If the "Captain Trips" of influenza materialized would you quit your job?

[Roland]

"Captain Trips" was the slang term from Stephen King's The Stand, for a variety of flu which escaped a government lab and ultimately killed most of the worlds population. Realistically, we will probably never see something like Captain Trips (although some scientists believe that the plague may have been a virus rather than the bacteria which is normally associated with bubonic plague) even the 1918, influenza pandemic didn't kill more than about five or ten percent of the world's population. However, lets say something like the "bird flu" which is currently causing a concern in China became a worldwide concern. Furthermore, let's say that the general public faced a 10% chance of death (from contracting the virus) while health care workers faced a 50%+ chance of getting the disease (again more like the Plague of the Middle Ages than the 1918 influenza which usually killed young adults and adolescents). Would you "do your duty" and stand by your post (knowing that this would also increase the chances of your kids, spouse ect of dying exponentially) or would you find another job? Obviously, we are talking about a situation where no effective vaccine existed. Here is a story which provides some context for this situation.

Last Updated: Saturday, 22 May, 2004, 23:12 GMT 00:12 UK BBC

Black Death 'is lying in wait'

Plague affects around 1,000 people each year

The Black Death, which killed 23m people in the middle ages, could be lying dormant and could strike again, say researchers.

Their claim is based on the theory that the pandemic was triggered not by bubonic plague but by a virus.

The theory is outlined in a new book by Professor Christopher Duncan and Dr Susan Scott of Liverpool University.

"We believe this virus is merely lying in wait, ready to strike again," said Professor Duncan.

The Black Death is thought to have caused the deaths of up to 200m people worldwide over the past 1,500 years.

The body of evidence suggests that it was bubonic plague

Dr Michael Smith

In the 14th century alone, around 23m people are thought to have died after the disease ravaged much of Asia and Europe.

Globally the disease still affects between 1,000 to 3,000 people a year. However, if caught early it can be cured with antibiotics.

Historical records

As part of their research, Professor Duncan and Dr Scott studied original parish records, wills and diaries to create a profile of the killer disease.

They examined eyewitness accounts as well as accounts by several famous figures who escaped infection, including Henry VIII and William Shakespeare.

This research led them to conclude that the deaths were not caused by bubonic plague - a bacterial disease - but by a virus producing similar symptoms.

Professor Duncan said the virus may still exist somewhere in the world.

"Although the last known outbreak of plague occurred over three centuries ago, we believe the virus is merely lying in wait, ready to strike again."

He also suggested that the disease if it does emerge again could turn into a major killer.

"Globalisation and our increasingly mobile population make rapid transmission of infectious disease unavoidable - as demonstrated in the recent outbreaks of Sars.

"These factors, combined with the increased threat of bio-terrorism, may allow for the re-emergence of the virus as an even more ruthless killer."

However, Dr Michael Smith, a leading expert on plague, played down the claims.

"For many years, there have been queries about whether the bubonic plague was responsible for the Black Death," he told BBC News Online.

"However, much of the clinical descriptions certainly fit bubonic plague. A paper, published by French researchers recently, based on DNA tests on the remains of two people who died during this time also found evidence that it was bubonic plague.

"The body of evidence suggests that it was bubonic plague."

[KaroSnowQueen, RN]

Given this scenario, with no known cure and the chance of exposing my family to it, would I quit my job? Hell yes!

[Katnip, RN]

I would to. But keep in mind, you could end up in jail for it if the situation got bad enough. OR they'd keep you quarantined from the rest of the population.

Problem is, if it gets really bad, how do you prevent the spread of Captain Trips? (I remember the book well. It scared the bejeebers out of me.) It only takes one or two as yet undiagnosed people to get on a plane or go into any public area to cause a pandemic these days.

[SmilingBluEyes]

what would be the point? it would spread like wildfire, killing 99.9 % of us anyhow.

Why such doomsday scenarios from you Roland? Are you feeling ok? Your threads are a bit scary lately.

[PennyLane, RN]

10% chance vs. 50% chance? Yes, I'd get out of healthcare pronto.

[klone, MSN, RN]

Roland, are you a Dark Tower fan (I assumed because of the username)? Have you read the last one yet?

[LydiaGreen]

If I have already been exposed to it, would I walk off the job, quit, and return home to my family? No.

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

what would be the point? it would spread like wildfire, killing 99.9 % of us anyhow.

Exactly. And frankly, in a post-apocalyptic world like that portrayed in "The Stand", I personally wouldn't WANT to survive.......too scary!

[klone, MSN, RN]

Exactly. And frankly, in a post-apocalyptic world like that portrayed in "The Stand", I personally wouldn't WANT to survive.......too scary!

I would, as long as I could have Stu. :chuckle

[Roland]

I savor Dark Tower books like a fine wine and have only had a chance to read to the Wolves of Calla thus far ( I consider Stephen King more of a prophet than a writer!). A key to this scenario was that health care workers would face a much higher morbidity/mortality than the general public (I used 50% verses 10%, but you could substitute 15% verses 45% and have the same scenario or 5% verses 30%). Contemplating the unthinkable is one of my favorite passtimes and always has been! Note this is a scenario that approaches the Plague of the Middle Ages where those who cared for the sick and dying almost invariably became sick and died themselves at an even higher rate than the general population. The 1918 influenza did NOT disproportionately sicken health care workers (indeed one of the mysteries of this disease was that it seemed to hit the very strongest, usually those between 14 and 25 or there abouts).

I'm trying to get a feel for the "average dedication" level that nurses feel towards their jobs. At one extreme you have the firemen who ran into the WTC knowing full well that it could mean their doom (as it ultimately did in many cases). On the opposite end of the spectrum you have professional sports players (some of them) who won't show up to training camp if their signing bonus is only three million instead of four.

[virmm1, LPN]

I wish someone would pay me 3m to nurse.

[virmm1, LPN]

I wish someone would pay me 3m to nurse.