Reply #107: You're describing one of the biggest problems of all [View All]

[AikidoSoul]

because government agencies often ignore important public health issues that may shrink their funding... or threaten corporate supports and perks. Gov. officials also exaggerate problems to create a sense of urgency and fear -- to increase their funding.

It was like that in FL during the West Nile Virus "epidemic" when state officials made statements that scared the crap out of people... like saying that "15% of people infected with WNV die..."

Irresponsible!

What this particular top official failed to add is context and perspective -- she failed to say that 15% was a worldwide incident figure counting deaths all over the world. West Nile Virus has existed in the bleakest regions of the world for decades striking millions in poverty stricken areas devastated by hunger and malnutrition... and populations already devastated with compromised immune systems.

These state officials also failed to mention that if you have a functioning immune system that chances are extremely small that you will feel any effects at all. They also failed to say that in the U.S. people with AIDS, cancer, people on immunosuppressive drugs, or the very old and very young -- are most susceptible.

Then they funded a huge pesticide spraying program with pesticides that are known to -- suppress the immune system!!