An Ebola NIGHTMARE, The Mincher Scenario

[Bite Me ATF]

In article <3pljc6$2ob at lorne.stir.ac.uk>, kjw1 at stirling.ac.uk (Dr Kevin J Woolley) writes...
>>>THE MINCHER SCENARIO
> 
>Get a grip.

i have one, but i congratulate you on your attempt to reduce credibilty with
that opening remark.


> 
>Look, other scenarios:
> 
>Common cold virus mutates to lethality.

the post did not discuss mutation, it disucssed the virus finding a new
reservoir. Why dont you address the cold virus in that light.?

>Rabies virus becomes airborne

my scenario is not about the virus becoming air borne, but if you want to
discus rabies as it relates to my scenario, then lets talk about what happened
when rabies was introduced into new lands, it established its self in
reservoirs , did it not? (pet a raccoon and find out)

>HIV virus follows your scenario

does it need to, it has already established its self in the human reservoir,
and we are still not sure that HIV crosses species. Nor where it originated.
but can humans infect other species with aids, dont know for sure.
but one thing is for sure aids does not seem to be as contagious as Ebola.
I have yet to hear any one suggest that the italian NUNs in Zaire where
engaging in anal sex with their patients.


>All the worlds sheep are affected by cosmic rays and become carnivoures
>etc.

that one i cant argue with, afterall i included my giant asteriod of death
scenario as a light hearted joke.



> 
>I'm not saying anything is impossible (never say never), but it's amazing how stable the
>world is isn't it?
> 

seems however that you have taken a stance that its not likely, but are still
covering your butt.

but the fact is we do not know what the reservoir is, and we do know that it can
be transmitted across species, so can we rule out that the reservoir can be
increased by human to reservoir transmition.  

And the fact that the virus has moved outside of its original eco system ,
means that it definately has a chance to settle into the new one, and possible
become a long term problem. And the fact that people are not being kept in
level four quarantine makes it possible that the virus could establish its self
in a non human reservoir.

thomas


>Kevin
********************************************************

They took out my tonsils when I was little;
But, I still have my paranoids.

Unknown (to me)
--------------------------------------------------------

If we can not trust a freeman with his right to keep and 
bear arms, then how can we trust him with the right to 
vote. Surely the right of a freeman to vote has a much 
greater effect on our collective lives than does any 
individual's firearm. If one argues that the effect of any 
one freeman's vote is minimal, then why allow it in the 
first place?  To be armed is to secure one's right to 
representation.

Thomas Mincher
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