Presbyterian contracted the Ebola virus and then she came in contact with others at the hospital. There were also at least 70 other hospital staffers who were involved in Thomas Eric Duncan's care. I would think these people warrant watching and monitored. Nurse Pham must have violated or ignored protocol in some way if she came down worth the virus. She contracted the virus and according to the talking heads that claim to know everything about Ebola say that policy and/or protocol HAD to be broken in order for Pham to contract Ebola. I believe it is "unacceptable" to have a health care worker contract the disease. You can't have it both ways, people. There is no such thing as being "only half pregnant." It's an "either -or" situation. Pham either broke protocol or she didn't. My view is that if she followed policy and protocol she would NOT have contracted Ebola. The conclusion being: She contracted Ebola so she MUST have broken protocol and/or policy. Lets face it - - If you go to bed at night and there's NO snow on the ground and you wake up the next morning and there IS snow on the ground , one can conclude that indeed, it did snow during the night. But the sad part of this case is Dr. Frieden initially indicated the nurse broke protocol in some way, shape or form BUT after a group of nurses complained about his statement saying he's blaming the nurse--Dr. Frieden., the head of the CDC back-peddled, and softened his remarks and apologized to the world and the nurse. Wow! What's that tell you folks. Here we are dealing with one of the most deadly diseases in the entire world but to be politically correct and to sooth over hard feeling of a specific group it appears Dr. Frieden bends with the wind and is willing to change views in a heartbeat. Does that give one confidence in the governments edicts? I think not.
I see one of the failures in policy/protocol as allowing these health care workers who work with isolated Ebola patients to"self-monitor" themselves. As it stands, it appears health officials have been relying on an "honor" system . They expect health care workers to report any potential exposure and watch themselves for symptoms. I see that clearly as a dangerous move. Any health care worker may be afraid to report any symptoms and/or knowingly fail to report symptoms. I would offer the following: Have any and all health care workers involved in Ebola treatment monitored by a team of experts. The government health officials should not leave these workers the option to monitor themselves.
Folks, small hospitals across the country are not equipped to handle Ebola patients. They never will be. I have no doubt that nurses and health care workers in every position is "frightened, afraid" because of the training they never received or the inadequate training they may have received.
I suggest that the people in charge like, Dr. Tom Frieden, head of the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention and state Health officials throughout the country are a "day late and a dollar short." Now, and only now, they are screaming and yelling that they "will" set up training, policy and protocols. They intend to ramp up training NOW? Where were they when Ebola reared it's ugly head years ago? Ignorance is bliss, isn't it? I say Ebola training protocols should have be set up and in place years ago. I think people have been sleeping at the switch.
Mark my words, these health officials who are now telling Americans there is nothing to worry about will argue against treating any and all Ebola infected patients at ONE location, ONE facility. I will further predict these same health officials will say it's dangerous and high-risk to "transfer" the patient because it has potential to expose more people to the virus. To me, that's a lame argument. The Ebola patient would have to be transported in any event, whether from a residence, business, off the street, etc., by health care workers wearing the protective gear that was used to transport the first doctor who was brought back to the United States for treatment. So transferring the patient directly to one specific Ebola facility at one specific location for isolation, containment and treatment would not be as dangerous as allowing an Ebola patient to "try" to be treated at some small hospital emergency room in some small town or city where the risks of an error would be enormous.
As I write this I understand that Dr. Tom Frieden, head of the CDC again went to the media and said something like: "We have to rethink how we handle Ebola." " Even a single case of Ebola is unacceptable." No kidding!
Here's a few suggestion(s) for the health officials that would rather talk, than act.
1. Look at the type of protective gear being used to handle an Ebola patient.
2. Minimize the number of heath care workers caring for an Ebola patient.
3. Have one specific team work with the Ebola patient.
4. Have members of that team trained with specific policy and protocol to be followed by the numbers, checked off a clip board, not unlike a (flight check for pilots) as they gear up and progress through each phase of treatment and carried out to removing the protective gear.
5. And, most of all, transfer any/and all Ebola infected patients to ONE LOCATION, ONE FACILITY where all data, medical records and treatment can be closely monitored and controlled, preventing possible exposure to the general population outside the facility.
Note: The one facility, one location for isolation and treatment might be: a particular military base that has been closed for years. It could be set up with the most sophisticated equipment and staffed with the trained medical personnel most able to treat and care for Ebola patients. I would think this would put the military base to good use. The patients. would be centralized, contained and would avoid exposure to the general population of Americans. There also would be no opportunity for the Ebola infected people to ignore quarantine rules and regulations. They could be housed on the base as thousands of military men and women have been before the base closure.
A secondary suggestion could be that Ebola patients be transferred to a ship for care and treatment. Keep in mind the United States has a number of medical ships already operating around the world and it would be easy enough to treat Ebola patients on a ship. Remember many of the ships in the United States fleet house 3,000, even 4000 or more individuals and since we already know how to equip a ship for medical treatments, one could be specific for Ebola patients. Again, One location, one facility.
6.Conduct frequent and periodic checks on any/and all health care workers and personnel working in the Ebola facility and around infected Ebola patients.
There clearly is many other suggestions that could and should be put in place to protect all Americans from the deadly Ebola but the ones mentioned herein is a start.
Finally, here's a scary though people. I predict that it will only be a matter of time, in the near future, before an illegal alien crosses our Southern Border carrying this deadly virus. And if I were a betting man I would put money down that the illegal will co-mingle with people in the community and pass the disease on to others before it is detected. By then -- the spread of this killer disease will be much more difficult to trace. That is what is happening right now in West Africa. People in those countries and their relatives are infected and they fail to report it. The result is now over 4000 deaths and climbing, as of this date. I would estimate that within 9 months to a year the death toll in West Africa will reach at least 10,000. per month You can bet that the same will occur here because of our porous borders if Congress does not address the problem.
I predict this scenario will happen because of our weak-headed lawmakers in Washington who are still playing games with securing our borders. Christ, they don't even want to suspend flights into the country or place visa bans on these West Africa countries (which would be a great first step). So wishing and hoping this lame Congress will get some back bone, step up and "secure" our borders to " prevent the spread of Ebola" is just that - -wishful thinking. It's been reported by West Africa officials and officials in the United States that the Ebola epidemic in West Africa is clearly "out of control." What does Congress not understand about "out of control?" You would think our lawmakers in Congress would learn by experience and from the past but they continue to ignore the warning signs and allow the lethal Ebola virus to gain a foothold in America. First, it was ONE patient, that ONE turned into TWO, TWO turned into THREE and so on, --- and it's going to get worse and the numbers are going to multiply if lawmakers continue on this irresponsible path.
I suggested that the first patient should not have been brought back to the USA, I said that he should have been treated in West Africa. Others like Donald Trump said the same thing. But the dumb bunnies in Washington put a rubber stamp on bringing the Ebola patients back to America. Look at the result. The stock market has crashed and burned. In fact it fell by hundreds of points three and four days in a row. Airline stocks fell. People are afraid to fly. And, I predict that when the Ebola numbers continue to rise the lawmakers and these same health officials that have been preaching the word will say they didn't see it coming and something unexpected caused the virus to "get out of control" in America. They will be playing the blame game and pointing fingers. - And, that's my opinion. Make your own decision. You decide.
Bradley W. Kuhns, Ph.D., O.M.D.
____________________________
Dr. Kuhns can be reached by email at:
bradleykuhns@gmail.com
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