more bird flu linkage

[thisficklemob]

First off, although it's not confirmed, the Bangkok Post is reporting that there are 162 Suspected Human Cases of Bird Flu in Kurdistan. It's worth stating that this is just what the Bangkok Post is reporting that al-Hayat is reporting, and a patient being admitted as a suspected case is a long way from being a confirmed case. However, with the

Comments

[tbschemer]

The article doesn't mention what the "delivery problems" actually are, and why they'd only affect minorities. Seems poorly researched with a forced conclusion that caters to an emotional response.
The only other reason they give that minorities will suffer more from the outbreak is their distrust for the government. What is the government supposed to do? Make them get the vaccine by putting them at gunpoint?
Also, regarding the Katrina event, the Mayor of New Orleans actually had buses available for evacuating poorer citizens, but neglected using them as he fled the city before the storm. This is the same guy who said that "God" wants New Orleans to be "a chocolate city." So, he's racist too. Imagine if some Christian radical were to say "God wants this city to be white" on tv. So if you're looking for a scapegoat for a natural disaster, I'd say pin it on the racist. He deserves to be fired.

[thisficklemob]

Seems poorly researched with a forced conclusion that caters to an emotional response.

It's a press release, not a research paper. They're pointing out what they see as a gap in official planning. Asking, "Hey, if poor people don't have equal access to care under normal circumstances, how are you planning to get them care in a crisis like a flu pandemic?" is a valid question. They don't need to back up their claim that poor people have a harder time accessing care, because that's both well-documented and obvious. As for distrust of the government, things like community outreach and early, frank communication about risks could help. As for "the vaccine", since one probably wouldn't be available to the general public for months after the start of a pandemic anyway, red herring suggestions like making people get it at gunpoint are even more absurd.

So if you're looking for a scapegoat for a natural disaster, I'd say pin it on the racist.I wasn't, actually, but if I were, I'd start with the asshole who took a couple days more of

[tbschemer]

Yes, poor people would have a harder time getting access to care in a pandemic (i.e. lack of car), but it wouldn't be entirely too difficult. Last I heard, flu shots were being distributed at supermarkets. Poor people need to eat, so it would seem that they have access to supermarkets, be it by bus or walking. Hence, poor people would have access to flu shots in the event of a pandemic