ebola/crapola

[A. M. Lotto]

I don't think too many people who have been reading this group for a long 
time mind reasonable questions.  I have read over and over, however, the 
same questions and misguided nonsense about this Ebola outbreak.  People 
might try actually reading the other posts before going and asking the 
same questions that have been answered several times.  I also feel that 
assertations not based on fact but on misconceptions people have from 
fictionalizations of viral outbreaks have no place in this group.  

In the past and present I have done my best to research my questions on 
my own before bringing them here.  

Maybe you have neither the time nor the money to put in the hours that 
some of us have in virology and microbiology classes, reading and lab 
work but I am certain there are other resources available to you.  As a 
high school student, when I was interested in microbiology I went to the 
library and checked out several books and read them.  That is one example 
of how someone might make themselves more informed.

Secondly, there are some things that are extremely difficult to 
understand without having a solid background in the science.  You can't 
go from not knowing anything to understanding the Ebola virus in a day.

I have noticed that this group is generally used for exchanging 
information concerning research and conventions.  Like it or not, that is 
the level many science newsgroups maintain.  It is difficult to maintain 
a forum for exchanging research information when you have to wade through 
some fifty to a hundred posts a day about Ebola.

Also, those of you who are really bothered by all the ebola postings 
might consider adding the word ebola to your kill files.


Amy Lotto
aurelia at u.washington.edu