Is Texas Prepared for a Public Health Emergency?
A man who may have had contact with 100 other people is in isolation at a Dallas hospital after being diagnosed with Ebola, a deadly virus that has killed more than 3,000 people in West Africa. Two weeks ago, El Paso officials said more than 700 infants may have been exposed to a hospital aide with tuberculosis. And in July, the first case of chikungunya, a virus spread by mosquitoes, arrived in Texas.
State officials say Texas' response teams are well-equipped to handle these cases and other potential public health crises. But the surge of recent threats here is ...
Comments (27)
Michael Varela via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I guess Perry isn't interested in any secession talk these days.
Neil Moyer via Texas Tribune on Facebook
NO!!!
Diane Treider via Texas Tribune on Facebook
We don't need no stinkin regulations, EPA, CDC, strong State Fire Marshall or Dept of Health. The Texas Lege will get to more "women's health" bills next session.
Herve Abrams via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Small government is best, right?
Jim Vance
We'll find out pretty soon if Texas is prepared and capable, unfortunately.
Carolyn M. Appleton via Texas Tribune on Facebook
We probably aren't prepared, but I expect we will be fairly soon, smiles.
Michele Collier Norrid via Texas Tribune on Facebook
But Perry keeps telling us that Texas is more than prepared......
Laurie Sargent Parry via Texas Tribune on Facebook
every year, thousands of people die from the common FLU (not Ebola) -- https://www.facebook.com/Vox/photos/a.232848736902736.1073741828.223649167822693/286658221521787/?type=1
Gayland Williams via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Those health care cuts made by the GOP are going to come home to roost.
Victoria Hammond via Texas Tribune on Facebook
The current coverage on CNN indicates that the public health response in Dallas is a disaster. They have not helped the woman and her children in the apartment clean up, dispose of waste, or even get food.
Roary Ridein via Texas Tribune on Facebook
OMG!!! This picture makes it look like ALL of TEXAS has Ebola.... IT IS ONE PERSON IN DALLAS AND HE IS SECURE AND BEING TREATED..... HATE THE NEWS MEDIA....
Cynthia L Spanhel via Texas Tribune on Facebook
The answer seems to be NO!
Literacy Coalition of Central Texas via Texas Tribune on Facebook
And don't forget low health literacy, which is the backbone of public health lack of awareness, adherence to mesages. 1 in 5 Texans can't read a medicine bottle so it's easy to see why they can't keep themselves and their families healthy. Especially when public health/health info in general is delivered in mostly 10th grade levels and higher. All people need to do their part & work to be better prepared patients, but I think the bigger share of the change belongs to healthcare systems. Here's what the Literacy Coalition is doing to address the need: https://www.willread.org/our-services/health-literacy
Laura Alpert via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Short answer: No, Texas is not prepared...and the current government has no interest in becoming prepared... Vote them out in November !
Jonathan D Borazjani via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Since people don't have healthcare, hospitals will go bankrupt. Or just droves of people will die on the street...and since the hospitals will be bankrupt, because we didn't pass Obamacare, no body, that can't get out of Texas, will be safe.
Sarah E. Williams via Texas Tribune on Facebook
A public health emergency is when thousands of people are dying like what's happening in West Africa right now. Stop inciting fear with this crap "journalism".
James Clarence Bratton Sr. via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Ol" Dick Perry Seems To Think So !
Joan Hardy via Texas Tribune on Facebook
This Ebola scare should make some people rethink their aversion to universal health care. People without healthcare are going to wait until they are really sick to go to the hospital....
Melissa Brazell Geralds via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Too many egos to work together.
Bill Blackmon via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Here's the Tea Party's 'unifying construct' - if you get sick and don't have any money, go someplace that likes Obama and die. We like to keep it simple down here in Texas - it goes well with our Lone Star Lifestyle.
Jackie L. Taylor via Texas Tribune on Facebook
No
Vicente Lozano
When there is public safety and a common good that goes beyond profit, this is where libertarianism, crony capitalism, and free market individualism fail.
Dallas is scrambling. Perry can't get in front of the podium fast enough, to show us he's in charge. This, in a state with a radically underfunded health care system.
All the toll roads, sports franchise tax breaks, and sweetheart business incentive funds can morally address this basic problem of civic interdependence.
Vicente Lozano
When there is public safety and a common good that goes beyond profit, this is where libertarianism, crony capitalism, and free market individualism fail.
Dallas is scrambling. Perry can't get in front of the podium fast enough, to show us he's in charge. This, in a state with a radically underfunded health care system.
All the toll roads, sports franchise tax breaks, and sweetheart business incentive funds can't morally address this basic problem of civic interdependence.
Tom Sweazea via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Texas is so woefully unprepared for ANY emergency due to GOTeaparty disassembly of sound, logical procedures, all to make rich people richer.
Richard Hamel via Texas Tribune on Facebook
There are no profits to be found in preparation for exotic diseases. It was strictly a business decision. They're sure we'll understand.
Rick Bentley via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I know I felt reassured after hearing Pointy Boots tell us he has it under-control. [eye roll].
Robert Cuthbertson via Texas Tribune on Facebook
This smells of disaster!!!