You know, Bruce, it's really impressive how your own comment section now reflects the thesis of your article. I hope you're doing some extra, behind-the-scenes data analysis when it comes to attributing these pseudo-anonymous messages; it'd make a good case study.
@Erdem Memisyazici
That's a racist ass virus if you ask me.
Then let's hope people aren't asking you. Like the other systemic bias that gets reflected in machine learning algorithms, you're just seeing reality in action when it comes to STDs like HIV/AIDS. It should come as no surprise that it disproportionately affects the less wealthy, less educated, marginalized segments of the population. It's long been the case that homosexuality has been a "on the downlow" activity for black males, and I would assume that the heavily religious leanings of latinos presents a similar climate of taboo. Societal pressures like that are a breeding ground for a lot of ills.
Drug users who share needles are also at high risk. And sex workers. Why, it's almost as if it follows the same transmission paths as other similar blood- and bodily fluid-based diseases! Does discussing that fuller picture of reality not fit with your race-baiting agenda?
@Givon Zirkind
AIDS, HIV, these appear to be designer diseases.
No, it does not. Your overall logical flaw seems to be that you have no historical grasp on how common and deadly diseases were before modern science developed treatments/cures for many of them. Nobody really needs to work to create the source of the next pandemic; nature continues to evolve them quite well on its own (although overuse of antibiotics is certainly a helpful little boost we're contributing).
However, the CIA used a vaccination program to get DNA samples to id Osama Bin Laden.
Wow, I'm not sure what wacko conspiracy site you got fed that "fact" by, but if you swallowed then it shows you don't have much understanding of how DNA could reasonably be used forensically. Nor do I see how it would even matter when it comes to preventing a pandemic. "We're going to vaccinate you so that you don't die, but in the balance we're going to check to be sure you're not a wanted terrorist. Is that OK with you?"
Then, there is the appearance of transgenic disease
There is not. Again, history shows that jumping species is a common way for a disease to evolve a new attack vector. It's only "increasing" in the sense that we can better understand it and classify it when we see it in action. Previously flus were all just flus; now we identify them by strains and can determine their pre-mutation source (e.g. birds). You're like the people who cry about all the "new" autism cases, never once stopping to think that they are all purely artifacts of new diagnostic standards and practices.
Doctors' reporting of diseases with vaccinations are skewed by a medieval belief that if someone was vaccinated but has all the symptoms of the disease, it can't be that disease!
Stop listening to "doctors" that are, ironically, quacks pushing medieval belief systems. A real doctor can tell you that vaccines are neither 100% effective nor 100% safe. We still use them, though, because we know (from the historical data you apparently hate so much) that the outcomes are statistically better with vaccines than without.
The recent outbreak of measles in unvaccinated New Yorkers was 256 cases out of 11 Million. That's 0.002%!!! 2/1000ths of 1%. That's an epidemic??? Hardly.
How many more must get sick and die before you are willing to call it an epidemic? Do you think any of the infected would agree with your opinion that their health is not significant enough to act? Myself, I'm willing to call it at Patient Zero if the disease is bad enough. That's exactly why we work to eradicate the worst ones entirely. People like you looking to backslide make the world worse for everyone.
As with all contagious diseases, the best way to deal with it are: health, hygiene and sanitation. Quarantine may also be necessary.
There is no "best" way to deal with "all" of them. Each disease will have its own unique properties that make it easier to approach in a particular way. I mean, if we can't even keep known diseases like measles in check with your outdated sophistry, excuse me for not listening to you when when it comes to facing the next pandemic. I'm going to use every tool in my toolbox. Darwin beckons those who will not do the same.
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