States Ebola Quarantines

[spotty_dog]

I think the MSF protocols have worked and are based on good evidence. They should keep doing what they're doing. They're also medical professionals who can self-screen for symptoms.

If the military wants to curb hysteria by keeping the troops on base for an extra few weeks when they come back from affected countries -- fine. More power to 'em (though I do feel it fuels the hysteria a bit.) The military personnel have already signed up for being separated from their families and it sounds to me like it's their families who are pushing the quarantine because they don't want to worry about being exposed when their loved ones come home. The troops can keep doing their jobs while quarantined, and basically it's fairly typical deployed life from what it sounds like. It's quite unlike grabbing nurses and doctors off of a long flight home from an overwhelming stint providing needed care to incredibly sick people, mentally and physically tired human beings who were just hoping for a hot shower and to see the loved ones they haven't seen for months.

Has anyone seen the MSF documentary? Who the hell is going to sign up for this if they're going to be vilified when they come back? http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/living-emergency

[TulipsAndSunscreen]

It is my understanding that the military (so far) is not providing direct medical care. So it's very likely overkill but if they want to do a quarantine that's fine. I agree it's fundamentally different than a nurse.

[spotty_dog]

Apparently the risk of these quarantines affecting the ability of health care workers to do their jobs has already started to become reality. MSF volunteers are worried about how they'll be treated when they return, and infectious disease experts with field experience are being prevented from attending a conference that would otherwise be a prime chance to collaborate against the disease. http://thinkprogress.org/health/2014...s-quarantines/

[bokelley]

Are people who are quarantined, jobs secured through FMLA or the like?

I can't imagine how some small medical practice could survive if the dr had already been out for some time and then was held in quarantine, or how some places would hold jobs for that long.

[Deebs]

Brandi - you hit on a huge problem. The military is basically being quarantined by their employer. Healthcare providers aren't. So much of these decisions are being based on fear and politics.


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[TulipsAndSunscreen]

Right and as a nurse, you're paid based on shifts. So if you can't work your shifts, you don't get paid AND someone has to cover.

[Deebs]

But how would you get the STD? It's not a qualifying event because you aren't sick.


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[spotty_dog]

According to the article linked from within the one I posted, New York is now saying they will "take measures" to ensure that health care workers keep their pay, job, and benefits even if they must be quarantined -- with the state paying the lost wages. It still sounds like a hardship for the employers, and of course, New York is the only state out of the ones requiring quarantine who's taken this step. Plus it isn't a law, just a "policy", so I don't really see how they can require employers to hold jobs open for workers who used all their vacation time or negotiated a paid sabbatical to volunteer in Africa -- and then are made to stay out an extra three weeks.

[PrincessFiona]

You know ... there are a couple of problems here and I feel like it's become so politicized that it's impossible to discuss.
I really think we have to be able to talk about the idea of quarantine. I mean ... it's one of the important ways we're trying to stem the tide in Africa. We're telling them to do it, but here it's a hot button issue. Other countries are much less shy about taking the extra effort to protect each other. Maybe it's a good idea and maybe it isn't ... but let's talk about the pros and con.

We have these health care professionals who are working one day and are measuring temps and then suddenly spike a fever and are being escorted around by people in hazmat suits even though the CDC message is "it's not easy to catch" (and it isn't). I think people were understandably concerned after the 2 nurses became infected ... and it led to discussions which are important to have...and need to be ongoing ... we should be able to talk to each other. Hell, didn't they burn all of the nurse's belongings and they had to start over? So it's not easy to catch, but .... burn everything? The doctor who got ebola? He was bowling one night and being escorted about by people in hazmat suits the next day. The message is "you can't catch it" but the visual cue? People were supposed to believe when he had a slight fever and was bowling/taking taxis it was a-okay ... and then suddenly it was hazmat hell.

Ebola is deadly. Yes, the flu can be deadly too ... but the flu generally knocks off the elderly and the young/immune compromised. Ebola will just kill you. The risk of transmission is low, but as we see in Africa, it can be quite deadly and seriously hard to control. Is it necessary to quarantine? I don't know. I haven't decided yet.

Frankly, if you're a nurse who had a roomate with ebola and who cared for people sick with ebola, stay the hell away from me for 21 days. I'd appreciate it. I get that the risk of transmission is low if you're not symptomatic, etc, but if you happen to spike a fever on your shift while caring for me, I just don't want to take that small risk. I honestly think that health care workers should seriously consider a self-quarantine and I'm not completely opposed to a 21 day quarantine.

Kris