Carol Anne Costa: God Help Us
Carol Anne Costa, GoLocalProv MINDSETTER™
Carol Anne Costa: God Help Us
Not one to be a doom and gloom type personality, my propensity for the upside is slightly wavering. It seems Ebola, germs in general and ISIS are revealing large gaps in our usually sturdy American armor. But, like the America I know, Congress will roll up their sleeves, right the ship and get ahead of these terrible times, right?
Pray Away the Lethargy
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTSo, God I have a special prayer it goes like this: “Dear God, please inspire Congress to rush back to Washington and begin full throated debates on how to degrade and destroy ISIS. Please help them listen to and evaluate the intelligence or lack there of, from our military leaders. Also God, give them the strength to bring the State Department into Congressional hearings to ferret out exactly what diplomatic measures are taking hold and what new members of the coalition are ready to go forth to eliminate the threat that is ISIS. And God, please help them be truthful with a war weary public who is growing more weary of beheadings and the constant threat of violence. Give them the will along with their collective experience, knowledge and power to move to action. Grant them the wisdom and foresight to work together and with the administration. Dearest God, show them a path to common ground.”
With so many people facing deadly diseases both at home and abroad, our sense of vulnerability has become heightened. The reality is, ebola has hit our shores, but the truth is Enterovirus D68 has also taken young lives and the flu will hit us again bringing a death toll upwards of 36,000. So I ask you, God, Why did you make such deadly bugs so invisible and sneaky with long incubation periods? This is very worrisome and frankly we are scrambling around to defend ourselves. But, in the scramble we are blaming, finger pointing and not keeping our eyes fully trained on the bugs. So I have another prayer; “God, please let doctors, microbiologists and scientists be leaders in the fight against disease. Let medicine’s wisdom and smarts permeate the public’s understanding of these microscopic killers. Please help people better perceive that fear and isolationism will not eradicate the Ebola virus, only evolving medicine and practices will. Raise awareness in the public that the flu is much more deadly here in the U.S. than Ebola. Help people to be patient with the healthcare system, as this is a new one for us. Please protect the health care workers here and in West Africa that they may constantly improve level of protection in dealing with Ebola, in turn helping all of us do a better job in fending off germs. Give strength to those fighting any sickness passed from human contact. Provide growing knowledge to battle these pathogens. Permit the political industrial complex to avoid making the battle against disease a mere talking point. Give us the power to understand and give the World Health Organization and the CDC the tools they need to push back these outbreaks.”
One More Thing
God, there is one more thing on my mind, I am not sure a prayer alone will help so I will just put it on your radar. I can’t help but remember that when bad things like these happen people often turn to the government for help; aids, Katrina, Sandy are demonstrative of the need for a robust government ready to respond with talent and compassion. In the past the responses were generally void of politicizing matters which directly impact citizens. That has changed a great deal of late. The CDC’s budget was slashed with cuts, sequestration and a government shutdown, but as we see now those cuts have implications. Additionally we do not have a Surgeon General, that may have helped to channel resources and develop a better answer for our pending troubles. So if you can keep your eyes on this, I would be grateful . I’m asking for some guidance in these scary matters. Any help, confidence, wisdom, patience and luck is greatly appreciated. Thanks for listening God, I’ll be waiting. Sincerely, Carol
Timeline of Ebola in the US
October 17
Nurses Union Says RI Not Prepared for Ebola
The United Nurses and Allied Professionals are concerned that Rhode Island is not prepared to deal with a possible Ebola outbreak.
The UNAP will announce will announce the results of an internal survey of members meant to gauge Rhode Island’s Ebola Virus response capabilities on Monday, according to union president Linda McDonald, RN.
“As the voice of frontline caregivers, we remain very concerned about Rhode Island’s level of preparedness to respond to the Ebola virus,” McDonald said.
“While political leaders are assuring the public that our state is ready, those of us who work in Emergency Rooms and at hospital bedsides are beginning to tell a very different story. Our members are raising serious concerns about a lack of training, uniform protocol and access to appropriate protective equipment for health care professionals,” McDonald said.
July 31
Ebola Outbreak: How Prepared is Rhode Island?
On this date, over 700 recent Ebola-related deaths in West Africa had been confirmed, making it the deadliest outbreak in the history of the disease.
Listen to the News Radio 920 report here.
August 1
Are RI Hospitals Ready for an Ebola Outbreak?
Rhode Island Hospital and South County Hospital begins to take the threat of Ebola seriously and implements proper protocol for dealing with patients exhibiting Ebola-like symptoms.
August 2
Dr. Kent Brantly Arrives in the US
The first confirmed case of Ebola in the US, Dr. Kent Brantly, arrives at Emory University Hospital for experimental treatment after contracting the virus in Liberia.
August 4
Nancy Writebol Arrives in the US
The second Ebola victim arrives at Emory University Hospital for experimental Zmapp treatment. Writebol contracted the virus in Liberia while working for the charity Samaritan’s Purse.
August 15
Director of Health Warns of Ebola Threat in Rhode Island
Dr. Michael Fine, Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH), said that the possibility of Ebola coming to Rhode Island is "very real," but says he believes that Rhode Island is well-prepared -- and that his major concerns right now are for the outbreak West Africa.
Photo: CDC
September 9
Dr. Richard Sacra, Central Massachusetts Doctor Arrives in the US
The third American to be infected with Ebola arrives at University of Nebraska Medical Center to receive a blood plasma infusion.
Photo: University of Massachusetts Medical School
September 25
Central MA Doctor Successfully Treated for Ebola Hospitalized
Central Massachusetts doctor Richard Sacra – who was successfully treated for Ebola in Nebraska – is back in the hospital with what appears to be a respiratory infection.
October 3
Providence Resident is 4th American with Ebola
The fourth American to contract the Ebola virus is a Providence resident - Ashoka Mukpo.
Photo source: Facebook
October 3
Ebola Infected Rhode Islander to be Treated in Nebraska
Providence resident Ashoka Mukpo, the fourth American to contract the Ebola virus will be treated in Nebraska, according to Rhode Island Department of Health's Chief Officer of Health Promotion Christina Batastini.
"Mukpo will not be treated at a Rhode Island hospital. He is being flown to University of Nebraska Medical Center,"said Batastini.
October 11
Ebola Concerns: Central MA Nurses Demand Higher Standards
Nina Pham, from Texas Presbyterian Hospital, is the first nurse to be diagnosed with Ebola sparking the need to take further precautions among healthcare professionals everywhere.
October 13
Ebola Update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provided an Ebola update to media on Monday, focusing on the latest case in Dallas, Texas.
Confirming the first case of Ebola contracted in America by a nurse caring for the "Dallas index patient" at Texas Presbyterian Hospital tested positive for Ebola, CDC Director Dr. Thomas Friedan said the nurse is "being cared for and is clinically stable," and referred any other questions on the patient's safety to the hospital.
October 14
Five Removed from Flight in Logan
Five passengers have been removed from a flight from Dubai by Emergency Response personel according to Tweets from passengers on the plane now grounded at Logan. None of the passengers had been to West Africa, but Massport will continue to be vigilant in disease prevention and screening.
October 15
Second Confirmed Case of Ebola Infection Originating in America
The CDC has confirmed that another employee of the Texas Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas has contracted the Ebola virus, making this the second confirmed case originating in the US.
