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 Vallarta Living | Veteran Affairs | April 2006 
US Plan for Flu Pandemic Revealed
 David Lord - PVNN
| | Dr. Linda Smith, with the Alaska Native Medical Center, right, talks about the stress a bird flu pandemic would have on local hospitals during an urban preparedness panel discussion at the Alaska pandemic influenza summit in Anchorage, Alaska, Thursday, April 13, 2006. State, local and tribal organizations gathered in Anchorage to discuss preparations for a possible flu pandemic in Alaska which U.S. government scientists say may first appear in Alaska. (AP/Al Grillo) |
US Plan for Flu Pandemic Revealed - and it does not include American's residing outside of the US.
Multi-Agency Proposal Awaits Bush's Approval
Taken in Part from Ceci Connolly - Washington Post
The Treasury Department is poised to sign agreements with other nations to produce currency if US mints cannot operate. The Pentagon, anticipating difficulties acquiring supplies from the Far East, is considering stockpiling millions of latex gloves. And the Department of Veterans Affairs has developed a drive-through medical exam to quickly assess patients who suspect they have been infected.
(DL: I suggest that all US Veterans or their dependents register with me or the US Consul for future emergency contact in the event this comes to pass.)
"Most of the federal government right now is as ill-prepared as any part of society," said Michael Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota. Osterholm said the administration has made progress but is nowhere near prepared for what he compared to a worldwide "12-18-month blizzard."
Many critical decisions remain to be made. Administration scientists are debating how much vaccine would be needed to immunize against a new strain of avian influenza, and they are weighing data that may alter their strategy on who should have priority for antiviral drugs such as Tamiflu and Relenza.
The administration hopes to help contain the first cases overseas by rushing in medical teams and supplies. "If there is a small outbreak in a country, it may behoove us to introduce travel restrictions," Runge said, "to help stamp out that spark."
(DL: The Mexican Government in the past has refused help for natural disasters, such as the Mexico City Earthquake, from the USA.)
"Unfortunately, we believe the forest fire will burn before we are able to contain it overseas, and it will arrive on our shores in multiple locations."
Operating the largest health-care organization in the nation, the VA has directed its 153 hospitals to stock up on other medications, equipment, food and water, said chief public health officer Lawrence Deyton. "But it's a few days' worth, not enough to last months," he added.
Are You registered with the V.A.? 1010ez form at www.vba.va.gov
At many VA hospitals, nurses and doctors would stand in the parking lots armed with thermometers and laptop computers to do drive-through exams. Modeled after its successful drive-through vaccination program last fall, the parking-lot triage is intended to keep the flow of patients moving rapidly, Deyton said.
Homeland Security's Runge has a different concern: "One of the scariest thoughts is, if this country has successfully developed a vaccine within six months of an outbreak or our supply of antivirals is greater, there may be a rush into the United States for those things."
And even if those fears do not materialize, officials have warned that the federal preparations go only so far. Much is left to the states, communities and even individuals.
"Any community that fails to prepare - with the expectation that the federal government can come to the rescue - will be tragically wrong," HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt said in a speech April 10.
We Live in Mexico and Obey the Immigration Law
All the Mexicans that have entered the US without legal process knew that they ran the risk of deportation when they took the chance of illegal entry. I have to chuckle at all the fervor over their "lost rights" as non-US citizens.
While Article 33 of the Mexican Constitution guarantee's my deportation for any comments or participation in the political affairs of Mexico. No Mexicans submit the way I do, (living under Mexican laws,) which require I provide bank account information, minimum monthly income (from sources outside Mexico,) and background check for my FM 3 non-immigrant status.
This May Day will be used to demonstrate their dislike for American Immigration Laws in cities all over the United States. Major street protest to show the Gringos how upset they are at our laws for building a life without meeting the legal entry requirements.
The choice of May Day to protest is just as poor as their decision to wave the Mexican Flag during their initial protest. It has the impact of a wake up call, that the hoards of illegal immigrants are in the country and calling the shots, demanding citizenship simply because they are there.
The fact that billions of dollars leave America to support their families here, which is the 2nd highest income after oil revenue, says much about this serious situation. I have seen the fantastic work ethic by Mexicans abroad, now if they would just abide the law as they do the dollar, they are welcome, as they are an asset to any country.
 David Lord served in Vietnam as combat Marine for 1st Battalion 26th Marines, during which time he was severely wounded. He received the Purple Heart and the Presidential Unit Citation for his actions during the war in Vietnam. In Mexico, David now represents all veterans south of the U.S. border all the way to Panama, before the V.A. and the Board of Veterans Appeals. David Lord provides service to veterans at no fee. Veterans are welcome to drop in and discuss claims/benefits to which they are entitled by law at his office located at Bayside Properties, 160 Francisca Rodriguez, tel.: 223-4424, call him at home 299-5367, on his cell: 044 (322) 205-1323, or email him at mophmx@@yahoo.com or david.lord@yahoo.com.
Click HERE for more Veteran Affairs with David Lord »»» |
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