Comments on: Gupta on the TB scare http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2007/05/gupta-on-tb-scare.html Tue, 14 Feb 2012 11:46:00 +0000 hourly 1 By: jbhttp://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2007/05/gupta-on-tb-scare.html#comment-75755 jb Sun, 03 Jun 2007 14:42:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2007/05/gupta-on-the-tb-scare.html#comment-75755 So much wrong in such a short article. The fact that this one case makes headlines in a world where millions of people fly all over means that such a failure, if it is a failure, is extraordinarily rare. Public health deals by definition with populations, not individuals. A single "failure" out of a population of millions is a screaming success. After looking at the science, he concludes that the likelihood of anyone else getting sick is minimal, but because some people are concerned, confused, worried, or anxious, this is a failure.<br/><br/>What if there were 10 cases, he asks. Or smallpox, or bioterrorism ? What if alligators crawl out of the sewer and bite your ass while you are on the toilet? Another failing of the public health system, no doubt.<br/><br/>Give me a break. So much wrong in such a short article. The fact that this one case makes headlines in a world where millions of people fly all over means that such a failure, if it is a failure, is extraordinarily rare. Public health deals by definition with populations, not individuals. A single “failure” out of a population of millions is a screaming success. After looking at the science, he concludes that the likelihood of anyone else getting sick is minimal, but because some people are concerned, confused, worried, or anxious, this is a failure.

What if there were 10 cases, he asks. Or smallpox, or bioterrorism ? What if alligators crawl out of the sewer and bite your ass while you are on the toilet? Another failing of the public health system, no doubt.

Give me a break.

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