Ebola here in Dallas USA

RainMom · Oct 12, 2014

Interesting! Also noted in the above article that even after recovery, virus may remain in semen up to 7 weeks. Wonder how often someone gets infected, thinking "all clear"!

allnurses Guide · Oct 13, 2014

Umm no, the long history of experimentation and flat out negligence at the expense of blacks in this country has everything to do with that sentiment.
Tuskeegee experiment, anyone?

The world and the U.S. has a long history of unethical experimentation, and it wasn't just on blacks. It was basically any vulnerable population that lacked the education and/or means not to know any better or escape.

I do agree though that Al Sharpton usually just shows up where ever there is a camera.

Unethical human experimentation in the United States - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Oct 13, 2014

The world and the U.S. has a long history of unethical experimentation, and it wasn't just on blacks. It was basically any vulnerable population that lacked the education and/or means not to know any better or escape.
I do agree though that Al Sharpton usually just shows up where ever there is a camera.
Unethical human experimentation in the United States - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

True, but the point being, the pt was African American, and because of that history, it should not be discounted that those sentiments are STILL real, especially since health disparities and access to health care in this country affect Blacks and African Americans, even morbidity and mortality are at a higher rate; these issues need to be solved and while this current distrust needs to be rectified somehow, we don't need to scoff at these allegations, rather, if there was issues involved, then either an investigation or full disclosure and education need to happen regardless of what "activist" is involved.

Striker40 · Oct 13, 2014

Some interesting info about Eric Duncan the supposed Ebola victim http://www.jimstonefreelance.com/ebolaeric.jpg

duskyjewel · Oct 13, 2014

Wasn't his name Thomas?

richardgecko · Oct 13, 2014

True, but the point being, the pt was African American, and because of that history, it should not be discounted that those sentiments are STILL real, especially since health disparities and access to health care in this country affect Blacks and African Americans, even morbidity and mortality are at a higher rate; these issues need to be solved and while this current distrust needs to be rectified somehow, we don't need to scoff at these allegations, rather, if there was issues involved, then either an investigation or full disclosure and education need to happen regardless of what "activist" is involved.

Well said.

richardgecko · Oct 13, 2014

The world and the U.S. has a long history of unethical experimentation, and it wasn't just on blacks. It was basically any vulnerable population that lacked the education and/or means not to know any better or escape.
I do agree though that Al Sharpton usually just shows up where ever there is a camera.
Unethical human experimentation in the United States - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

But what does "any vulnerable population" have to do with this? I don't want to believe that providers deprived Mr. Duncan of adequate care because of his skin color, but let's just be honest here...is it a stretch???

We go on and on about cultural competence in nursing but when it involves stepping outside of one's own comfort and attempting to understand why a certain ethnic group may have legitimate skepticism that is rooted in not so distant history, it's suddenly "race-baiting".

allnurses Guide · Oct 13, 2014

True, but the point being, the pt was African American, and because of that history, it should not be discounted that those sentiments are STILL real, especially since health disparities and access to health care in this country affect Blacks and African Americans, even morbidity and mortality are at a higher rate; these issues need to be solved and while this current distrust needs to be rectified somehow, we don't need to scoff at these allegations, rather, if there was issues involved, then either an investigation or full disclosure and education need to happen regardless of what "activist" is involved.

Socioeconomic Disparities in Health in the United States: What the Patterns Tell Us The Less the Education, the Higher the Risk of Dying Early

Health disparities are highest in people of low socioeconomic status, and unfortunately this is still often segregated on racial lines. That is hardly the whole story though, because the highest indicator of adult premature deaths is graduating from high school and then college, which is highly indicative that economic status has more to do with adult premature death rates than race or other indicators.

There is nothing that I have seen that would suggest that just because the man from Liberia was black that he got poor care.

elkpark · Oct 13, 2014

Some interesting info about Eric Duncan the supposed Ebola victim http://www.jimstonefreelance.com/ebolaeric.jpg

"Supposed" Ebola victim??? Is there any question or controversy about that?

allnurses Guide · Oct 13, 2014

But what does "any vulnerable population" have to do with this? I don't want to believe that providers deprived Mr. Duncan of adequate care because of his skin color, but let's just be honest here...is it a stretch???
We go on and on about cultural competence in nursing but when it involves stepping outside of one's own comfort and attempting to understand why a certain ethnic group may have legitimate skepticism that is rooted in not so distant history, it's suddenly "race-baiting".

I was commenting on ethics of medical experimentation throughout history where any vulnerable population was often used as convenient source for experimental subjects.

I think it is a stretch to say just because he was black he got worse treatment than anyone else.

The mantra in all ERs is "treat them and street them". ER physicians are trained to try to rule out the most life threatening diagnosis and then move on to the most likely diagnosis. Statistically there are millions of ER patients seen every year in United States, and if you are going by the most likely diagnosis then how many people/providers before this patient would have thought of Ebola?

This rings more of people wanting to blame someone that actually try to fix the problem. The real issue was probably awareness and poor communication among the ER staff.

Hospital Emergency Room Visits per 1,000 Population | The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Oct 13, 2014

Wasn't his name Thomas?

Yes, that is correct. Thomas was his first name. Thomas Eric Duncan was his full name.

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Oct 13, 2014

I was commenting on ethics of medical experimentation throughout history where any vulnerable population was often used as convenient source for experimental subjects.
I think it is a stretch to say just because he was black he got worse treatment than anyone else.

And I'm bringing up that those fears, based in history and still present institutional situations are STILL very real to African Americans; again, to scoff at those sentiments and diminish those while entertaining mass hysteria can further confirm those issues and further alienate instead of helping to bridge the gap and inform and educate and erode those thoughts and realities that African Americans face.

The mantra in all ERs is "treat them and street them". ER physicians are trained to try to rule out the most life threatening diagnosis and then move on to the most likely diagnosis. Statistically there are millions of ER patients seen every year in United States, and if you are going by the most likely diagnosis then how many people/providers before this patient would have thought of Ebola?

Granted I think we understand the theory of ERs; screening is a huge part of identifying certain diseases, in my experience with working in the ER; yes priority over what is the most urgent is in play.

This rings more of people wanting to blame someone that actually try to fix the problem. The real issue was probably awareness and poor communication among the ER staff.
Hospital Emergency Room Visits per 1,000 Population | The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation

I definitely agree that these issues need to be fixed, for the safety of nurses as well as the public. :yes: